Belgian Jonathan Breyne won stage eight of the Tour of Taihu Lake on November 9, 2013. It was the first win of the season for the 22-year-old Belgian. The success opened the door for him to a contract with Belgian third-divisional Josan-To Win. On Wednesday, however, his prospects of being able to exercise the contract changed. Like Michael Rogers (Saxo-Tinkoff), he was informed by the UCI about the submission of a positive doping test [Link]. As in the Australian's case, traces of the calf fattening drug clenbuterol were found in Breyne's urine.
It is known that the drug is used in cattle breeding in China. Against this background, WADA Director General David Howman warned against participation in competitions in China two years ago. The UCI then warned race organizers to provide athletes with information "safer" to provide accommodation.
"What do I do to deserve this? I've done absolutely nothing, never taken anything. But how am I going to prove that, the race was held in China after all.”
Two positive doping cases in one day, which can be linked to participation in a race in China, may and may surprise. For Breyne, on the other hand, the news was bad news, combined with a situation he was helpless to face. According to an interview with the Belgian news portal Sudinfo, he tried to take his own life yesterday by overdosing on pills. "What do I do to deserve this? I've done absolutely nothing, never taken anything", he said disillusionedly during the conversation. "But how am I going to prove that, the race was held in China after all.”
An hour after the interview, Breyne's father informed Sudinfo about the suicide attempt. Breyne is now being treated intensively in hospital. Further details on his current condition are not known.