Schumacher gets 2 years.

Funkyzeit

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/cycling/7928676.stm

Germany's Stefan Schumacher has been banned from cycling for two years after failing a drugs test during last year's Tour de France.

Schumacher tested positive for advanced blood doping product Cera (Continuous Erythropoiesis Receptor Activator).

The rider won two time trials at the 2008 Tour and held the overall leader's yellow jersey for two days.

Schumacher was banned from competing in France for two years by French anti-doping authorities last month.

International Cycling Union (UCI) president Pat McQuaid told a news conference: "Schumacher is now banned from activity from 22 January 2009 to 21 January 2011."

Italy's Leonardo Piepoli also tested positive for Cera at the 2008 Tour, and compatriot Riccardo Ricco has admitted using the substance which is a version of blood booster erythropoietin (EPO).

The three riders won five of the 21 stages during the race last July between them.

Austrian Bernhard Kohl, who won the King of the Mountains jersey as the best climber and was third overall, is another to have owned up to using Cera.

The French Anti-Doping Agency has been retesting blood samples from the race in a bid to catch more cyclists they suspect may have used Cera.

This year's Tour of Germany was cancelled following the spate of failed drugs tests.

Ciaran500

2 years?

FFS why not permenant?

Chips Lovell

Two years is the current maximum.

Diarmuid

He pulled a Landis on it too and is still denying everything

Pinarello

He should have got those two years the time he won the bronze medal in the worlds road race.High blood values from diarrahea..COME ON!!!!!!:rolleyes:

Hermy

This is good news.

sy

Hermy wrote: »

This is good news.

+1
I do think they have to consider bringing in a lifetime ban or minimum 5 years if they really serious about sorting out this ongoing problem.

E@gle.

sy wrote: »

+1
I do think they have to consider bringing in a lifetime ban or minimum 5 years if they really serious about sorting out this ongoing problem.

There was a bit of talk about upping the ban to 4 years

Funkyzeit

I know it's the easy position to take but it really should be longer. To see the likes of Basso Landis (and Lance ) in the ToCalifornia and the likes of Rasmussen to return later in the year can simply not be good for the credibility of the sport..

Slideshowbob

sy wrote: »

+1
I do think they have to consider bringing in a lifetime ban or minimum 5 years if they really serious about sorting out this ongoing problem.

Life bans are the solution long term

Take an amateur who's 18 or 19 with potential to be pro

Suppose he is at a point where he has to decide which way to go - clean or enhanced

If he knew there are life bans potentially, it would act as a total disincentive to consider doping, as it would mean he has wasted his time training and racing

A ban of a few months or years means there is a way back into the sport so he may weigh up the risks and decide it is worth taking

I understand there are legal issues with instantly introducing a life ban as for someone caught it would instantly take away a livelihood. I think that's why they are trying to introduce it gradually with a long lead-in