Former World Junior Champion and Visma rider returns from doping suspension

After spending a year and a half on the sidelines due to a doping suspension, Michael Hessmann is set to return to racing on Wednesday. The 23-year-old German has made the switch from Team Visma | Lease a Bike to Movistar Team, marking a fresh start as he looks to rebuild his career.

Hessmann last competed in August 2023, shortly before a doping test detected traces of Chlorthalidone, a banned substance. This type of drug helps reduce fluid retention and can also act as a masking agent, which is why its use is prohibited both in and out of competition. The results were later confirmed by a counter-analysis, leading to his immediate suspension.

At the time of his ban, Hessmann was regarded as one of Germany’s most promising young talents. A former junior world time trial champion, he had already gained valuable Grand Tour experience, finishing 33rd at the 2023 Giro d’Italia. His suspension brought his momentum to a halt, leaving uncertainty over how his career would progress.

In June 2024, the German anti-doping agency NADA reviewed his case and ruled that it was plausible Hessmann had unknowingly taken a contaminated medication, with potential sources including paracetamol, ibuprofen, or naproxen. The initial ruling required him to serve just one additional month of suspension. However, the World Anti-Doping Agency appealed the decision, arguing for a harsher punishment.

Once again, we're talking about doping in cycling. Is his case a unique one? And how do you feel about his return to competition?

Following months of deliberation, a settlement was eventually reached, allowing Hessmann to return to competition from March 14, 2025. And so, this week, the former top talent is back racing.

Now, with the suspension behind him, Hessmann will attempt to rebuild his career with Movistar, where he has the opportunity to prove himself once again in the professional peloton. His first race back will mark the beginning of a crucial period, as he looks to move past the controversy and re-establish himself at the top level of the sport.