Final twist to the tale as local Belgian star prepares to return after successful appeal against doping ban
Just as he is about to make his triumphant return to racing, on his home track, after successfully appealing against a two-year doping ban, Iljo Keisse has hit one final hurdle. The rider from Gent is due to start his home Six-Days this evening but has come down with a fever, which could affect his performance.
“Fever, weak, congestion problems!” the Belgian posted onTwitter this morning. “Hopefully I’ll get better before the start tonight.”
The 27-year-old tested positive for cathine and hydrochlorothiazide after his victory in the 2008 Gent Six; he blamed the result on having taken a cold remedy and his explanation was finally accepted by the Court of Appeals in Belgian this month.
“Gent starts today and just now Iljo is a bit sick,” says his personal website. “[He’s] not very feverish, only a little; hopefully, with adequate rest, everything will still in order by tonight!”
Having spent the best part of two years uncertain over his future, Keisse will doubtless be very careful what he takes to relieve his symptons before the racing starts tonight.
Keisse will be partnered this week by experience Dutchman Peter Schep, who won the World Championship points race and the Amsterdam Six (with Danny Stam) in 2006; he also won the 2009 Rotterdam Six, with Joan Llaneras in 2009.