'We are now examining a few contradictions and will decide on the matter next week,' a spokesman for the Belgian cycling union said.

In the latest listing of riders by the cycling union, issued late last month, Hamilton was ranked 23rd in the world.

After many complaints about widespread cheating, the top four finishers were disqualified by the French cycling union.

Garin was banned by the French cycling union for two years.

The club is part of the international cycling union, the sport's peak body.

He said the antidoping agency had sent the cycling union a list of suggestions in May on how to clean up the sport.

He has his legal rights," Weltz said, but the cycling union "may know something we don't and that's why they acted.

The cycling union also cited "the attitude of the team's management" regarding the doping problems as a reason for refusing the license.

The drug stays in the body only a few days, the cycling union said.

The cycling union said it planned no disciplinary action because Dierckxsens had not failed a drug test.