Plugge, Hessmann, and Visma | Lease a Bike still await verdict, 11 (!) months after positive doping test

Visma | Lease a Bike has yet to receive a decision from the authorities regarding the doping case of Michel Hessmann. The German rider from the Dutch team tested positive for a diuretic on June 14, 2023, and was informed about it in August of the previous year. Since then, both the rider and the team have been left waiting.

Team manager Richard Plugge was asked by the Spanish media outlet Relevo about the situation concerning the young German, who was part of last year's Giro-winning team around Primoz Roglic. "That's a good question," the Dutchman responded to the suggestion of how someone from his team could test positive. "Michel claims it was contamination and it involves very low levels, so that could be. But I'm no expert. If it's true, it's really a shame."

"At this moment, we are waiting for the decision from the authorities, both international and German," Plugge said. "They need to determine what the solution for him will be." Meanwhile, Hessmann is quite active, as seen on Strava. The Freiburg-based rider competed in his last official race during the World Championships in Glasgow last year.

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Plugge thought it was already taking too long in December

At the team presentation in December, Plugge was already unhappy about the duration of the case. "We don't know. It’s known to us that his B-sample was also positive. But then you would expect a sanction or not, but that's not up to us. That's up to NADA, the German anti-doping agency. We are waiting on that, and it's very unsatisfactory for all parties, so in that sense, the wait is long."

"We are still waiting to see what the verdict will be. You just want clarity. That’s what we want too, but certainly, Michel personally as well. He’s doing reasonably well under the circumstances, but of course, it's not pleasant. You're dealing with a young guy whose professional dream may or may not be shattered. That it's taking this long, I find quite concerning," the CEO of Visma | Lease a Bike said at the end of December. The case will undoubtedly continue (eventually)...