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BMC Racing's Greg Van Avermaet cleared of doping charges

Belgian Cycling's disciplinary commission exonerates rider who was third at both Flanders and Roubaix last month ...

Greg Van Avermaet, who finished third at both the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix last month, has been cleared of doping charges by Belgian Cycling’s disciplinary commission.

The 29-year-old stood accused of using cortisone – he admitted having done so in 2012 under prescription to treat a heel injury – and the children’s medicine Vaminolact, which he denied ever using.

He was also suspected of having links to Dr Chris Mertens, currently under investigation for providing athletes with ozone therapy.

Van Avermaet, who faced a ban of up to two years, admitted using cortisone in 2012 after receiving a prescription to treat a heel problem, but his defence proved he had never taken Vaminolact.

In a statement, Belgian Cycling said that its disciplinary commission, “responsible for doping issues, declares the rider Greg Van Avermaet not guilty of the charges laid against him and as a result says there is no reason to impose any disciplinary sanction whatsoever on hm.”

Jim Ochowicz, president and general manager of the Belgian rider’s BMC Racing Team, said the decision justified the team continuing to let Van Avermaet ride, including at last weekend’s Tour de Yorkshire.

"We never doubted Greg's innocence," he said. "We are pleased with the decision."

Van Avermaet added: "I am happy this nightmare is over. This has been a hard period for me.

“Finally, I can focus only on cycling. I want to thank my friends, family and the BMC Racing Team, who supported me."

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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7 comments

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fukawitribe | 9 years ago
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A couple of guys have been banned in relation to the Mertens inquiry, and a couple let off. What attributes of the various cases do you think the investigators used to decide what to do to whom ?

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Kadinkski | 9 years ago
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Just rub some sand on your heel and hey presto, you're all set for doping. Whole thing is a fucking farce.

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Colin Peyresourde | 9 years ago
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Ochowicz?! I thought his career would be dead and buried after Lance. Cant say I believe them. But is he much different from his competition?

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Colin Peyresourde | 9 years ago
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Ochowicz?! I thought his career would be dead and buried after Lance. Cant say I believe them. But is he much different from his competition?

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manmachine | 9 years ago
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 41  41  41
I love it
 24  24  24

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kierankirk1997 | 9 years ago
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I wonder how kittels been I'll for 4 months ???

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ianrobo | 9 years ago
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Oh what a surprise, he was medicated a banned drug and gets off

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