Lotto Soudal have suspended Tosh Van Der Sande after the rider returned a positive drug test at the recent Six Days of Gent race.
Van Der Sande announced his positive test on Wednesday and while the team confirmed that the substance in question is permitted, the decision was nonetheless made to suspend him with immediate effect.
Lotto Soudal said in a statement that the 28-year-old's test returned the substance, Sofrasolone, a nasal decongestive that is permitted for use if a rider forewarns the testing authorities.
'Today Lotto-Soudal was notified by its rider Tosh Van der Sande of a positive doping test during the Six Days of Ghent where he took part between November 12 and 18, 2018,' the statement read.
'The substance is a permitted one and occurs in the nasal spray Sofrasolone, that is freely available to be used in competition if mentioned during a control. After a meeting with the rider, the board has decided to suspend him, in expectation of the investigation executed by the UCI and to allow the rider to underpin his defence in the best possible way.
'Lotto-Soudal will give no further explanations until the UCI procedure has terminated.'
While the UCI is yet to release a statement on the positive test it is likely that an investigation and potential ban will follow.
Van Der Sande has raced his entire professional career with Lotto Soudal joining the WorldTour team in 2012.
In his time with the team, the Belgian has race six Grand Tours with the team including this season's Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a Espana.
His positive test came while racing the Six Days of Gent with trade teammate Jasper De Buyst last month. The pair finished third with victory going to Quick-Step Floors duo Iljo Keisse and Elia Viviani.