Sinkewitz fired after waiving right to B sample test

by VeloNews.com

• July 31, 2007
• Comments Off

By Agence France Presse

The T-Mobile cycling team has fired Patrik Sinkewitz, the rider who failed a drugs test in the run up to the Tour de France, after he decided not to have a second urine sample analyzed.

The 26-year-old’s decision means he accepts the test’s result and concedes that he violated T-Mobile’s Code of Conduct after he was found to have abnormal levels of testosterone following an out-of-competition test taken on June 8th by the German anti-doping agency (NADA).

the 2004 Tour of Germany winner said he had been using widely-available gel Testogel – a replacement therapy for low testosterone levels in men – to help recovery, which had cause the failed out-of-competition test taken on June 8th.

Now the rider has insisted on his website he will speak to the German Cycling Federation to explain his situation and wants to return to cycling as soon as possible.

“I have withdrawn my application for the opening of the B sample,” he said. “I want to answer for what I have done and deal with the consequences of my actions. I do not want to hide, but explain the truth.”

“I had been using a product called Testogel, which is supplied by the company Jenapharm, to balance testosterone deficits,” he said. “The gel is applied on the skin and absorbed into the body. It helps the body to recover after hard training.

“Without thinking, in a moment of huge stupidy, I applied some to my upper arm in our training camp in France in the evening before the dope test. I did this instinctively and without thinking of the possible results. It has proved to be a huge mistake and lack of responsibility has let down the team, our sponsors and cycling as a sport.

“My actions have caused great distress and I have done exactly what T-Mobile is striving to avoid to act a role-model for others.

“I regret this profoundly. My admission should be my first step in my redemption. I will make myself available for the German Cycling Federation (BDR) and the independent committee it will set up. “I want to do whatever I can, so cycling can exist without doping and all it’s sporting fascinations can be realized. I wish that all bicycle teams, above all ‘my’ T-Mobile team, will be allowed to continue and not discouraged by events. I am ready to take part in a new cycling. I am willing to take up this challenge.”

After his firing, T-Mobile is also insisting Sinkewitz return a year’s wages for his doping violation which breaks the team’s Code of Conduct.

“He broke his commitment to us, so his contract has been terminated,” said T-Mobile’s boss Rolf Aldag. “Of course the positive doping test came as a shock to us, but it shows the effectiveness and importance of our internal testing and NADA’s testing.”

Christian Frommert, Deutsche Telekom’s senior spokesman, welcomed the action.

“The fact that Mr. Sinkewitz passed on the opening of the B sample means that he is accepting the results of the A sample,” Frommert said. “We thus have a clear-cut doping case.”

According to Aldag, Sinkewitz will now face a two-year ban from competition – and will be obliged to repay a year’s salary for a doping violation.

T-Mobile moved swiftly to sack Sinkewitz after he revealed his decision on Tuesday to not have his second urine sample analyzed.

Sinkewitz’s positive test was announced on July 18, three days after he had abandoned this year’s Tour after crashing into a spectator at the end of the eighth stage.