Vandenbroucke’s cycling career still in question
Belgium cyclist Frank Vandenbroucke appeared before a disciplinary commission in Brussels on Thursday as part of his campaign to return to the saddle after an appeals court overturned his recent ban for possession of doping products. Vandenbroucke was suspended for six months by the Belgium cycling federation after prohibited substances were found at his home at the start of the season. The ban was overturned on a legal technicality by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Tuesday, but it is the Belgium authorities who have the final say on whether to accept
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By VeloNews Interactive wire services , Copyright AFP2002
Belgium cyclist Frank Vandenbroucke appeared before a disciplinary commission in Brussels on Thursday as part of his campaign to return to the saddle after an appeals court overturned his recent ban for possession of doping products.
Vandenbroucke was suspended for six months by the Belgium cycling federation after prohibited substances were found at his home at the start of the season.
The ban was overturned on a legal technicality by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Tuesday, but it is the Belgium authorities who have the final say on whether to accept CAS’ decision or maintain the original punishment.
Following Thursday’s hearing the Belgium disciplinary commission will let Vandenbroucke know his fate on July 4.
“The disciplinary commission has announced this afternoon that they’ll present their verdict next Thursday,” confirmed the cyclist’s manager, Paul De Geyter.
Vandenbroucke, 27, was handed the ban, and a 10,000 Swiss francs fine ($6000) by the Belgian federation on March 21 after EPO, Clenbuterol (an anabolic steroid) and morphine were found at his home.
Police arrived with a search warrant after they had discovered Vandenbroucke’s trainer, Bernard Sainz, in his car with a large quantity of amphetamines and syringes.
In 1999 Vandenbroucke was suspended but later reinstated by his then team Cofidis after being investigated over his association with Sainz in France for an alleged doping affair.Copyright AFP2002