In an article in a Belgian newspaper, representatives of Beke presented
their case. "We expected to have a problem one day because of the high
percentage of red blood cells in his hematocrit as a result of his training
at high altitude." In closing, Beke's representative added; "It does not
matter what that must cost, we will manage to prove that Rutger is innocent.
There is perhaps an error in the blood analyses, or perhaps the body of
Rutger reacts in such a manner that a control (test) can be positive."
Beke and his Arinso-Bik Triathlon team have assembled a team of experts
including Jan Olbrecht, long time consultant to fellow Belgian Ironman star
Luc Van Lierde, to review the way in which the samples were collected stored
and tested. They also vow to test Beke's biological makeup to see how he
could have produced a positive EPO test without using the illegal drug.
McCrary added in his statement: "The testing of EPO in urine is not an exact
science... and there are numerous outside factors which could result in a
false positive test. There should not be a rush to judgment based solely on
the current facts."
Timmermanns added: "At that race in Belgium, Rutger donated $7500 of the
$10,000 first prize money to the Marc Herremans charity. Rutger is a man of
principle and is not motivated by money."