T-Mobile have voluntarily ended their race season as a result of team member Lorenzo Bernucci positive test for a banned substance.

The squad's final race was the Circuit Franco-Belge, where Britain's Mark Cavendish placed second overall for the squad. They will now miss the final two ProTour races of the year: Paris-Tours (October 14) and the Giro di Lombardia (October 20).

Team boss Bob Stapleton announced the decision on Sunday. "With this decision we follow the spirit of the team ethical code that was discussed in Salzburg in September 2006 and to reinforce our commitment to clean and fair sport," Stapleton said in reference to the agreement that ProTour teams struck with the UCI to suspend racing for a week if two riders tested positive in a calendar year.

Bernucci's positive for banned appetite suppressant Sibultramine was the team's second positive this year after it was announced during this year's Tour de France that Patrik Sinkewitz tested positive for testosterone on June 8. Bernucci's test failure was announced during the Tour of Spain in September. Both riders have been fired from T-Mobile.

RELATED LINKS

Bernucci gets sack from T-Mobile

T-Mobile worried about future after Sinkewitz positive

Sinkewitz fails dope test

Cav comes close in Franco-Belge

EXTERNAL LINKS

T-Mobile team: www.t-mobile-team.com.

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Nigel Wynn
Former Associate Editor

Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.