German has nothing to lose, facing lifelong suspension
For the second time in his career, Patrik Sinkewitz returned positive doping samples, failing a test in February of this year. The former Farnese Vini rider is facing a lifelong suspension, yet is now planning to appeal his case to the Sports Court of Arbitration in Lausanne. Sinkewitz, who fully confessed in his first doping case, maintains that he is innocent this time.
His lawyer Rainer Cherkeh issued a press release, stating that Sinkewitz will be going to court over the matter. Sinkewitz realizes that not many people will believe him, considering his past. But he points out several irregularities in the process.
Sinkewitz was caught for Human Growth Hormone (HGH) doping. The values of the A and B sample differ by 28.97 percent, according to the press release. There were also two tests done on the B sample itself, and those two values differ by 35.04 percent.
The Sinkewitz party also says that none of the lab documents they had asked for had been provided to them. They had asked for these and other detailed information to validate the testing procedure.
Cherkeh and Sinkewitz also cite the manufacturer of the testing equipment, which specifically says that the equipment can be used for research purposes only.
The release closed with a statement asserting that Sinkewitz has not taken any artificial HGH, and that there is no proof that he did so.
Sinkewitz rode for T-Mobile in 2006 and 2007, but was caught for testosterone doping during the 2007 Tour de France. He confessed and received a shorter one-year ban due to his cooperation with authorities.