SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – Former elite cyclist Tammy Thomas will be tried later this month on perjury charges after a judge refused to toss out her case Wednesday.

Strategies for both sides emerged during an hourlong hearing in which U.S. District Court Judge Susan Illston and attorneys hammered out the contours of the trial, scheduled to start March 24 and serve as somewhat of a beta test for home run king Barry Bonds who’s also accused of perjury.

Bonds and Thomas are accused of lying to a federal grand jury about taking the steroid THG, which was designed by chemist Patrick Arnold.

When Bonds and Thomas testified in late 2003, THG had not yet been listed by the federal government as an illegal steroid. Arnold also is alleged to have provided Thomas with another “designer” steroid that was unlisted at the time of her testimony.

“Neither were listed at the time,” said Thomas’ attorney Ethan Balogh. “We think that’s relevant.”

Ted Cassman, one of Bonds’ six attorneys, attended the hearing Wednesday and took notes while sitting in the gallery. He declined comment afterward.

Bonds has pleaded not guilty to four counts of perjury and one count of obstruction. Thomas has pleaded not guilty to five perjury counts and one obstruction charge.

Illston on Wednesday said the prosecutors could call Dr. Margaret Wierman to testify about examining Thomas in 2000. Wierman wrote in Thomas’ medical records that the cyclist grew a beard and experienced voice changes after using steroids. Prosecutors intend to show the jury that Thomas underwent extraordinary growth caused by steroid use.

Thomas and Bonds are among 11 people charged in connection with an infamous drug ring centered at the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative that catered to elite athletes.

Eight people have pleaded guilty to drug charges, perjury or obstruction, including track star Marion Jones who admitted to lying to investigators about using steroids.