July 19, 2007 (Berlin, Germany) — Patrik Sinkewitz (T-Mobile), a German pro who was part of the pro peloton at the 2007 Tour de France until last Sunday has tested positive in June for testosterone reports AFP, citing the German Cycling Federation (Bund Deutscher Radfahrer or BDR).

The BDR announced that Sinkewitz, 26, had an abnormally high level of testosterone in his urine in a surprise doping control test done on June 8. Some reports put his testosterone:epitestosterone (T:E) ratio at a value of 24 whereas anything over 4 is considered suspect.

Sinkewitz nicknamed “Sinki” finished Sunday’s stage 8 at the Tour, then collided with a spectator while returning to his hotel. As a result of this accident he was unable to continue racing and is expected to have an operation on his jawbone today.

The accident was the beginning of a bad week for Sinkewitz who was suspended by T-Mobile on Wednesday. Bob Stapleton, T-Mobile’s general manager, indicated that if Sinkewitz’s B sample confirms the positive test, that his contract with T-Mobile would be voided.

Two German public television channels, ARD and ZDF, have stopped transmitting coverage of the TdF until the “Patrik Sinkewitz Case” is clarified. This is despite the fact that Linus Gerdemann’s (T-Mobile) Saturday stage victory pushed German public TV ratings up to an unheard of 20% of market share.

Unannounced doping tests were conducted on 51 TdF riders on Monday and on another 25 cyclists Tuesday according to AFP and CP. To date, no positive tests have been announced at the Tour itself. As mentioned, Sinkewitz’s positive test dates back to a June training session in the Pyrenees.