July 29/04 7:21 am - Meirhaeghe Tests Positive

Posted by Editor on 07/29/04
 

Meirhaeghe Tests Positive
World Mountain Bike Champion Filip Meirhaeghe has tested positive for EPO. Meirhaeghe admitted during a press conference in Belgium that he took a banned substance and, it appears, will not appeal the result. The out of competition test took place two days before the Mont Ste Anne World Cup, so Meirhaeghe's results from Mont Ste Anne and Calgary will be nullified. He won both races, with Christoph Sauser (Siemens Mobile Cannondale) finishing second. Sauser will move to first, and will take over the World Cup lead.
Meirhaeghe was probably the leading contender for Olympic gold in the men's cross-country, and was an incredible cycling hero in Belgium. During the Houffalize World Cup he was mobbed everywhere.