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Belgian cyclocross star Toon Aerts, who earlier this week obtained a two-year doping ban after testing optimistic for the testosterone-boosting drug Letrozole, has launched a scathing critique of the UCI’s dealing with of his case, together with sending the governing physique a “massive and heartfelt center finger”.
The 29-year-old, a number one determine on the cyclocross circuit for a lot of the previous decade, failed an out-of-competition test for Letrozole in January 2022, every week and half earlier than he completed sixth on the cyclocross world championships in Fayeteville, Arkansas, received by Tom Pidcock.
On Friday, after a prolonged investigation, the UCI suspended him for two years, backdated to February 2022 (which means he’ll miss the approaching ‘cross season), and stripped him of any outcomes obtained between 19 January and 5 February 2022.
> Toon Aerts set to receive two-year ban for positive anti-doping test
The substance Aerts examined optimistic for, Letrozole, is primarily used to dam oestrogen throughout the remedy of breast most cancers, however can be utilized in a sporting context to assist increase the manufacturing of testosterone. It’s regarded by the UCI as a specified substance, which means it doesn’t include an computerized provisional suspension, although Aerts determined to droop himself whereas he ready his defence.
Regardless of claiming that he was a sufferer of contamination by means of a meals complement, the UCI dominated that “after an intensive examination of the case, together with a number of professional studies submitted by the Belgian rider, the Tribunal thought of that Toon Aerts had failed to determine how the prohibited substance entered his physique.”
In an announcement launched final night time, Aerts lambasted the governing physique and its remedy of “flesh-and-blood individuals”.
Remaining assertion (English) pic.twitter.com/qxn7LnJgry
— Aerts Toon (@ToAerts) August 21, 2023
“1.5 years I needed to anticipate this ultimate verdict,” he stated. “I could have typed within the phrase Letrozole on Google 5,000 occasions throughout this era… hoping to seek out the lacking piece of the puzzle. However we didn’t discover it. Now the place on earth did it come from? I nonetheless don’t know precisely how this received into my physique. However I can’t blame myself. I threw hundreds of euros at it, visited a number of universities, had a number of studies written by consultants… and within the meantime I simply stored working, biking, and educating.
“By no means was I invited by the UCI or given the possibility to talk to anybody bodily. Every part was through e mail or registered mail. We had been all the time certain by tight deadlines to answer inside just a few days, which frequently included holidays. However alternatively, we all the time needed to wait weeks, typically months, earlier than we might obtain something again.
“Ready, ready, ready… I feel they generally overlook that riders are additionally simply flesh-and-blood individuals.”
(Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com)
He continued: “It has additionally grow to be clear to me over the previous few months that the ‘presumption of innocence’ merely doesn’t exist right here. I believed this was a fundamental proper… We tried to clarify every thing we knew ourselves as transparently as potential and to substantiate it scientifically. This confirmed with 100% certainty that I’m not a aware doping consumer. You then not less than hope for widespread sense from the individuals on the opposite aspect… However there simply isn’t any. The authorized framework is sacred.
“I by no means took doping and ever even thought of it. After a yr and a half in a authorized tug-of-war, now portrayed as a cheater. Together with my total household and surrounds abruptly labelled losers. It hurts and it doesn’t really feel proper.
“Properly right here UCI, a bit and heartfelt center finger! You possibly can have made us the happiest individuals on earth… However who’s Toon Aerts within the massive circus of biking?”
Aerts concluded by referencing the case of fellow Belgian rider Shari Bossuyt, who also tested positive for Letrozole in June, and who’s at present suspended by her Canyon-Sram staff because the investigation into her case continues. Like Aerts, the 22-year-old claims she is a sufferer of contamination.
“I solely hope my case rings a bell with everybody,” he wrote, “as a result of I’m holding my coronary heart for riders and athletes who might undergo precisely the identical factor. My coronary heart is bleeding for Shari who’s in the identical state of affairs.”
Aerts additionally confirmed he’ll “undoubtedly be again” racing when his suspension ends on 16 February subsequent yr.
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