Keisse defends himself, blames supplements #cycling #doping

'Accidental' supplementation is no joke when you are sponsored by a supplement company... Iljo Keisse has faced the Belgian Cycling Federation (RLVB) in relation to the hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) and cathine found in his urine on the last day of the Gent Six Day late last year. The federation is seeking a two-year sanction for Keisse, and the debate has now begun as to whether the presence of the HCT and cathine was intentional.

HCTZ is a diuretic, used to block salt and fluid re-absorption in the kidneys, increasing the release of urine. For an athlete that may assist by more quickly clearing wastes and byproducts from the system, masking use of 'something else'.

Cathine is an appetite suppressant and may have a stimulant effect. For an athlete this may assist in weight control and/or give the competitor a physical (or perhaps psychological) boost.