From CyclingNews:
Bruylandts positive for EPO
28 year old Belgian cyclist Dave Bruylandts has tested positive for EPO
after an out of competition control following the GP Pino Cerami on April 8,
2004. Bruylandts finished fourth and was drug tested in that race, but was
also visited by UCI's anti-doping inspectors the next day. The latter test
revealed traces of EPO in his urine in both his A and B samples.
Bruylandts confirmed the result at a press conference later this afternoon,
but declared that he did not consciously take EPO. "I won't contest the
result," he said. "The only possible explanation is that there was something
in the products I got from my nutritional advisor, whom I trust. It was
certainly a mistake to trust him. I have started my own investigation."
Bruylandts was controlled at the GP Pino Cerami, but the result was
negative. However, he has been closely monitored by the UCI since the start
of the year as a rider with anomalous blood values, hence the surprise visit
the next day. In 2000, he was sacked by Farm Frites after being controlled
with a hematocrit of 53%.
The Belgian cycling federation will question Bruylandts on Tuesday and he
faces a suspension of between six months and two years.
Bruylandts had a strong start to the season, riding very well in the Tour de
Langkawi (3rd), E3 Prijs (caught in the finale), Dwars Door Vlaanderen (4th)
and Ronde van Vlaanderen, where he was a very strong third. However, while
training for Liege-Bastogne-Liege, he broke his elbow and his spring was
finished. Although he has resumed training since then, he said at the press
conference that "It will certainly be a while before I can race again."
For the time being, he has not been sacked by his Chocolade Jacques team.