Reports have indicated that the Belgian was allowed to return home after spending a night under observation at the hospital.

The attempt came just days after the International Cycling Union (UCI) provisionally banned the young cyclist after he failed a drugs test following his stage win at the Tour of Taihu Lake in China on November 5.

Speaking to sudinfo on Wednesday (December 18), Breyne was apparently in tears explaining his reaction to hearing the news of his ban.

"I told myself, 'you have a problem,'" the Crelan rider told the newspaper.

"The news was like my world collapsing on me.

"What have I done to deserve this?

"Nothing.

"Absolutely nothing.

"I've never taken anything.

"But how can I prove that with what's happened in China?"

Australia's Michael Rogers also tested positive for the substance which he claimed came from eating tainted meat when in China ©Getty Images



Australia's Michael Rogers' positive results for the same banned substance were announced on the same day as Breyne and claimed his results, from a sample taken after he won the Japan Cup in October, were due to contaminated meat he had eaten whilst at the Tour of Beijing the previous week.

China is notorious for the illegal use of Clenbuterol by farmers to help build muscle mass in their livestock leading the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to warn athletes about its use in 2011.

Rogers has issued a statement insisting he never knowingly took the banned substance and was instead a victim of tainted Chinese meat.

"In the following weeks I will have the opportunity to explain this unfortunate situation to the UCI, in which I will give my full attention and cooperation to resolve this issue in the quickest time frame possible," said Rogers.

"During the period October 8-17, before arriving in Japan, I was present in China for the World Tour race, Tour of Beijing.

"I understand that it has been acknowledged by the World Anti-Doping Agency as well as other anti-doping bodies, that food contaminated with clenbuterol is a serious problem in China."

During his interview, Breyne told Sudinfo: "I don't feel well at all,"

He added: "I haven't eaten since.

"I don't understand why this happens to me.

"I feel really sick."

An hour later, his father, Philippe, rang the newspaper to break the news that his son had tried to commit suicide.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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December 2013: Cyclist Rogers suspended after positive drugs test