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Geneva - World cycling governing body UCI on Friday banned German cyclist Patrik Sinkewitz after finding doping traces in a blood sample collected during a race in February.
"Earlier today, the UCI advised German rider Patrik Sinkewitz that he is provisionally suspended," said the International Cycling Union (UCI) in a statement.
"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 added.
A growth hormone showed up in tests of a blood sample taken from Sinkewitz at the GP di Lugano on February 27, this year, the UCI said.
"This is the first suspension delivered in cycling on the basis of a test for the detection of the growth hormone, and one of the first cases in all sports combined," said the UCI, adding that it marked an important step in the fight against doping.
Sinkewitz had already been banned for a year after he tested positive for the steroid hormone testosterone on June 8, 2007.
A former Tour of Germany winner, Sinkewitz was sacked by his team T-Mobile during the 2007 Tour after the failed test and he later admitted using blood-booster erythropoietin (EPO) and having undergone blood transfusions.
