July 31, 2007 – The T-Mobile Team announced the immediate release of cyclist Patrik Sinkewitz today and the termination of his contract for violations of the Team Code of Conduct.

Sinkewitz, who returned an adverse analytical finding for testosterone following an out-of-competition test taken on June 8th, has withdrawn a request for his B-sample to be analyzed.

“He broke his commitment to us, so his contract has been terminated,” said head of sports management Rolf Aldag. “Of course the doping positive came as a shock to us, but it shows the effectiveness and importance of our internal testing and NADA’s testing.”

Aldag now expects a “complete and comprehensive explanation” from Sinkwitz, as well as his close cooperation with the German Cycling Federation (BDR). “Patrik needs to come clean on everything, so some light can be shed on this affair.”

Christian Frommert, vice president sponsoring communications at Deutsche Telekom, 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. We thus have a clear-cut doping case.”

According to Aldag, Sinkewitz (26) will now face a two-year ban from competition – and will be obliged to repay a year’s salary for a doping violation. (gl)