Lotto-Soudal rider Tosh Van der Sande suspended after positive test at Ghent Six Day
The team say the Belgian tested positive for a permitted substance, but the rider has still been suspended
Tosh Van der Sande has been suspended by Lotto-Soudal after he returned a positive test during the Ghent Six Day in November.
The team say the Belgian returned a positive test for a permitted substance, but they have still taken the decision to suspend him.
Van der Sande has ridden his entire career for Lotto, joining in 2012.
The rider announced his positive test to the team on Wednesday, when bosses took the decision to suspend him.
>>> Spanish team Burgos-BH suspended by UCI after doping scandals
According to the team, the unnamed substance occurs in a nasal spray that is permitted providing a rider mentions it during a doping test.
The team is now expecting a UCI investigation.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
A statement from Lotto-Soudal, released on Wednesday, said: “Today Lotto-Soudal was notified by its rider Tosh Van der Sande of a positive doping test during the Six Days of Ghent where he took part between November 12 and 18, 2018.
“The substance is a permitted one and occurs in the nasal spray Sofrasolone, that is freely available to be used in competition of mentioned during a control.
“After a meeting with the rider, the board has decided to suspend him, in expectation of the investigation executed by the UCI and to allow the rider to underpin his defence in the best possible way.
“Lotto-Soudal will give no further explanations until the UCI procedure has terminated.”
Van der Sande, 28, has ridden six Grand Tours for Lotto – four times the Vuelta a España and twice the Giro d’Italia.
He rode the Ghent Six Day in November alongside team-mate Jasper De Buyst, the duo finishing in third place.
The event was won by Deceuninck-Quick – Step pairing Elia Viviani and Iljo Keisse.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers. Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
Forget distance covered, these are the key stats to note in your Strava Year in Sport
We asked a coach how to best analyse our end of year Strava data
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'She should show a bit more respect' - Lotte Kopecky responds to Demi Vollering comments
The pair seemingly had one last fractious year together at SD Worx-Protime in 2024
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Irish Continental level professional cyclist suspended after EPO positive
Jesse Ewart, who rode for Terengganu Cycling, has been banned until 2027
By Adam Becket Published
-
Convicted EPO doper Jarlinson Pantano returns to cycling with Colombian EPM team
Former Trek-Segafredo and IAM Cycling rider rejoins peloton after his four-year band expires
By Adam Becket Published
-
‘Current WorldTour system is killing all the smaller teams,’ says Reinardt Janse van Rensburg
South African ex-Lotto Soudal rider fears more teams could find themselves in B & B Hotels-KTM situation if the system doesn’t change
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Caleb Ewan ‘not going anywhere’ after team's relegation, says Lotto-Soudal
Spokesperson for Belgian team says that Ewan has expressed desire to stay and lead the team in 2023
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
American cyclist Jackson ’Huntley’ Nash handed lifetime ban after doping violations
USADA hand down penalty after multiple offences discovered by investigation
By Adam Becket Published
-
‘It's not been a great Tour for the sprinters’ - Caleb Ewan rues bad luck at the Tour de France after heavy crash on stage 13
Lotto Soudal sprinter involved in nasty crash with a teammate midway through stage into Saint-Étienne
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I’m still having to pinch myself a little bit, what a ride!' : Reinardt Janse van Rensburg’s journey to a sixth Tour de France
The 33 year old South African rider feared his career was over before Lotto Soudal came calling.
By Tom Thewlis Last updated
-
Lotto Soudal pins Tour de France hopes on 'one of the fastest riders of the peloton', Caleb Ewan
Caleb Ewan, Philippe Gilbert, Andreas Kron and Tim Wellens all make the team's Tour de France lineup
By Tom Thewlis Published