The Belgian team confirmed their withdrawal to Cyclingnews and said further information will be given later on Sunday. The MPCC confirmed the two new cases of low cortisol in a statement after French sports newspaper L’Equipe revealed that the riders were tested on Saturday evening.
"These voluntary tests have been performed in collaboration with French Cycling Association (FFC) and French Cycling League (LNC). It was found that 2 cortisol level were below the voluntary MPCC norm. In each case the physician in charge of the team prescribed a minimum of 8 days of non-competition to the rider," the MPCC said in its statement, also giving background information on the tests.
Unusual low cortisol levels do not violate UCI or WADA rules, however the MPCC’s article 9 requires that a rider sits out from racing for a minimum of eight days as a health precaution. Low cortisol levels can point to the use of cortisone or be due to other health problems. Cortisone abuse has been a serious problem in the past because it is difficult to detect and can be hidden by medical needs.
In recent years the stringent MPCC rules have clashed with those of the UCI and WADA and the desire of the teams to continue in races while also basking the credibility MPCC membership has carried.
Last year the Astana team ignored the MPCC rules when Lars Boom was found with a low cortisol level before the Tour de France. The team was subsequently kicked out of the MPCC. Other teams have also fallen foul of the stringent MPCC rules in recent years and have left or been forced out of the organisation. Several of the biggest WorldTour teams have always refused suggestions that they should be a part of the MPCC.
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