Jumbo-Visma provisionally suspends rider for drug on banned list
Team statement: 'We await the investigation’
On Wednesday, Jumbo-Visma posted on Twitter that the team has provisionally suspended Michel Hessmann. According to the post, the German tested positive on June 14 in an out of competition control. The sample found a drug that is on the banned list, apparently a diuretic. Diurectics can be used for weight loss, or as a masking agent for other prohibited substances.
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“Jumbo-Visma is awaiting the investigation,” the post concluded.
It concerned an out-of-competition control on 14 June in Germany. The detected product is a diuretic medicine. We await the results of further investigation. Michel has been suspended by the team until further notice. pic.twitter.com/9T7W3p6SGf
— Team Jumbo-Visma cycling (@JumboVismaRoad) August 16, 2023
Michel Hessmann is 22 and from Münster. He’s ridden with the Dutch team since 2020. The first two years he rode with the development squad at the Continental level, before graduating to the WorldTour outfit.
?? #TDAV22
2️⃣nd place for @loe_belle and 4️⃣th place for @MichelHemann1 in stage 6 of the @tourdelavenir. pic.twitter.com/gWb2XOzwZd
— Jumbo-Visma Development Team (@JumboVismaDT) August 24, 2022
In 2022, he finished third at the Tour de l’Avenir after leading the overall, as well as fifth in the u-23 TT. In 2023, he finished 9th and 13th in stages of the Giro d’Italia, and finished third in the KOM competition at the Czech Tour.
