The Belgian rider Jan Kuyckx (Davitamon-Lotto) tested positive for ephedrine and norpseudoephedrine during the Ster Elektrotoer, held between June 15-18 this year. Both his A and B samples revealed excessive concentrations of both restricted substances.
26 year-old Kuyckx was informed of the findings by his team early last month and hasn't been included on any race rosters since then. Davitamon-Lotto issued a statement on Saturday, saying that the rider probably didn't have bad intentions, as he was taking pseudoephedrine to counter the effects of an allergy that was prescribed to him by a doctor. Norpseudoephedrine (also known as cathine) is closely related to pseudoephedrine, a stimulant that was formerly restricted but is now permitted by the UCI and WADA, which can be converted to norpseudoephedrine in the body.
