The German sports court still hold Sinkewitz’ doping case unsettled, a year after his A and B samples both tested positive for human growth hormone.

Patrik Sinkewitz was suspended by the International Cycling Union and his team, Farnese Vini, after his drug test result revealed that he is using illegal performance enhancing drugs. His samples returned an adverse analytical finding while racing in the GP di Lugano last year.

The German cyclist has initially contested the result denying his involvement in HGH use. Questions on the validity of the laboratory result were raised by Sinkewitz calling the whole process unfair. He also threatened to take legal action against UCI regarding the doping charges issued to him.

No Official Statement from Authorities

Developments on the doping charges against Sinkewitz were not disclosed by authorities governing the procedure of the case. Although Sinkewitz case is not the only doping case that have taken an extended period of time before verdict is serve, it nevertheless stirred the interest of many since the HGH case of Sinkewitz is the first in professional cycling. EPO and testosterone are the most common PED’s used by professional cyclists.

The German Cycling Federation (BDR) said that the case has been referred to the appropriate organization. “The federation has passed the case to the appropriate sports court and it is out of our hands. Nobody at the BDR can say at the moment, how things stand,” Christine Kapp of the BDR said.

The spokeswoman for the German anti-doping agency Christina Gassner confirmed the statement given by the German Federation claiming that the doping charge against Sinkewitz is ongoing. The case is now being reviewed “for possible violations of the anti-doping rules” at the sports court of the Deutschen Institut für Schiedsgerichtbarkeit e.V. “That procedure is, like all procedures at the German sport court, not public,” Gassner added. She refused to make any further comments regarding the developments of the case.

Enrico Carpani, UCI Spokesman, also imparted to the Cyclingnews that they have not reached any decision on the Sinkewitz case as details on the said charges is still being deliberated in the German National Anti-Doping Organization.

Sinkewitz Remains Silent on the Case

Patrik Sinkewitz refused to give any comment regarding the progress and possible outcome of his doping case. “I cannot and may not say anything about the procedure,” he told Cyclingnews. “I have to wait and can’t hurry them along,” he added.

The German cyclist, amidst the HGH controversy, firmly stands to his statement and is more than determined to clear his name. His lawyer previously told the media that Sinkewits did not took any artificial HGH. With past records of using steroids wherein he served one-year suspension, clearing his name would surely take a lot of efforts on his side. Plus the fact that he also tested positive for testosterone in 2007 and later admitted to using EPO and underwent blood transfusion while riding for various teams.

His past records of using performance-enhancing drugs could possibly leave a negative note to the jury, making it harder for him to prove his innocence. A possibility of a lifetime ban in cycling will be faced by Sinkewitz if the doping charges are upheld against him.

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