According to a statement from the team, the contracts of Sophie de Vuyst and Mitchelton Scott have been suspended pending the results of an investigation into their positive tests for exogenous anabolic steroids. The Belgian rider is currently awaiting the results of a B sample, which was tested at his request.

"Due to alleged violations of the team's anti-doping policy and code of conduct, Sophie de Vuyst's contract has been suspended and her name removed from the UCI register pending the outcome of an ongoing investigation.

In September, Mitchelton Scott announced that it had signed de Vuyst for the 2020 season. De Vuist won the Brabante Pile in April, the mountain class at the Festival Elsie Jacobs in May and the Tour of Lotto Belgium in September, and was named Flandrienne of the Year for the 2019 road season.

De Vuist tested positive for exogenous anabolic steroids as a result of an out-of-competition control on September 18, 2019, the week before the World Championships. She was suspended by her former team, Parkhotel Valkenburg, in November after admitting to testing positive for an A sample.

She pleaded innocence and requested to have the B sample tested in early December.

"This is a message I never wanted to write. To my surprise, I received a message yesterday that I tested positive for "exogenous steroids" in an out-of-competition test on September 18," de Buist wrote on her Facebook page, according to Sporza.

"For me, ethical and responsible "clean" sport has always been a top priority. Therefore, I have no idea how this could have happened. I am completely devastated. My worst nightmare has happened to me."