Belgian Cyclocross rider plans to prove his innocence and continue racing in 2024
Toon Aerts has been hit with a 2 year ban after testing positive for Letrozole in a test that was conducted 10 days ahead of the 2021 World Cyclocross championships where he finished 6th place. Toon and his lawyers swear by his innocence.
“I have to tell the world something that I actually don’t want to. Unfortunately this week I received a letter from the UCI that no one wants to receive. It says that the UCI is proposing a 2-year suspension,” Aerts said in a press conference in Belgium, breaking down in tears several times. That means that I can start a cyclocross race again on February 16, 2024 at the latest. But I want to keep proving my innocence. This is a very severe punishment. A much too severe punishment for someone who can say with a clear conscience that he is not a doping sinner. I have never had the intention to use doping and I have never voluntarily taken doping products to improve my performance.” – Toon Aerts
Aerts now faces a 2 year ban and will likely be back in competition in February 2024.
What is Letrozole?
Letrozole is a powerful estrogen suppressing drug prescribed to breast cancer patients but is commonly used by athletes who take anabolic steroids. Letrozole keeps an athletes estrogen low so that they can use other drugs with less side effects.
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