Belgian Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Keisse, 27 year old allowed to race pending another hearing in April
The news broke earlier today, but Iljo Keisse's recent tweet sums it up: "Yessssss! Finally!! 11 days till Gent Six, that's going to get tuff…"
The never-ending saga of Iljo Keisse's doping suspension following two positives (cathine and hydrochlorothiazide) from the 2008 Gent Six has taken a big swing toward the positive for Keisse. Just eleven days before his beloved hometown Six Day, Keisse was cleared to race following a ruling in favor of Keisse by the Court of Appeals in Brussels today reports Sporza and many other newssources.
The ruling permits Keisse to race again with no worries until his next appearance in court when a final decision will be made, which will be April 11, 2011, the day after Paris-Roubaix.
The pendulum has now swung in favor of Keisse, but it has been a long and winding road so far. Keisse tested positive in 2008 and was sentenced to a two year suspension. Keisse appealed and showed that the positives were caused by cold medication, which led to an acquittal at home in Belgian. WADA was unsatisfied with the ruling and took Keisse to the CAS, where the CAS ruled in favor of WADA, thus reinstating the suspension. Keisse countered again, but ran into a number of pitfalls, including one recent judge, who ruled that he was not fit to decide. The Court of Appeals was Keisse's last ditch hope of a new ruling, and the good news came through just in time for the former Gent Six winner and last year's runner-up to take part in the year's biggest Six Day.
When asked by Sporza about how he felt to return to competition at his favorite race, Keisse was overjoyed.
"It gives me enormous pleasure. Whether I will be physically ready to go is another matter. I have had no competition and over the last few months I have experienced difficult times. It will not be easy, but I will do my best. I for one am very driven now that I'm back."
The case is far from over though, as Keisse is set to return to court in April for a final, final ruling. Keisse's early return to racing from his two year suspension might not do him too much good in the search for a team for the 2011 season though. The rider's suspension was due to conclude on August 6, 2011, but with the next court date looming in April, what team will pick up the rider who still stands a fair chance of heading back to suspension following his next appointment with the law?
At the bare minimum, it's a small victory for Keisse with the great implication of allowing the embattled rider to race on the track that helped make him as a rider.
For now, the only thing on the mind of Keisse is the race that awaits him in just under two weeks. Race organizer, Patrick Sercu, is pleased to have the East Fleming back as one of his stars.
"The public will be able to embrace their favorite again at Kuipke [the track in Gent]. It's all been protracted, but now it's finally happened. Who he will be paired with in Gent, I don't know yet. I will soon contact Keisse. Wednesday, we will have a press conference to make the announcement."
Sercu won't be disturbed at the added attention and audience that will surely attend to see the embattled homeboy in action.
"Naturally, sales are rising. We have a major name to add to the event. It will be a beautiful race."