Belgian cyclocross rider proclaims innocence on Twitter; replaced by Sven Vanthourenhout
Tom Meeusen (Telenet-Fidea) has admitted that he has been withdrawn from Belgium’s nine-man squad for the cyclocross World Cup race in Rome, Italy, this weekend, because he is currently subject to an anti-doping investigation. The are currently few details known, but the rider himself responded to rumours on Twitter; confirming that he us under investigation, and also proclaiming his innocence.
“To help the rumours around the world I’ll add my side of the story,” he tweeted. “I am part of a doping investigation but I stand right in my shoes [sic] and I AM NOT A CHEAT!!!!!”
The 24-year-old has yet to win a race this season and has only made two podiums, in the relatively minor races at Kalmthout and Sint-Niklaas. He suffered a rib injury after a spectacular crash in the sand dune race of Zonhoeven, in early November, forcing him to miss two weeks of racing.
More recently, however, he pulled out of the GP Sven Nys on New Year’s Day citing respiratory problems; it seems now that this was not the reason.
Meeusen’s place in the Belgian team will be taken by Sven Vanthourenhout (Crelan-Euphony).