Out of the blue, Sinkewitz sinks into the mire. Provisionally, of course.

Oh here's a surprise. It's provisional, it's subject to a hearing, etc. OTOH he's previously been done for testosterone and has admitted EPO use. I don't want to pre-judge anyone but many will simply join the dots. It's tempting.

SBS: Cycling Central : UCI bans Sinkewitz over positive test

"Earlier today, the UCI advised German rider Patrik Sinkewitz that he is provisionally suspended," a UCI statement read.

"The provisional suspension remains in force until a hearing panel convened by the German Cycling Federation determines whether Mr Sinkewitz has committed an anti-doping rule violation."

It is alleged a growth hormone showed up in tests of a blood sample taken from Sinkewitz

MTBer van Houts visits Mexico, confirmed positive for Clenbuterol and declared eligible to ride

I guess there must be a doubt about Mexican beef as well as the Spanish variety. If Clenbuterol is really the drug of choice right now it's going to be really hard to "prove" a case against an athlete when "inadvertent consumption" is validated as an excuse. It's back to proving "intent" - a much more difficult thing than a simple positive. 

Van Houts Free To Ride Again After Clenbuterol Positive | Cyclingnews.com

According to the Koninklijke Nederlandsche Wielren Unie, van Houts was not acquitted, but convicted without punishment. “There was Clenbuterol in Van Houts' body,” said Herman Ram, director of the federation's doping authority, to telesport.nl.

“In this case the disciplinary committee ruled at the request of van Houts and the advice of the doping authority, where we knew there was a violation but that van Houts cannot be blamed for it. There is no punishment imposed.”

Biological passport stamped FAIL for Pellizotti and Caucchioli... 2 years off, loss of prior wins

The biological passport wins again. Or does it? Remembering that there is no positive test here, just aberrant blood values picked up by an 'expert committee' looking over longitudinal data. Now they may well be right, and I for one have faith that the committee knows what they are looking for - but if you were actually innocent (always possible, you know) how would you feel about 2 years off work for no apparent reason? Gutted? Plus the shame of it. Then again, if we added power values over time to this biological data would that add some extra robustness and quell any doubts? Is it needed or do we simply need more trust in the present system?

Pellizotti Banned For Two Years By The Court Of Arbitration For Sport | Cyclingnews.com

Italy’s Franco Pellizotti has been suspended for two years by the Court of Arbitration for Sport after it upheld an appeal by the UCI.

The 33 year-old was snared by the UCI’s Biological Passport before last year’s Giro d’Italia but was then cleared by the Italian Olympic Committee in October.

Pellizotti’s legal team had requested an urgent verdict and the arbitrators took just five days to reach their decison. His ban is expected to last until May 2012. Fellow Italian Pietro Caucchioli was also given a ban, with CAS confirming the two-year suspension issued by the Italian Olympic Committee.

Chilean cyclist Arriagada fights steroids positive - as you would

Hard to imagine what "tests" he will undergo to prove his innocence, unless his body naturally produces higher-than normal levels of anabolic steroids. We could call that the "But I'm Innocent" or "Landis Type 1" defence. Perhaps Marco will have better luck than Landis.   

SBS: Cycling Central : Chile's top cyclist facing doping test battle

Chile's top cyclist Marco Arriagada announced he has tested positive for banned substances but has pledged to prove his innocence.

Arriagada tested positive during the Tour of Chile, a race he has won three times, in February. According to press reports the 35-year-old's sample tested positive for anabolic steroids.