Wietse Bosmans (SpotIT-Isorex), the Belgian National Champion in the Elite Without Contract category, was suspended after a doping control showed abnormal results.
Bosmans was subjected to doping control after the Belgian National Championships in Antwerp.
Bosmans finished 14th at the 2020 Belgian Championships, but that was sufficient for the Elite Without Contract Belgian National Title.
Just one week ago, Bosmans was training in Spain for Lille and Merksplas.
But one month after taking his title, he was informed his doping test showed abnormal results.
“I’m sure this is going to be nothing because I didn’t do anything wrong,” Bosmans responded, according to Wielerflits.be. “Those who know me know that. Throughout my career, I have been practicing my sport with a lot of passion and I have been doing that in a clean way. I have had to fight back countless times after bad luck and illness and I will do that now too. I know that I didn’t do anything wrong, that’s the most important thing. With the help of my family, friends and fans I was always able to fight back. I hope they will also keep believing in me now and will keep supporting me. It’s also a shame for my sponsors. I will do everything I can to prove my innocence.”
Bosmans has hired Johnny Maesschalck and Kristof De Saedeleer to represent him in the case, according to Wielerflits.be. Maesschalck represented Denise Betsema in her doping case, and helped her get a reduced 6-month sentence and return to podiums this season.
“Throughout my career, I have been practicing my sport with a lot of passion and I have been doing that in a clean way. I have had to fight back countless times after bad luck and illness and I will do that now too. I know that I didn’t do anything wrong, that’s the most important thing.” -Bosmans
Bosmans was a very talented rider in the youth categories as he became Belgian Champion U19 in 2009 and U23 in 2012. He was the main favorite for the U23 World Championships of 2012 and 2013 in Koksijde, Belgium and Louisville, Kentucky, but had to be happy with the silver medal twice. Once in 2012 in Koksijde behind Lars van der Haar and in 2013 in Louisville behind Mike Teunissen.
Wietse Bosmans had plenty of both time and air to hop the barriers on early laps. © Cyclocross Magazine
In October 2014, Bosmans was diagnosed with Lyme disease, which made his entry in the Elite category less successful than he had hoped. He came back to take victories in China and the U.S.
