March 16, 2013 – Belgian cyclist Philippe Gilbert (BMC Racing Team) is the latest big name to be accused of doping as reported by Eurosport.com citing the Dutch daily NRC Handelsblad as the source. The accusations are that Gilbert was doping with cortisone during the years that he rode with Lotto-Belisol and won six classic races, allegedly having received the cortisone from team doctor, Jan Mathieu.

But Gilbert’s accusers have so far remained anonymous, although they have been identified as “riders” and “former riders.” Gilbert has denied the accusations, claiming that he has always practiced his ‘metier’ (job) in a “serious fashion and in the best manner possible.”

According to the article Mathieu admitted that he sometimes gave cortisone, which is permitted with a doctor’s prescription to team riders holding a TUE (therapeutic use exemption) which states that they are taking it to treat an injury. He admitted to not always being aware of possibly fictitious injuries and added that it was possible that some riders might have pretended to be injured in order to obtain the cortisone.

Gilbert, 31, won the UCI 2012 World Road Championships. He was also the top-ranked UCI rider in 2011, the same year he won the Grand Prix Cycliste de Quebec and finished third at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montreal.

Eurosport.com (in French) HERE.