The disciplinary commission of the Vlaamse Gemeeenschap (Flemish Community) has given Björn...
Björn Leukemans (Image credit: Brecht Decaluwé)
The disciplinary commission of the Vlaamse Gemeeenschap (Flemish Community) has given Björn Leukemans a two year suspension for using testosterone, beginning February 14. The former Team Predictor-Lotto (now Silence-Lotto) rider indicated that he would appeal the ban.
Leukemans, 30, tested positive in an unannounced out-of-competition test shortly before the World Championships. He claimed that the positive test was due to a medication prescribed by a team doctor The team fired both Leukemans and the doctor.
The Commission was not persuaded by arguments that he relied on the doctor's advice and was therefore innocent. "Even if the product is prescribed by a doctor, the rider still remains responsible for what he is administered," it ruled.
The rider did not give a comment on the ban, but his lawyer, Kristof de Saedeleer, told Sporza.be, "He is totally disillusioned. He has lost all faith in other people. However, there is no doubt that we will file an appeal. We find the sanction out of proportion."
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Laura Weislo has been with Cyclingnews since 2006 after making a switch from a career in science. As Managing Editor, she coordinates coverage for North American events and global news. As former elite-level road racer who dabbled in cyclo-cross and track, Laura has a passion for all three disciplines. When not working she likes to go camping and explore lesser traveled roads, paths and gravel tracks. Laura specialises in covering doping, anti-doping, UCI governance and performing data analysis.
