Roel Paulissen was handed a two-year ban from competition and a 7,500 Euro fine on Monday by the Royal Belgian Cycling Federation (RLVB) for his two positive tests for banned hormone Clomephine.
Earlier this month an RLVB panel had recommended a two-year ban and an 87,500 Euro fine. The Federation’s ruling on Monday fell well short of the latter penalty, however Paulissen, a two-time UCI marathon world champion, will now be eligible for a return to competition in 2012. He had announced his retirement from competition shortly after his positive tests but following the ruling the Belgian has refused to rule out a comeback.
“I will first digest and consider this ruling. I’ll play house man for a little while and have a look at a few plans worldwide. Training and mountain-bike courses; are there are plenty of things I could do,” 34-year-old Paulissen told Belgian newspaper Gazet Van Antwerpen.
He ruled out an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, but could not contain his frustration at his penalty. Paulissen had tested for Clomephine twice in out of competition tests on June 6 and 19, but has maintained his innocence throughout the case.
“And for a product that helps women to become pregnant and that we have seen this show somewhere obscure and not on the package was hidden in a dietary supplement,” he said.
“I find it scandalous that the UCI and WADA have many doctors and that they fail to distinguish between conscious and non-deliberate doping. Everything is black and white, while there is a gray zone. I feel condemned, but one can only appeal to the CAS in Switzerland and would be terribly expensive.”
Paulissen’s suspension is due to expire on November 22, 2012.