Kortrijk, Belgium (AP) - Former world champion Johan Museeuw and six other Belgian cyclists won't find out until early next year whether they will have to stand trial on drug charges.

Museeuw, widely recognized as the top one-day specialist of the past decade, and the others are accused of possessing the endurance-boosting drugs EPO and Aranesp.

Museeuw and the others have denied the charges. The 39-year-old Museeuw, who won the world road championship in 1996, says he has never failed a doping test.

A judicial hearing into the case opened Tuesday at a local court, with defense lawyers and prosecutors submitting written arguments. A judge set the next session for Dec. 6.

"From then on it will likely take several more weeks for a decision," said prosecution spokesman Tom Janssen, who expects a final ruling in the new year.

A veterinarian, a soigneur and two couriers have also been charged in the scandal, which broke in 2003. The veterinarian, Jose Landuyt, is accused of providing Museeuw with the drugs.

Landuyt's lawyer claims a fair trial is no longer possible because of the many leaks in the national media.

"Never before in an investigation in Belgium was the secrecy of the inquiry disregarded to such an extent," defense lawyer Jef Vermassen said. "The damage to the reputation of this man and to certain riders is incredible."

The prosecution said it has extensive documentation of mobile phone text messages between Museeuw and Landuyt. The allegations center on drug possession during the summer of 2003.

Museeuw, who retired last year, was nonetheless banned for two years by the Belgian cycling federation for his alleged involvement in the scandal.

Last year, Belgian Frank Vandenbroucke was sentenced to 200 hours of community service after police found illegal performance-enhancing substances during a raid on his home in 2002.