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?
Read also
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.
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
claps 2visitors 2
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- It doesnt take a genius to understand that Pogi is 1 level above and Pogi is younger that Jonas, so Jonas will not win under ordinary circumstances. Pogi has to crack hard for Jonas to win. It doesn't matter whether you defend Jonas or not , facts remain facts. Jonas himself says his numbers are better than 2022/2023, so Jonas is more or less optimized and we are just see the stochastic variation due to other factors. I think he will retire along with Pedersen in WC denmarkabstractengineer13-11-2026
- They only raced each other during the 2026 Tour, but here's a few metrics to look at. Stage 3 (Granollers to Les Angles): Pogačar won the stage, finishing 2 seconds ahead of Vingegaard (2nd). Del Toro finished 24 seconds behind Stage 6 (Pau to Gavarnie-Gedre / Col du Tourmalet): Pogačar won solo, Vingegaard finished 2nd (losing 2:38), and Del Toro finished 3rd (at +2:57, finishing 19 seconds behind Vingegaard). Here, Jonas Vingegaard outclimbed Isaac del Toro by 19 seconds on the mountain stageawp13-11-2026
- your clinging to the past. Jonas was dropped by del toro many times last year and jonas never managed a climbing numers del toro did in dauphine last year -entire year. Trend is also evident theres no discussion your living in the past, its beent he same with jonas for many years now and only developing, meanwhile del toro is rising and developing greatly. This is all obvious stuff and im not even a del toro fan. No point discussing numbers or this i suspect you dont watch much now but rather think its 2022 still cause this aint hard.miguel13-11-2026
- We can go through metrics if you like, Del Toro, who I do admire and support, is not on the same level as Jonas just yet. You will see that in early 2027 if they have any crossover races. I do hope they both race the Giro. You are correct though, Jonas is getting older and will not be able to hand on much longer. I see 2027 as a good year for him. Obviously behind Tadej though.awp13-11-2026
- What wins? Are you LA operating under a pseudonym?mij13-11-2026
- My point is this - Tadej, Remco, Seixas are all the outliers. Many riders don’t hit their peak until 28. It’s way too early to write him off. And the pogi slo guy that hates him - he’s also immature. Ayuso needs time.mij13-11-2026
- Then you need to use ur eyes or head if you have cause del toro already dropped jonas two times and beat him in tdf stages already this year.. Del toro climbed(dauphine) better numbers than jonas did all year too. So ur feelings and wishful thinking doesnt amtter del toro himself has already surpassed jonas infact just facts. Its also very evident for anyone objective that Jonas is declining alot, its just the truth and super obvious.miguel13-11-2026
- None of those victories stand, so there's that,wrsty13-11-2026
- No surprise there; it is British Sycling, yes, with an S
Rafionain-Glas12-11-2026 - I like Del Toro but he's not on the level of Jonas, by a large margin.awp12-11-2026
Loading
3 Comments