The UCI announced that Denis Betsema has been banned from cycling for six months due to a positive test for anabolic-androgenic steroids last year.

Now Betsema can return to competition immediately and will return to her old club, Marlux Bingor (now Pauwels Sauzen Bingor); according to Sporza.be, she will compete in the Kasteelcross on Saturday.

The Dutch rider tested positive at the UCI Cyclocross World Cup round in Hoogerheide on January 27 and the Superprestige round in Middelkerke on February 16. After these test results were revealed, she was provisionally suspended.

The UCI announced that Betsema's suspension began on April 5, 2019 and ended on October 4, 2019.

"The case has been resolved in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code and the UCI Anti-Doping Code by accepting the consequences. This resolution is subject to appeal by the Dutch National Anti-Doping Agency and the World Anti-Doping Agency," the press release stated.

Betsema, who burst onto the scene with 15 wins in the 2018-19 season, including a UCI World Cup victory in Koksijde, has maintained his innocence throughout the process.

In an Instagram post last year, she stated: "I have never used banned substances, nor have I tested positive throughout the year. I am truly stunned and shocked. I will do everything in my power to clear my name as soon as possible."

Minutes after the UCI announcement, Betsema posted a video on Instagram of herself running in a Pauwels Sausen kit, saying, "Yes, I can cross again soon! I am very happy and relieved about this good news. I'll tell you all the details tomorrow."

UCMA also posted a video of himself running in a Pauwels Sausen kit.

Under UCI and WADA rules, anabolic steroids in athletes' samples are an anti-doping rule violation at any level, unlike other substances for which minimum thresholds are set.

While the minimum sanction for a positive steroid test is usually four years, the UCI Anti-Doping Rules provide for reduced sanctions for unintentional anti-doping rule violations (10.2.1.1).

In the case of tainted products, etc., UCI rules allow for sanctions ranging from a reprimand to a two-year suspension "depending on the degree of fault of the rider" (10.5.1.2).

Betsema will hold a press conference on Tuesday.