Stefan Schumacher leaves the doping control van after the individual time trial of stage 4 of the Tour de France 2008. photo: dpa
Stuttgart (dpa) - Following the opening of main proceedings at Stuttgart District Court, professional cyclist Stefan Schumacher remains optimistic. "I am calmly looking forward to the outcome of the proceedings," the 30-year-old announced on his homepage.
The public prosecutor's office is accusing Schumacher, who tested positive for the blood doping agent CERA at the Tour de France and the Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008, of fraud. The trial could begin this year, according to the authorities. "I will not comment further on this matter. Only this much: I will of course answer questions and help to clear things up," wrote Schumacher, who was under contract with Team Gerolsteiner in 2008. After a ban, the rider from Nürtingen, who has always denied doping despite positive findings, made his comeback in September 2010. He is currently riding for the third-class racing team Miche Guerciotti in Italy.
