Schumacher realises his mistake

By Susan Westemeyer and Jeff Jones

Shimano-Memory Corp rider Stefan Schumacher has now learned the difference between pseudoephedrine and norpseudoephedrine (cathine), after testing positive for the latter during the Rheinland-Pfalz Rundfahrt in May. The German rider told the Nürtinger Zeitung, "This has been the worst week of my life. But, I really am innocent."

Schumacher faces a suspension of up to two years by the German cycling federation (BDR), as athletes are bound by a law of "strict liability" as far as doping substances are concerned. It's always the rider's responsibility to know what they are putting into their body. In this case, there appears to be no argument about the positive test or even how the cathine got there. It's up to the BDR to determine how severe the sanction should be. The USA Cycling Federation let Phil Zajicek off with a warning for a similar offence last year, although he was disqualified from his win at the Tour of Qinghai Lake.