Iljo Keisse hits another snag before Gent Six-Day
After a long and difficult two years in and out of the courts for a doping accusation which he was ultimately acquitted for, the return of Iljo Keisse to the track has hit another snag. The rider, before his highly anticipated comeback race, the Gent Six-Day,
is suffering from fever.
“Fever, weak, congestion problems!” wrote Keisse on Twitter this morning. “Hopefully I'll get better before the start tonight.”
The 27-year-old Belgian track cyclist tested positive for cathine and hydrochlorothiazide after winning the Gent Six-day track race in 2008, but successfully proved that the chemicals had come from a cold remedy. Despite his acquittal, the case has been tied
up in appeals courts for just shy of two years, until this month when the Belgian Court of Appeals finally closed the case in the cyclist’s favour.
"I am leaving an emotionally difficult period behind me, but I am very happy that I can return on Tuesday in the Gent Six Day. I have been training really hard the last few days. I hope this won't make me too tired, because I want to race well for the home
crowd at the Kuipke. This is a huge weight off of my shoulders."
The two-man, six-day track race runs from November 23 to November 28. Keisse’s team-mate will be Dutchman Peter Schep, winner of the 2009 Rotterdam Six. Keisse admits that his form is doubtful since he hasn’t raced in three months.
"I have raced one other time together with Peter Schep. In the sprints, he's not as strong, but I can hopefully compensate. I think about six to seven team are evenly matched with the Danes as the super favorites."
The six-day is an endurance track cycling race where two riders take turns circling the track in six consecutive evenings. The team which completes the most laps is declared the winner.
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