Sinkewitz withdraws appeal

Former T-Mobile rider Sinkewitz, who tested positive for the male sex hormone testosterone last June, had been suspended for one year instead of two after promising to help authorities fight the sport's doping problem.

"Patrik Sinkewitz took his responsibilities and, with his confession, helped to get to the bottom of this affair," the German cycling federation declared.

"He now can do everything to get a new job."

Sinkewitz told a disciplinary committee last November that he had been using doping substances, including the blood-booster EPO, since 2003.

He will be allowed to race from July 17.