Cycling: Yates had substantial testosterone levels, say authorities

Belgian cycling authorities are said to have found "quite substantial" levels of testosterone in the urine sample of New Zealand cycling star Jeremy Yates.

Yates is facing a two-year ban after his A sample showed unusually high levels of testosterone after a race in March, Belgian Cycling Union disciplinary committee in doping matters prosecutor Jaak Fransen told the Christchurch Press at the weekend.

He said repeated, sophisticated testing of the sample indicated that the testosterone in Yates' body "could only be achieved by illegal substances", adding the unsuccessful attempts to get a B sample from Yates and the rider's reluctance to explain himself, did not help his cause.

He did not have the exact figures for the testosterone level found in Yates.

The Flemish Anti-Doping Agency found suspicious levels of testosterone in Yates' body after a criterium in the Belgian town of Wanzele.

They asked the rider for a medical certificate and to supply a B sample.

Without a B sample, the anti-doping agency had the initial sample tested again by the Olympic doping laboratory in Cologne, Germany, "which determined that the high levels of testosterone could only be achieved by illegal substances", Fransen told the newspaper.

He said Yates did not respond to letters asking him to explain and failed to appear before the disciplinary committee.

"When he finally appeared on Wednesday, I demanded a 24-month ban and a fine of 750 Swiss francs (about $1500) plus procedural costs, based on the history I just described to you and according to the doping regulation of the UCI."

Yates, who rode for New Zealand at last month's Athens Olympics, on Friday refused to comment on the case, saying that he could not say anything until today.

The 22-year-old may have to wait a bit longer, as the judiciary may take up to a month to reach its verdict, according to Fransen.

A date for an October meeting has yet to be made "but the judges try to wrap it up within a month".

- NZPA