Dekker positive for EPO, Wegelius gets his Tour place
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Dutch Silence-Lotto rider Thomas Dekker has failed a retroactive test for EPO carried out on a urine sample taken in December 2007.
Dekker was singled out as a result of the Union Cycliste Internationale's biological passport programme, which showed suspect blood values. The UCI has subsequently opened a disciplinary proceeding against Dekker for a potential violation.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the UCI, Dekker's haematological (blood cell) profile in 2008 and 2009 showed "convincing evidence of the use of the prohibited method of enhancement of oxygen transfer".
The statement continued: "The nature of Mr Dekker's haematological profile prompted the UCI to conduct a detailed review of the results of EPO analyses conducted on urine samples taken from him since the commencement of the biological passport programme.
"As part of this review, the UCI requested the WADA accredited laboratory in Cologne to re-examine the results of a urine sample collected from Mr Dekker in December 2007. On 30 June 2009, the Cologne laboratory reported a finding of recombinant EPO (Dynepo) in this sample.
"This result was reported in accordance with new EPO detection and reporting rules approved by the World Anti-Doping Agency in May 2009."
Silence-Lotto team manager Marc Sergeant said he was 'very disillusioned' after hearing the news.
Dekker had been selected for Silence-Lotto's Tour team, but has now been suspended by the squad pending further investigation. Britain's Charly Wegelius takes his place on the Tour team.
RELATED LINKS
Tour de France 2009 - Cycling Weekly's full coverage
Thank you for reading 10 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
Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, n exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.
-
-
Meet The Joker, a brake-less, chain-less crit racing bike
New York City-based Priority Bicycles today launched a fixed-gear, 70T belt-drive criterium and track racing machine
By Anne-Marije Rook • Published
-
Pirelli claims updated P Zero Race TLR tire is 24 per cent faster than before
The tire giant also claims that aramid fibres used improve puncture resistance. Wider tyres on the way
By Rob Spedding • Published