Leukemans off the list, but not the hook

Bjorn Leukemans has been removed from the Flemish State Council's doping list. The removal of his name from the list is a positive step forward for the Belgian ex-Predictor-Lotto rider, but does not mean that he is in the clear just yet.

"I heard via the media that my name has been removed from the Flemish State Council list," Leukemans told Belgian sports website, Sports Wereld. "I have since received confirmation that this is indeed true."

The disciplinary board now has to take further measures to decide whether he will be punished for his doping violation last year. In the mean time, his removal from the list does allow him to continue racing.

Leukemans tested positive for Prasteron (synthetic Testosterone) on September 26 last year. He admitted to taking the substance, but explained that it was under advice from the then Predictor-Lotto team doctor Sam Vermeire and that he was unaware that it was a banned substance. This initially led to Leukemans being suspended for a period of two years.

An appealed lead to the State Council overturning the suspension, ruling, "there is no ban, because the punishment is in no relation to the faults committed by the accused person".