April 3, 2006 — An AFP report claims that the courts have rejected Spanish rider Roberto Heras’ attempt to initiate civil proceedings against his two-year doping ban. In September 2005 Heras won his fourth Tour of Spain, but after testing positive for blood-booster EPO following the penultimate stage time-trial, he was stripped of his record-breaking title and received a two-year ban from the Spanish cycling federation.

Heras’ lawyer Jose Maria Buxeda said the government-backed Spanish Committee for Sports Discipline had until the end of May to make a decision regarding his appeal. If rejected the 32-year-old Heras will consider beginning civil proceedings again on the grounds of errors in the testing procedures.

Heras was the first four-time champion of the Tour of Spain winning in 2000, 2003, 2004 and 2005, but his 2005 title was disallowed.