Tour de France star blamed positive doping test on having hanky panky with wife

Belgian cyclist Bjorn Leukemans once tried to blame a positive doping test on having too much hanky panky with his wife.

Leukemans, who was still in the early days of his career in 2007, failed an out-of-competition doping test when doping controllers arrived at his house. However, Leukemans had a reasonable explanation for his high testosterone levels: sex.

The Belgian argued the testers had arrived at his house while he was having sex – leading to his raised levels of testosterone. Unfortunately, the doctor who conducted the test was quick to point out a flaw in Leukemans' excuse.

Wilhelm Schanzer, of the anti-doping lab in Cologne, Germany, said: "If you ask whether sex has an influence on testosterone levels, I say: sex has nothing to do with synthetic testosterone."

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He added: "The natural testosterone [level] may perhaps be higher [while having sex], but I do not see how sex can influence synthetic testosterone."

The B-sample yielded the same result and Leukemans was slapped with a two-year suspension. However, he continued to protest his innocence on his website: "These values are natural. It is not possible that I am positive. I risk a suspension of two years. My career is on the line."

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Leukemans would serve just six-months, and his innocence proven after he was cleared of the positive test in 2012 by the Flemish Sports Council's disciplinary committee, five years after the test. The Belgian was able to produce a medical certification of a naturally high ratio of testosterone.

"All’s well that end’s well, it’s just a huge relief," Leukemans told Gazet van Antwerpen, "It's been a lot of hassle for the past few years, but now I'm totally cleared."

Leukemans returned from his suspension to ride the Tour de France just once in his career: the 2011 edition. However, he wasn't able to sip champagne on the Champs-Elysees, as he called it quits on Stage 18 – three days before Paris.

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