Just when the Tour de France was getting interesting, doping allegations have surfaced again.
Germany's cycling federation said on Wednesday that preliminary results from a surprise anti-doping test on cyclist Patrik Sinkewitz during a training session last month turned up high levels of testosterone.
The case of the T-Mobile team member, who crashed into a spectator on Sunday and withdrew from the Tour de France, prompted German public broadcasters to end their race coverage and threatened to overshadow a race that had reached its midpoint on Wednesday.
PHOTO: AP
Cedric Vasseur became the first French rider to win a stage this year with a sprint at the finish of Wednesday's 229.5km 10th stage from Tallard to Marseille under a searing sun.
Michael Rasmussen retained the overall leader's yellow jersey, finishing safely in 30th place among his top rivals. The Dane is two minutes, 35 seconds ahead of second-placed Alejandro Valverde of Spain, and 2 minutes, 39 seconds in front of fellow Spaniard Iban Mayo in third.
The results of Sinkewitz's "A" sample, announced in Germany shortly before the stage began, quickly spread through the field.
PHOTO: AP
"The entire team was stunned," T-Mobile sporting manager Bob Stapleton said. "It was quite a shock to everybody, but ... they're fighters, they came here to compete."
While the results took two weeks to come to light, Sinkewitz and four teammates were tested June 8 during a training run in the Pyrenees mountains -- where the race heads next week.
"It's not possible. I know nothing about it," Sinkewitz told the German news agency DPA. "I am about to have surgery. I can't deal with it now."
T-Mobile said Sinkewitz was undergoing surgery on his jaw at a Hamburg, Germany clinic, a consequence of Sunday's crash.
The revelation was a blow for T-Mobile, which has enacted some of the toughest anti-doping measures in the sport in response to doping controversies. Jan Ullrich, a former team leader who won the Tour in 1997, retired this year after he was mentioned in the Spanish anti-doping probe known as "Operation Puerto."
The team has been trying to rebuild among young riders. Sinkewitz is 26.
T-Mobile temporarily suspended Sinkewitz. Two German public television stations that had been broadcasting the Tour responded by saying they were dropping their coverage "until further notice."
Patrice Clerc, the president of Tour organizer Amaury Sports Organisation, expressed "stupefaction" at the revelations and called it "paradoxical" that the German broadcasters had halted their coverage.
He said riders "are playing Russian roulette, in a way, when they are tempted to cheat."
Wednesday's stage didn't alter the standings among the remaining contenders, many of who were recovering from three rides in the Alps. Two time trials and three stages in the Pyrenees await before the July 29 finish on the Champs-Elysees in Paris.
The next major change among the leaders is likely to come in tomorrow's 13th stage -- a 54km time trial in Albi. Rasmussen has admitted he's not strong in such races against the clock.
Among the remaining contenders, Cadel Evans of Australia is fourth, 2 minutes, 41 seconds back; Frenchman Christophe Moreau sits sixth, 3 minutes, 18 seconds behind; Carlos Sastre of Spain trails by 3 minutes, 39 seconds in seventh; and American Levi Leipheimer is ninth, 3 minutes, 53 seconds off the leader's pace.
Germany's Andreas Kloeden, one of the world's best long time-trial specialists who was runner-up to Lance Armstrong in 2004, is 3 minutes, 50 seconds back, and his Astana teammate Alexandre Vinokourov is 8 minutes, 5 seconds behind.
Vasseur narrowly outsprinted four other cyclists in a breakaway group to cross in 5 hours, 20 minutes, 24 seconds. It was his first win at cycling's biggest race since 1997.
The main favorites finished in a pack that finished 10 minutes 36 seconds behind Vasseur, whom they gladly let race ahead because he is still 36 minutes, 5 seconds behind the leader in the overall standings.
Vasseur, who turns 37 in August, says this year will be his last in the sport.
"I think I can leave cycling with my head held high," he said. "I am happy to offer France the first win on the Tour."
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely