Michel Hessman's doping case remains unresolved: "The ball is in the court of the German anti-doping agency"
CyclingSunday, 24 December 2023 at 15:00
Michel Hessmann, rider of the soon-to-be Team Visma | Lease a Bike, is still sitting on a limbo when it comes to his pro career. The German rider tested positive for a diuretic in mid-June, but there hasn't yet been a decision on whether he will receive a suspension or not.
"I would like clarity, but especially Michel wants clarity. Michel is a young rider who may have to see his dreams of a professional career fall apart," Team Visma | Lease a Bike CEO Richard Plugge told Sporza. "The ball is in the court of the German anti-doping agency, NADA. But the fact that it takes so long is frustrating for everyone."
Over six months have already past but still there is no call from the German doping authorities. Hessmann took part in the Giro d'Italia where he assisted Primoz Roglic into winning the race, and a few weeks later tested positive for a diuretic medicine.
He hasn't raced since for the Dutch team, however his contract remains until the end of 2024. Until there is a decision on the case, he will most likely remain with the team as he was an upcoming talent in the field of stage-having finished on the podium of the 2022 Tour de l'Avenir.
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- Jonas is a great rider but only rides stage races so i would have to say he & Mads are about equal now. Stage racing in general is overvalued i think... (vs the power required to win one day races)Xrider5113-05-2025
- Jonas only does stage raXrider5113-05-2025
- First goats and now great danes, all we need now is a showdown at the tour of turkey, that could maybe slide into grease. Sorry, always happens when I get tired.Mistermaumau13-05-2025
- I think this kind of thing will become quite common in future in light of the way pros have had to up their game and risk-taking. Means more precarity but also a bigger pool.Mistermaumau13-05-2025
- Its difficult to compare the two, since both are fundamentally different as cyclists. Jonas is essentially a stage racer, whereas Mads excels in classics as well as in sprint stages at GTs. At this point of time, Jonas with his two Tour wins, beating Pogacar no less, has the better credentials. If Mads wins a few monuments and some Points Jerseys, the comparison may be closer.Cooldude13-05-2025
- I thought he did quite well in that team if not for the illnesses and strings of bad luck.
KerisVroom13-05-2025 - For his sacrifice, he was rewarded with nice haircut by his team lead. It's heartwarming to see a team lead who appreciates his domestique.KerisVroom13-05-2025
- Have you gone Mads? Jeez, this is the Giro, and apart from there being other races and riders not participating, there are over 150 riders with plots and subplots, including a thing called the GC for which I doubt VERY much he’ll come into contention. Are there no other stories or topics to propose currently? Does every article have to include MP? Comparisons to Wout, to Danes, how hell fare on every single stage. Soon Pogi will start feeling like he’ll have to do some publicity stunt to become relevant again. How about updating us on how his UCI ranking is evolving with all the frenzy?Mistermaumau13-05-2025
- I wonder if Mads' resurgence has something to do with Lidl-Trek electing to go with Jonathan Milan for Tour de France, thereby relegating Mads to the Giro and missing TDF for the first time in his career. The way he's performing now, he looks like he's out to prove he's still viable as top gun.FredMan13-05-2025
- Let's not forget that Pedersen won the Worlds in Yorkshire in true North of England conditions which are hell basically, when it's bad..
leedorney12-05-2025
Knew cycling is dirtier than tennis