Iljo Keisse will not be at the start of the Rotterdam Six Days. Technically the rider was cleared of his doping charges by a court in Brussels, but the UCI claims he is only allowed to race in Belgium. Since testing positive at the 2008 Gent Six Days, Keisse had quite a mix of emotions, where he was cleared, then prevented from racing repeatedly.
Yesterday he was still defiant to reach the start line in Rotterdam, Netherlands. But an email from the UCI to the Rotterdam organizers seems to have stopped his ambitions. "I don't know what else I can do," he told Sporza. "It's not in my power."
Keisse, who has been picked up by Quick Step for the road, sees his Six Day winter in danger. "I still had some hope that my lawyer would be able to do something, but that didn't happen. The [Rotterdam] Six Days will take place without me."
Keisse was the defending champion and race organizer Patrick Sercu had him ride together with compatriot Kenny De Ketele. De Ketele will now ride with Dutchman Tim Veldt as partner for the race that starts Thursday evening.
It is still unclear how things develop for Keisse, with the Bremen Six Days scheduled next week. "That may well be the same sad scenario. They may also refuse me to ride there. I am powerless against the bastion that the UCI is."