A statement from Patrik Sinkewitz's lawyer, Dr. Michael Lehner denied that his client made any statement naming outgoing World Champion Paolo Bettini as the source of the testosterone gel for which he subsequently tested positive. German television broadcaster ZDF quoted Sinkewitz on Wednesday as saying, "I got the Testogel from Italian riders and I can also name them, they were Davide Bramati and Bettini."
The statement went on to say that Sinkewitz had been giving "informal declarations to the independent commission care of the German Cycling Federation with the task of clarifying the phenomenon of doping in cycling", and that the statements were not part of any formal written record. Therefore, "these comments made and published by the Press cannot in any way be confirmed by Mr Sinkewitz who denies them."
Bettini had reportedly requested the retraction from his former team-mate Sinkewitz, saying, "If as you say you didn't say what has been reported then issue a denial immediately. If you have said what has been reported then you will have to be held responsible."
