Johan Museeuw's strange SMS discussions with ex-veterinarian José Landuyt, dealing with what appear to be doping products, methods and controls, have been published by Belgian newspapers De Standaard, Het Nieuwsblad and La Dernière Heure, following on from De Morgen a few weeks ago. The messages used a simple code word system, with the now infamous "wesp" (wasp) indicating the blood-boosting product Aranesp; a "wasp's nest" meaning a course of Aranesp; a "wasmachine" (washing machine) indicating a centrifuge to measure one's own hematocrit; and "de binnenband" (inner tube) meaning in intravenous injection.
On the basis of the phone exchanges, Museeuw, who retired nearly a year ago, was banned from holding a licence by the Belgian cycling federation for two years, with another two years suspended sentence. Museeuw has always maintained his innocence and has appealed to courts against the decision of the Belgian federation.
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