Leukemans to hear appeal results on April 22

Björn Leukemans will learn on April 22 the results of his appeal of his two-year doping ban. The doping commission of the Vlaamse Gemeenschap (Flemish Community) on Tuesday heard his appeal, and also heard from the former Lotto team doctor who had been implicated in the case.

Leukemans tested positive for testosterone last fall. He claimed that the result was due to medication prescribed by team doctor Sam Vermeire. In December, the doctor admitted prescribing the product but denied that it could cause a positive test for synthetic testosterone. Both rider and doctor were released by the team.

The Flemish Community announced a two-year suspension for Leukemans in January.

Vermeire attending the appeal hearing this week, without an attorney, to show that he has nothing to hide, according to sportwereld.be. Leukemans was also in attendance. The court ordered all in attendance not to comment on the proceedings; however, it has been reported an anonymous commission member said that the two parties were not "on the same wave length and neither was happy with the other's comments."

(Additional reporting and research provided by Susan Westemeyer and Antonio J. Salmerón.)