Denise Betsema (born 23 January 1993) is a Dutch cyclo-cross cyclist, who currently rides for UCI Cyclo-cross team Pauwels Sauzen–Bingoal.[1]

Denise Betsema
Betsema, Namur, 2022.
Personal information
Full nameDenise Betsema
Born (1993-01-23) 23 January 1993 (age 31)
Oudeschild, Netherlands
Height1.66 m (5 ft 5 in)
Weight54 kg (119 lb)
Team information
Current teamPauwels Sauzen–Bingoal
Discipline
  • Cyclo-cross
  • Mountain biking
RoleRider
Professional teams
2011Giant Dealerteams
2018–Marlux–Bingoal
Major wins
Cyclo-cross
World Cup
3 individual wins (2018–19, 2020–21, 2021–22)
Medal record
Representing  Netherlands
Women's Cyclo-cross
World Championships
Bronze medal – third place Oostende 2021 Elite
European Championships
Bronze medal – third place Rosmalen 2018 Elite

Career

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In October 2018 Betsema joined the professional cyclo-cross team Marlux–Bingoal. In the season 2018–2019 she won the crosses at Poprad, Neerpelt, Aigle, Hittnau, Lutterbach, Wachtebeke, Koksijde, Eschenbach, Antwerpen, Otegem, Maldegem, Middelkerke, Hulst, Leuven and Oostmalle. She also won the bronze medal at the European championships.

Positive drug test

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On 5 April 2019, it was announced that she had tested positive for the use of steroids in a drug test on 27 January 2019 during the World Cup in Hoogerheide. Betsema denies the facts but she was temporarily suspended by her team awaiting the outcome of the counter-expertise.[2] On 16 May, it was announced her B sample was also positive for steroids.[3]

On 20 January 2020, the UCI announced that besides in Hoogerheide, she had also failed a doping test in Middelkerke.[4] The UCI proposed the rider a retroactive sanction of six months suspension, starting from 5 April 2019, which was the day her team voluntary put her on non-active status. Betsema also forfeits all results from Hoogerheide on, which meant the loss of her 2019 victories in Maldegem, Middelkerke, Hulst, Leuven, and Oostmalle. Betsema accepted the sanction proposed by the UCI but she and her legal counsels are still of the opinion she was the victim of a tainted food supplement.[5][6]

Personal life

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Betsema has two children and lives in Texel.[7]

Major results

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Cyclo-cross

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2018–2019
UCI World Cup
1st Koksijde
2nd Pont-Château
DVV Trophy
1st Antwerpen
3rd Loenhout
1st Overall EKZ CrossTour
1st Aigle
1st Hittnau
1st Eschenbach
3rd Baden
3rd Meilen
1st Otegem
1st Neerpelt
1st Wachtebeke
1st Solidarite
1st Poprad
2nd Hasselt
3rd Overall Superprestige
2nd Zonhoven
3rd Diegem
3rd   UEC European Championships
Toi Toi Cup
3rd Unicov
2019–2020
Rectavit Series
1st Leuven
1st Waregem
Superprestige
2nd Middelkerke
2nd Zonnebeke
2nd Oostmalle
Ethias Cross
3rd Maldegem
3rd Hulst
2020–2021
1st Oostmalle
1st Sint-Niklaas
2nd Overall X²O Badkamers Trophy
1st Antwerpen
2nd Kortrijk
2nd Hamme
2nd Brussels
3rd Herentals
3rd Baal
3rd Lille
3rd Overall UCI World Cup
1st Hulst
3rd Tábor
3rd Namur
3rd Overall Superprestige
1st Middelkerke
2nd Gavere
2nd Merksplas
3rd Boom
3rd Niel
Ethias Cross
1st Beringen
1st Eeklo
1st Sint-Niklaas
2nd Leuven
3rd Kruibeke
EKZ CrossTour
1st Bern
3rd   UCI World Championships
2021–2022
2nd Overall UCI World Cup
1st Zonhoven
2nd Fayetteville
2nd Iowa City
2nd Koksijde
2nd Namur
3rd Waterloo
3rd Besançon
3rd Rucphen
3rd Dendermonde
2nd Overall Superprestige
1st Ruddervoorde
2nd Gieten
3rd Niel
3rd Merksplas
3rd Boom
3rd Gavere
2nd Overall X²O Badkamers Trophy
1st Brussels
2nd Koppenberg
2nd Loenhout
2nd Herentals
3rd Kortrijk
3rd Baal
3rd Hamme
2nd Oostmalle
Ethias Cross
3rd Beringen
2022–2023
3rd Overall Superprestige
1st Ruddervoorde
2nd Niel
2nd Merksplas
2nd Boom
3rd Gullegem
Exact Cross
1st Zonnebeke
3rd Kruibeke
3rd Beringen
3rd Meulebeke
X²O Badkamers Trophy
2nd Koppenberg
3rd Kortrijk
UCI World Cup
3rd Dublin
3rd Maldegem
3rd Oostmalle
3rd Otegem
2023–2024
X²O Badkamers Trophy
2nd Koppenberg
3rd Oisterwijk
UCI World Cup
4th Flamanville

References

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  1. ^ "Pauwels Sauzen – Bingoal". UCI.org. Union Cycliste Internationale. Archived from the original on 23 April 2020. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  2. ^ "Bom in het veldrijden! Nederlandse revelatie Denise Betsema testte positief op anabole steroïden: "Ik ben onschuldig"". Archived from the original on 5 April 2019. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
  3. ^ "Ook B-staal Betsema is positief, veldrijdster blijft op non-actief". Sporza wielrennen. Archived from the original on 7 August 2020. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
  4. ^ "UCI statement on Denise Betsema". Archived from the original on 7 October 2020. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  5. ^ Betsema: "Toegelaten voedingssupplement was vervuild" Archived 21 January 2020 at the Wayback Machine (in Dutch)
  6. ^ UCI zet het licht op groen voor terugkeer van betrapte Betsema Archived 16 February 2020 at the Wayback Machine (in Dutch)
  7. ^ "Deze 24-jarige kanjer van Texel combineert het moederschap met topsport". Archived from the original on 25 November 2018. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
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