Mathieu Warnier, Media365, published on Wednesday January 15, 2025 at 6:45 p.m.
Suspended for doping until next March, German rider Michel Hessmann has found refuge with Movistar, according to information released by the UCI.
It is an arrival that the Movistar team preferred not to talk about. While professional teams have the possibility of having up to 30 riders in their workforce, that led by Eusebio Unzué indicates on its official website to count on 28 elements at the start of the 2025 season, including in particular Nairo Quintana, Enric Mas or even the revelation of the last Vuelta Pablo Castrillo, arrived this winter from the Caja Rural-Seguros RGA team. However, if we delve into the official website of the International Cyclist Union (UCI), which lists all professional riders, the list of riders registered as belonging to the Movistar team includes a total of 29 names. Alongside those who are officially under contract with the Spanish team, we find a certain Michel Hessmann. If the UCI information proves accurate, the lack of communication from Eusebio Unzué and his team could be linked to the German rider's situation.
Hessmann waited a long time for his punishment
Indeed, the native of Münster is suspended until March 14 due to a decision by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) following a test carried out out of competition in June 2023 and which gave a positive result concerning a prohibited diuretic product. This was then followed by an interminable procedure, which first saw the German Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) suspend him for four months. A sanction that WADA then deemed too lenient, appealing and extending the wait for a final judgment for Michel Hessmann. Absent from the professional peloton since his abandonment during the elite men's road race of the world championships on August 6, 2023, the German rider could thus return to competition under new colors within a few weeks… if the Movistar team confirms formally the signature of the one who shone among young people, notably with third place in the Tour de l'Avenir in 2022.
