Sophie de Vuist (Parkhotel Valkenburg) requested an analysis of her B sample after testing positive for exogenous anabolic steroids.

The 32-year-old admitted last week that her A sample was positive and was suspended by Parkhotel Valkenburg. The Belgian had been scheduled to join Mitchelton Scott for the 2020 season after winning the Brabants Pile and being named Flandrienne of the Year for the 2019 road season. Now she faces a battle to explain the presence of steroids in her urine. If found guilty of doping, she risks a ban of up to four years.

According to Belgian media reports, "We have made the decision to test the B sample," admitted her partner and former cyclist Bart de Clercq. 'We don't hold out much hope. There is little chance that anything else will turn up, but we want to use every means at our disposal to prove Sophie's innocence"

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"We are full of questions. Why did she test positive for doping? Was a contaminated supplement the basis for this? We have always done everything in our power to use reliable products. We will do everything in our power to prove her innocence. No matter how difficult that may be, we are silently trying to unravel everything."

"Sophie feels super bad and we're trying to stay out of the spotlight as much as possible," de Clercq added protectively.

"We don't know when we'll know the results of the B sample. We want to know as soon as possible because the quest for the unknown continues."

De Buist's doping control was an out-of-competition test on September 18, 2019, the week before the World Championships. She tested positive but pleaded innocent.

"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, responsible and "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."

De Vuyst said she will make every effort to clear her name and regrets that the news has tarnished the sport and her team.