German cyclist Michel Hessmann will part ways with Visma-Lease a Bike after the conclusion of his contract this season, following a seven-month suspension due to a doping violation. Initially handed a four-month suspension by German anti-doping authorities (NADA), Hessmann’s case was extended after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed the decision.
Visma-Lease a Bike, who had contracted Hessmann until the end of 2024, confirmed they will not offer him a new contract once his current one expires. The team had suspended Hessmann in June last year after he tested positive for the banned diuretic chlorthalidone, a substance often used for rapid weight loss or as a masking agent to hide the use of other doping substances.
The German rider has now reached a settlement with WADA, allowing him to resume racing on March 14, 2025. However, his future in the sport remains uncertain, with his departure from Visma-Lease a Bike marking a significant setback in his career. Despite his claims that contaminated painkillers led to the positive test, Hessmann’s situation highlights the ongoing challenges athletes face in maintaining clean competition.
