Leukemans appeals two-year suspension

By Susan Westemeyer

Björn Leukemans is officially appealing the two-year ban handed down to him by the Vlaamse Gemeenschap (Flemish Community) after he tested positive last year to using testosterone. The 30 year-old tested positive shortly before last year's World Championships while riding for the Predictor-Lotto squad and was handed the two year ban - scheduled to commence from February 17 - last week.

"The papers for the disciplinary committee are going out the door today," he told Het Laatste Nieuws.

He continued to maintain his innocence, blaming his positive test on a product given him by a team doctor. He tested positive for testosterone in an unannounced out-of-competition control shortly before the World Championships in September.