The Patrik Sinkewitz Explanation: "I had been using a product called Testogel..."



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Tour de France - Sinkewitz admits "regret" over doping
Eurosport

01 Aug 2007

German rider Patrik Sinkewitz has admitted he made a mistake in the doping
scandal that resulted in him being fired by T-Mobile.

The 26-year-old tested positive for elevated levels of testosterone in the
lead-up to this year's Tour de France, although this was not revealed until
after he had withdrawn from the Tour after a crash on stage eight.

The 2004 Tour of Germany winner, who was then sacked by his team after
declining to have his B sample tested, said he had been using Testogel, a
replacement therapy for low testosterone levels in men, to boost his post
training recovery.

"I do want to answer for what I have done and deal with the consequences of
my actions," Sinkewitz said. "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. 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 stupidity, I applied some to my upper
arm in our training camp in France in the evening before a 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.

"I regret this profoundly. My admission should be the first step in my
redemption. I will make myself available for the German cycling federation
and the independent committee it will set up."

T-Mobile chief Rolf Aldag said that Sinkewitz should return a year's wages
for his doping violation which broke the team's code of conduct.

"He broke his commitment to us, so his contract has been terminated," Aldag
said. "Of course the positive doping test came as a shock to us, but it
shows the effectiveness and importance of testing."
 

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