Landuyt 11 to go before criminal court

Eleven people involved in the Jose Landuyt case have been referred to Belgium's criminal court by the court in Kortrijk. The names include veterinarian Jose Landuyt, soigneur Herman Versele, ex-professionals Johan Museeuw, Mario De Clercq, Jo Planckaert and Chris Peers, amateurs Nico Henderickx, Olivier Penney and Birger Donie, and Georges Windels and Freddy Walraevens. They are charged with possession and/or use of illegal performance enhancing drugs, including EPO and Aranesp.

The decision comes as a surprise, as the cyclists have already been given suspensions by the Belgian cycling federation, and therefore could be punished for the same offence twice. The same happened with Frank Vandenbroucke, who managed to successfully appeal against his second sentence.

It's not known yet whether any of those charged will appeal against this decision, as they can only do so on procedural grounds. However, it remains to be seen what the criminal court decides.