One rider was still missing at the Visma | Lease a Bike: what is status of Hessmann doping case?

On Thursday, Visma | Lease a Bike presented their 2024 lineup in Amsterdam, but at least one person was notably absent—besides Lennard Hofstede, who was also not present—Michel Hessmann. He is expected to be under contract next year. In mid-August, Hessmann was informed that he had tested positive. However, as the year comes to a close, there is still no clarity on the matter, much to the frustration of team boss Richard Plugge, as he shared with IDLProCycling.com.

A quick recap for context: Hessmann, a crucial member of the Giro selection for Primoz Roglic last May, learned after the World Cycling Championships in August that he had tested positive for a diuretic in his urine on June 14. He personally informed the team's management, a fact confirmed by Plugge. Notably, diuretics, although popularly known, do not enhance cycling performance; in sports, they can be used as a masking agent.

Regarding the way forward, Plugge stated, 'We don't know. We are aware that his B-sample also tested positive. However, we are still awaiting a final verdict from Germany. Whether there will be a penalty or not is not in our hands but rather with NADA, the German doping authority. This is what we are waiting for, and it is very unsatisfactory for all parties, making it a lengthy process.'

'We are still waiting to learn the verdict,' Plugge reiterated. 'It's frustrating for everyone involved. We all want clarity, especially for him personally. He is coping reasonably well under the circumstances, but, of course, it's not a pleasant situation. We are dealing with a young athlete whose dream of turning pro may be at risk. The prolonged wait is quite challenging.'

Plugge, Hessmann, and Visma | Lease a Bike eagerly seek clarity

So, how does this case precisely impact Plugge's entire team? "We started with Blanco in 2013 to put the past behind us and build a team, to which we have always devoted a lot of time and energy," Plugge reflects. Before drawing any definitive conclusions, he emphasizes the need to await the final verdict in the Hessmann case. "Michel suggests it could possibly be due to contamination, and the point is that indeed it could be. At the moment, it's just a risk for all athletes."

"As for whether it stems from one of our supplements, we don't know yet; that has yet to be clarified. It was a diuretic, but again, there are different types. One may function more as a masking agent than the other, so to speak. The crucial aspect now is whether or not there will be a penalty," states the manager of Visma | Lease a Bike.