April 1, 2005 – 31-year-old German rider Danilo Hondo, who placed second at Milan-San Remo this year, has been suspended by his Gerolsteiner team for testing positive twice at the Tour of Murcia in early March. According to reports, Hondo was tested three times at Murcia, passing once but testing positive on the other two occasions for an undisclosed stimulant.

No other information was immediately available. Hondo dropped out of the Three Days of De Panne, which was completed yesterday, and had already cancelled his participation in the Tour of Flanders due to fever and cold symptoms. If the positive test is confirmed, the rider faces a two-year suspension and a ban from cycling’s ProTour.