Michael Boogerd knew he would not escape a suspension for doping, but was hoping for a one-year ban. Before the two-year suspension was announced by the UCI earlier today, a correspondance between the UCI and the lawyer of the former cyclist had been ongoing for month.

"The UCI has asked me to agree to the suspension. I wanted the ban to be reduced to one year," Boogerd told NOS. "That was discussed between Sinterklaas and Christmas."

"I would only haven been eligible for reduced sentences if I had provided relevant information about others to the UCI," the 43-year-old Boogerd continued. "I refused that. That's why I get the full ban."

Michael Boogerd was suspended for two years for doping. He must quit as team leader of Roompot.

In March 2013, Boogerd admitted to doping in an interview with NOS doping and thereby risked a suspension. He doesn't regard his confession as a reason for others to confess too.

"I don't wish for anybody to be in my situation and so I don't ask for anyone to confess," said Boogerd. "Cycling is now a lot better. I actually think we should let the past be the past."

Boogerd had hoped to get clarification from the UCI a lot erlier, partly because he now works as a sports director at Roompot and now has t resign prematurely."I regret it but it is what it is.

"I already contact the UCI in February 2014 because we had plans to start a new cycling team," added Boogerd. "I never got a response, never got clarity. I only got 100% certainty yesterday."

"With the team we are busy and on the right track," said Boogerd. "If you receive a suspension just before Christmas, it is frustrating, but I understand it. There is a two-year ban for doping and I knew that. I accept the punishment and do not appeal."

"The last three years have been a big jumble for me. I knew that something was going to happen because I have used doping so you expect a sanction. But I did not know when. I really started to believe that I would not be suspended.

''It was my daughter's last birthday and I wanted it to run smoothly," he says about the day when he learned about the suspension. "In those days there was a kind of resignation. But as the day approached, and rumours were there, I started to realize what I can no longer do from today. Now I mainly feel sad. I need to look more deeply into the consequences. No, I will no longer be with the team. I'm going to move first. I just sold my house. "

Boogerd refuses to deliberate on his future, with the knowledge that he is welcome at Roompot in two years. "It's very nice that the team show their confidence in me but I do not know what my life is like in two years. We'll look at it at that time."