Leukemans stands alone

By Susan Westemeyer

Björn Leukemans was not surprised that Team Predictor-Lotto fired him for his positive doping test, but said that it "still was quite a blow."

He told sporza.be that now he must wait for his hearing before the Vlaamse Gemeenschap (Flemish Community) on January 10, while continuing to protest his innocence. "I have nothing to confess, therefore I can confess nothing."

He said that he feels alone and abandoned. "I only know that I stand alone," he continued. "I have relied on my family and friends. And some of them have disappeared, too. That is life, right? But it is hard. I have learned a lot from this. Many people have surprised me in a negative way."

The 30 year-old said he doesn't now know what his future will hold. "I don't know whether I will return if I am acquitted. First, I will have to think about it all. At this moment, I don't see any sense in cycling. But I am continuing to train."