Criticism for Keisse

Robert Bartko has criticised his Six Day race partner Iljo Keisse, who tested positive on a doping control, saying the Belgian "didn't do anyone any favors – not himself, not the other riders and certainly not the Six Day races."

Bartko was Keisse's partner at the Gent Six Day race last month, which the two won, but at which Keisse tested positive on the last day. The positive doping control has done a lot of damage to the Six Day scene, but, the German told the dpa agency, "It shows that the system works."

Keisse has asked for the B sample to be tested, but has already been told he is not welcome at the Six Day races in Berlin and Bremen, no matter how the test turns out. He won't ride in Bremen "in any case," said Bremen organiser Frank Minder.

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"No rider under suspicion rides for us. A positive 'A' sample is enough for us," said Berlin Six Day organiser Heinz Seesing.

Keisse reportedly tested positive for the stimulant Cathine (norpseudoephedrine) which is banned by the World Anti-doping Agency in competition. In 2005, Belgian Jan Kuyckx tested positive for the same substance, and argued that the decongestant pseudoephedrine had metabolized to the banned drug in his system. He was later cleared of doping charges.

Two other riders, Stefan Schumacher and Phil Zajicek, also previously tested positive for Cathine and avoided suspensions.