Bernucci sacked by T-Mobile after positive test

LAGOS DE COVADONGA, Spain, Sept 4 (Reuters) Italian rider Lorenzo Bernucci has been sacked by T-Mobile for failing a drugs test during August's Tour of Germany, the team said today.

''The T-Mobile Team last night terminated Lorenzo Bernucci's (contract) upon notice from the UCI (International Cycling Union) of his A-sample positive test for sibutramine,'' the German team announced on its Web site (www.t-mobile-team.com).

Sibutramine is an appetite suppressant. The Web site said Bernucci, 27, had admitted taking the substance and did not realise it had been added to the prohibited list last year.

''We do not know if this was an attempt at performance enhancement or just poor judgment,'' team manager Bob Stapleton said.

''But we know it is unacceptable that riders take any medication without the approval of the team doctor. It's a clear violation of our code of conduct and we act now on that basis.'' Bernucci had been competing in the Tour of Spain for T-Mobile but did not start Tuesday's stage from Langreo to the Lagos de Covadonga. He was lying 21st overall yesterday.

Bernucci's biggest career victory was a Tour de France stage win in 2005 whilst riding for the now defunct Fassa Bortolo squad.

T-Mobile dismissed Patrik Sinkewitz in July following a positive test for elevated levels of testosterone. The German said he had used a gel containing the male sex hormone.

Former riders from Team Telekom -- the predecessor to T-Mobile -- Erik Zabel, Rolf Aldag and 1996 Tour de France winner Bjarne Riis, admitted using illegal performance-enhancing substances.

Despite the recent doping cases involving the team, T-Mobile's sponsor Deutsche Telekom announced last month it would continue its 16-year involvement in cycling.

REUTERS TB BD1946