22-Year-Old Pro Cyclist From Jumbo-Visma Faces Suspension for Anti-Doping Rule Violation

In the world of professional cycling, B sample of one cyclist unleashes drama that would give any Hollywood thriller a close contest. Michel Hessmann, the Jumbo-Visma rider has been confirmed for anti-doping violation. 

Having an otherwise stellar season in 2023, accomplishing victory in all three Grand Tours, the latest development has set a major setback for him as well as tarnishing the reputation of his team. This article will take you through the scandal along with other controversies surrounding the cyclist in the past. 

Inception of the doping scandal leaving cycling community in shock

Hessmann has an otherwise glorious career, having ridden for the Dutch superteam since 2020, devoted two significant years to the Development Team, and pedaled for three years in the WorldTour ranks. However, a saga has recently matured on June 14 encompassing an anti-doping test that has put the cyclist out of the competition.

Based on the reporting of the Global Cycling Network, the news was confirmed by the Anti-Doping Agency at the request of the newspaper. The result of the test confirmed the presence of a prohibited substance, “a diuretic that was confirmed in a medication.”   

In Germany, doping has been considered to be a criminal offense since 2015. Having tested positive has raised the alarm within the cycling community, making the 22-year-old cyclist’s coveted spot in the sports world volatile, increasing his liability for charges from the Public Prosecution Service (OM). 

Legal consequences that Hessman is likely to encounter

In order to encourage further investigation, at the beginning of the summer, right after the doping test, Hessman’s residence has been searched, followed by the confiscation of his electronic items. It was the initial positive result from the A sample that prompted the testing process to move to the B sample.

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As per the reports sent by the National German Anti-Doping Agency (NADA Germany), the B samples provided “sufficient evidence of a violation of anti-doping rules.” Hence, both the samples containing anti-doping substance leaves no room for doubt about the cyclist’s violation of the rules.

In this case, an anti-doping violation since it contains diuretic medicine carries a suspension of a maximum time period of up to four years as held by the policies of Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). Even though the team has yet to issue a formal statement demonstrating NADA Germany’s revelation, Hessmann remains suspended. 

Even though in Germany doping causes a three-year prison sentence, fines and penalties are much common among the athletes since nobody has served jail time. As the investigation proceeds, the professional cycling world is hooked on UCI’s decision on Michel Hessmann’s suspension owing to a direful sequel to an otherwise prosperous season. 

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