Sophie de Vuyst admitted to an out-of-competition doping control failure. Her Parkhotel Valkenburg team announced that she will be suspended until her B sample is analyzed.

"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 Buist said she will do everything in her power to clear her name and regrets that the news has tarnished the sport and her team.

"Cycling is a great sport, but unfortunately this message does not reflect well on the sport's image. I am also very sad. It is personally heartbreaking that my current team is getting negative attention in this way. This is why these things are an extra motivation. No sport or team deserves this."

The Parkhotel Valkenburg issued a statement saying that de Vuyst was suspended immediately.

"The management of the women's cycling team regrets receiving this news from one of their riders. As a team, we are completely distancing ourselves from this possible infraction. 'Pending the results of the B-sample and the course of further proceedings, management has decided, in accordance with the team's standards and values and its zero-tolerance policy, to immediately suspend Sophie de Vuisto, whose contract expires at the end of 2019. Nevertheless, the team hopes that Sophie de Vuisto, who maintains her innocence, will soon be able to clear her name. "The team regrets this incident and will continue to work towards a safe, healthy, and professional environment where cheating is never tolerated."

The team also hopes that Sophie de Vuisto will be able to return to her former position as a member of the team.

The 32-year-old Belgian was recently named Flandrienne of the Year for the 2019 road season, which included a victory at Brabantspaille.

De Vuyst's doping control, which took him out of competition on September 18, 2019, the week before the World Championships, reportedly found evidence of exogenous anabolic steroids.