# Denise Betsema

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

## Career

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

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. On 16 May, it was announced her B sample was also positive for steroids.
On 20 January 2020, the UCI announced that besides in Hoogerheide, she had also failed a doping test in Middelkerke. 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.

## Personal life

Betsema has two children and lives in Texel.

## Major results
### Cyclo-cross
#### 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
       1st Lokeren
       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
       4th Maasmechelen
    3rd Maldegem
    3rd Oostmalle
    3rd Otegem

#### 2023–2024

    X²O Badkamers Trophy
       2nd Koppenberg
    3rd Oisterwijk
    UCI World Cup
       4th Flamanville