Belgian Geer Steegmans is back to racing his bike for the first time since his, then Katusha team, put him on the inactive list for refusing to sign an anti-doping addendum to his contract. The addendum would require the rider to pay five times his salary to the team if he was caught with a doping infraction.
Steegmans took the start in the Wolvertem criterium with his personal sponsor BBB, a manufacturer of high-end bicycle parts and equipment.
The Belgian said he was happy to be back racing, but acknowledged he doesn’t have the form to win just yet. He placed 8th in the race.