Toon Aerts eyes new contract as doping ban to expire in February

Belgian cyclist Toon Aerts
Belgian cyclist Toon Aerts (Image credit: Getty Images)

Seven years ago, Toon Aerts was on the top step of the European Cyclocross Championships in Pontchâteau, scoring the first major success of his career, beating Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) and Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma). Now, he's watching the race on television, waiting out the final months of a two-year doping ban, and looking to sign a contract for next year.

In the build-up to the 2022 UCI Cyclocross World Championships, the 30-year-old tested positive in an out-of-competition test on January 19 for metabolites of the breast cancer drug letrozole, a substance that is banned because it can be used to block the feminizing effects of anabolic steroid use in men.

Laura Weislo
Managing Editor

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.