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Dutch cyclocross racer, Denise Betsema, tested positive last year for anabolic steroid use on two occasions, and suspended for six months. Now she is returning to the CX circuit with the same team, and no loss of UCI points.
What the hell’s up with that?!?
From road.cc:
Betsema was handed a ban starting on the 5th April 2019 and finishing on the 4th October 2019; for a cyclocross rider this is effectively the off-season, as no races of any importance take place.
The Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal rider accepted the sanction, but has always maintained her innocence, saying in an Instagram post: "I have never used prohibited drugs and have never been tested positive throughout the year".
I am disappointed and dumbfounded. She has shown no remorse, having always maintained her innocence, yet has offered no explanation of how she might have tested positive. Indeed, all of her results prior to her positive tests seem highly suspicious.
I can’t remember a case that seemed so blatant, and in which the athlete has seemed to get away with everything practically unscathed. Not even the UCI seem interested in investigating further. Is it just because she “accepted the sanction” that she can pretend as if nothing happened?
How is it possible? It all seems really, really suspicious.
Are we focusing on the athlete or the process?
If the process has been followed correctly, can't knock the athlete, but the process needs looking at
Isn't she the person that said the Steroids weren't hers? Think I read something on Cyclocross Mag about it the other day..
The process here really does sound a bit off. A ban effectively during the off season?
Are we focusing on the athlete or the process?
Both in this instance. I could be very wrong, but she seems a bit callous. The other riders have expressed their fury that she has been allowed back, yet she has been gleefully posting on Instagram with no reference at all to her suspension. I don’t know what she could have said, of course, but it seems weird that she never even slowed in her self-promotion.
As for the process, it seems to have been pretty lenient in this case. Not even docking her points? I mean, they suspended her because they believe her accomplishments were ill-gained. Why would they let her maintain her standing upon return? I just don’t remember anyone getting convicted of doping, and returning the way she has.
And I say that as some who really wanted to like her as an athlete.
She explained how she tested positive and, apparently it was accepted by her federation hence the short ban. Her suspension was back dated to when she was provisionally suspended after the positive tests. As these were taken towards the end of the Cx season it was always going to include a big chunk of cx off season. Afaik uci don’t differentiate between cx and road seasons for bans. I’m not sure they can remove points if there’s no positive test at the race or if it’s before a backdated suspension but someone else may be more clued up.
I just don’t remember anyone getting convicted of doping, and returning the way she has.
New to pro cycling?
At least she didn't smash the testing equipment to prevent a sample from being tested! Lance didn't even go that far!
I think the whole sanction process is weak and sends out the wrong message.
Does she still get tested while she's suspended? If not, be prepared for some fantastic results!
@kilo, can you remember what her explanation was, or where I might find it? It’s just that I remember when it was first announced, many of her fellow riders being furious, and not hearing an explanation.
And no, I’m not new to pro cycling. It’s just the doping stories stand out more now than they used to, and I have found this one particularly strange.
can’t knock the athlete
You bloody well can. She knew what she was getting into and still did it. I'm not normally authoritarian and I believe in people getting lots of chances in life but there's no way you can dope without it being cynical and fully aware cheating.
Contaminated supplement apparently, bits on compton’s twitter seemingly based on a Dutch article say an unopened pack was examined by uci and found to be contaminated hence short ban
I am disappointed and dumbfounded. She has shown no remorse, having always maintained her innocence, yet has offered no explanation of how she might have tested positive. Indeed, all of her results prior to her positive tests seem highly suspicious.
You don't get a six month ban for systematic doping offences. It's four years. There has to be VERY STRONG evidence to support a contamination defence and this will be mitigating for the ban. Provision of a contaminated supplement with the same batch number would qualify. She has received the appropriate sanction.
Professional athletes can have access to (very expensive) thoroughly tested supplements. Not everyone might be able to afford these. Pro teams will, of course.
I've just worked on a case in another sport with contamination for anabolic steroids.
Contaminated supplement apparently, bits on compton’s twitter seemingly based on a Dutch article say an unopened pack was examined by uci and found to be contaminated hence short ban
Then I might take my statement back...
Then I might take my statement back…
You'll never make it as a proper anti-doping troll with an attitude like that. You need to double down with some stuff about there being no smoke without fire and a bit of innuendo about Dutch cycling generally and Jumbo Visma in particular 🙂
You also need to point out that her GP is the notorious Dr Zhivago, who it's rumoured worked with the infamous Doctor Finlay, well know for his association with the Tutti Frutti Vanutti Team which was busted wide open at the 1997 Giro before the results were swept under the carpet. Coincidence? Hmmm...
We don't EVER talk about doping at the Giro. Only at the Tour. And only by Americans.
Anyone found doping at the Giro is a bloody hero
Rather than trying to ban pros from this sort of thing, which they always seem to wriggle out of, or come up with "contaminations", or "someone else's water bottle", or some medical reason etc.
Just ban them for unsporting behaviour.
It's a sport, get judged by your peers to behave in an unsporting way, get banned for life.
Fans need to complain to the sponsors, not the useless officials that fail to stop this sort of thing.
It’s a sport, get judged by your peers to behave in an unsporting way, get banned for life.
No it's a business with a legal framework that underpins it. Mind you, banning RUSSIA for life...
Why can't they stop athletes using supplements?
They should make them only eat ginsters pasties and bacon sandwiches.....
Just ban them for unsporting behaviour.
It’s a sport, get judged by your peers to behave in an unsporting way, get banned for life.
That seems very fair 🙂