Italian team claims it has nothing to do with rider’s positive A sample
The Farnese Vini-Netti Sottoli team has said that it welcomes tougher sanctions from the UCI, following this morning’s news that its rider Patrik Sinkewitz had tested positive for human growth hormone (HGH). The German rider is facing a possible lifetime ban from the sport if the B sample analysis confirms the result of the A test.
“The team underlines the need (and throws out an explicit invitation to the UCI) to provide for stricter sanctions, especially in cases of use of “heavy” doping substance, like this one,” it said in a statement.
The UCI said yesterday that its Professional Cycling Council (CCP) had recommended four year bans for the first serious offence by a rider, a doubling of the current two year ban. Sinkewitz is facing a probably lifetime suspension as he previously tested positive for testosterone in 2007, and later admitted to using EPO and blood transfusions.
The Farnese Vini-Netti Sottoli team claimed that it had nothing whatsoever to do with his case, and said that it welcomed the provisional suspension imposed by the UCI on the rider. It says that it has nothing to hide.
“The team, which has always pursued a strict anti-doping line devoted to cleaning, monitoring and respect of the rules, will wait the repetition of the analysis to decide, [and is] ready to dismiss the athlete in case of confirmation of a positive case.”
Sinkewitz joined the team at the start of the 2010 season. The manager Luca Scinto said then that he deserved another chance.