Official statement from Amber Neben of T-Mobile

Dear family, friends, and members of the cycling community;

I remember how sad I was reading about Scott Moninger’s suspension last November.  Like many people in the Cycling community, I read Scott’s letter and believed and supported him fully in his fight against a sanction that in my opinion was undeserved.  Unfortunately, I have a similar story to tell you now.

In July while racing in Italy, I was handed a letter from the UCI notifying me that my A sample taken on May 31 had tested positive for nandrolone metabolites at a level of 6.9ng/ml.  This was a trace amount of 1.9 parts per billion over the legal limit.  Wow.  To say I was shocked is an understatement.  I cried as I struggled to understand what could have happened.  As an athlete, I try to be prepared for anything to happen in competition, but I was not prepared for this.  During my two and a half years as a professional road cyclist I had no reason to ever think about a positive test, as I have never taken nor had any intention of taking nandrolone or any other substance that is banned by the IOC, UCI, USADA, or WADA. 

I am trying to figure out what happened.  I have been tested 11 times over the last two years, both in and out of competition, and every time I have tested negative. In fact I had tested negative 9 days before and then again both 3 and 4 days after the alleged positive test.

My advisors and I are researching several possible sources and reasons for the alleged positive test result.  According to the research and the experts I have spoken with, the trace amount (6.9ng/ml) detected, and the negative tests immediately before and after this test will definitely prove that there was absolutely no intentional use of a banned substance, and the trace amount detected had absolutely no performance enhancing benefit.

I have no desire to cheat. Like many of you, I work as hard, as smart, and as disciplined as I can.  With the support of my Coach and family, I have dedicated myself to my training and development.  I have done the 6:15 AM rides, the 5- hour rides in the rain, the mountain climbs, the holiday morning training rides.  I try to eat well and take care of my body.  I have come by my results honestly.  I would rather finish off the podium and be clean, than on it and dirty.  I love the sport of cycling.  I would never want to do anything to damage our sport or bring it down.

I am fighting this challenge with the same focus and motivation that I compete with, but in order to prepare for the appeal process, I have (regretfully) voluntarily suspended myself from competition.  My goal is to return to competition and my teammates as soon as possible.  I am also trying to focus on the positives.  I have amazing people standing behind me; I have my health, an awesome marriage, friends from all walks of life, my family, my faith in an unwavering God and so much much more.  I am very blessed. 

Finally, it is very scary to think that your integrity and career can be devastated like this.    I wouldn’t wish it on anybody. Thank you so much for your support and for taking the time to read this.

Sincerely,

Amber Neben

T-Mobile Statement Concerning Voluntary Suspension of Professional Cyclist Amber Neben

Amber Neben has separately communicated to the Cycling Community her decision to voluntarily suspend herself from competition, pending the resolution of test results from samples taken May 31, 2003 during competition in Montreal. These tests indicate the presence of trace amounts of nandralone, a banned substance, that are above the limits set forth by the National and International governing bodies of the sport of cycling and the Olympics. Any such test results, regardless of amounts, intent or knowledge, necessitate a suspension from team activities until the matter is resolved.

T-Mobile fully supports the National and International efforts to provide a competitive environment that is free from illegal and potentially performance enhancing substances. We also support the rights of individual athletes, like Amber to seek a fair and appropriate resolution, and to return to competition.

Holland Ladies Tour - Final Results

Stage 5 Results

   1   41  GBR19830413  COOKE, Nicole            AGS        3h23'06"

   2  150  RUS19800510  ZABELINSKAIA, Olga       VDC        à 00"

   3   33  SWE19760316  LJUNGSKOG, Susanne       BIP        à 00"

   4   78  GER19810928  WORRACK, Trixi           NUR        à 02"

   5   54  CAN19671125  JUTRAS, Manon            TVB        à 02"

   6   35  NOR19681212  VALEN, Anita             BIP        à 1'14"

   7   29  ITA19731203  LONGHIN, Katia           ADO        à 1'14"

   8   75  SWE19720301  LINDBERG, Madeleine      NUR        à 1'14"

   9   31  LTU19760528  ZILIUTE, Diana           ADO        à 1'14"

  10   26  NED19780405  BELTMAN, Ghita           ADO        à 1'14"

  11   60  GER19810115  BRODTKA, Angela          Ger        à 1'14"

  12    4  SUI19710510  DOPPMANN, Priska         VLL        à 1'14"

  13    7  BEL19811224  INGELS, Veerle           VLL        à 1'14"

  14    3  BEL19760124  PIETERS, Cindy           VLL        à 1'14"

  15   97  NED19801127  GUNNEWIJK, Loes          OND        à 1'14"

  16  134  NED19760929  ROMBOUTS, Sandra         HCT        à 1'14"

  17   61  GER19820122  BAHLER, Liane            Ger        à 1'14"

  18    9  NED19750926  MELCHERS, Mirjam         Far        à 1'14"

  19  145  UKR19721209  KARPENKO, Valentyna      VDC        à 1'14"

  20   70  GBR19730507  NEWSTEAD, Frances        GBR        à 1'14"

  21   80  GER19760723  ARNDT, Judith            NUR        à 1'14"

  22   27  ITA19800406  CARRARA, Vera            ADO        à 1'14"

  23   58  GER19820202  SENFF, Theresa           Ger        à 1'14"

  24   59  GER19800428  LIEBIG, Tina             Ger        à 1'14"

  25  146  RUS19710815  POLKHANOVA, Valentina    VDC        à 1'14"

  26   55  USA19720521  FREEDMAN, Nicole         TVB        à 2'32"

  27    1  NED19721221  MANSVELD, Debby          VLL        à 2'32"

  28   98  NED19830119  VAN DONGEN, Minke        OND        à 2'32"

  29   12  NED19760405  VAN DER ZEE, Anouska     Far        à 2'34"

  30   30  LTU19730903  URBONAITE, Zita          ADO        à 2'34"

  31   15  GBR19730401  HEAL, Rachel             Far        à 2'34"

  32   22  NED19810923  HASSINK, Areke           NED        à 2'34"

  33  132  GER19710630  HENNES, Tanja            HCT        à 2'34"

  34   25  NED19760825  BELTMAN, Chantal         ADO        à 2'34"

  35   13  NED19760208  VAN ALEBEEK, Sissy       Far        à 9'04"

  36  121  POL19710124  MATUSIAK, Bogumila       BON        à 9'04"

  37  144  GER19840314  KNIETZSCH, Jane          MIX4       à 17'47"

  38   14  GER19780319  MISSBACH, Sandra         Far        à 17'47"

  39   45  LTU19801225  VILUNAITE, Erika         AGS        à 17'47"

  40   24  NED19850327  BOSKAMP, Joan            NED        à 17'47"

  41   10  NED19810905  VAN DER HELM, Esther     Far        à 17'47"

  42   32  ITA19780508  D'ETTORRE, Alessandra    ADO        à 17'47"

  43   17  NED19820930  WALLAARD, Jaccolien      NED        à 17'47"

  44   11  NED19840416  DE GOEDE, Suzanne        Far        à 17'47"

  45  113  NED19660830  VAN DONGEN-COOLS,Jolanda MIX3       à 17'47"

  46   21  NED19820531  SPIJKERMAN, Bertine      NED        à 17'47"

  47   73  GER19780630  CYRUS, Cornelia          NUR        à 17'47"

  48   50  NED19820930  MULDERS, Catharina       TVB        à 17'47"

  49   20  NED19820825  GROENVELD, Josephine     NED        à 17'47"

  50  149  UKR19800203  SIMONOVA, Iryna          VDC        à 17'47"

  51  108  NED19780607  BROK, Janneke            MIX2       à 17'47"

  52   74  GER19790526  HEMPEL, Patricia         NUR        à 17'47"

  53  122  POL19790615  WYSOCKA, Malgorzata      BON        à 17'47"

  54   34  NED19741114  LINTHORST, Francis       BIP        à 17'47"

  55   81  NOR19770422  TORP, Linn               NOR        à 17'47"

  56  114  NED19670206  HORMES-RAVENSTIJN, Reza  MIX3       à 17'47"

  57   62  GER19830812  SANDIG, Madeleine        Ger        à 17'47"

  58    8  BEL19810222  WERNER, Laure            VLL        à 17'47"

  59    6  BEL19771029  BELLETER, Veronique      VLL        à 17'47"

  60   67  GBR19790318  GOLDSMITH, Charlotte     GBR        à 17'47"

  61  137  GER19770205  BEYER, Susanne           MIX4       à 17'47"

  62   69  GBR19820313  HARE, Catherine          GBR        à 17'47"

Stage 6 Results

   1   31  LTU19760528  ZILIUTE, Diana           ADO        2h40'17"

   2   55  USA19720521  FREEDMAN, Nicole         TVB        à 00"

   3   60  GER19810115  BRODTKA, Angela          Ger        à 00"

   4   29  ITA19731203  LONGHIN, Katia           ADO        à 00"

   5   35  NOR19681212  VALEN, Anita             BIP        à 00"

   6   11  NED19840416  DE GOEDE, Suzanne        Far        à 00"

   7   33  SWE19760316  LJUNGSKOG, Susanne       BIP        à 00"

   8   67  GBR19790318  GOLDSMITH, Charlotte     GBR        à 00"

   9  113  NED19660830  VAN DONGEN-COOLS,Jolanda MIX3       à 00"

  10   21  NED19820531  SPIJKERMAN, Bertine      NED        à 00"

  11   10  NED19810905  VAN DER HELM, Esther     Far        à 00"

  12    1  NED19721221  MANSVELD, Debby          VLL        à 00"

  13    6  BEL19771029  BELLETER, Veronique      VLL        à 00"

  14  149  UKR19800203  SIMONOVA, Iryna          VDC        à 00"

  15  132  GER19710630  HENNES, Tanja            HCT        à 00"

  16   14  GER19780319  MISSBACH, Sandra         Far        à 00"

  17   26  NED19780405  BELTMAN, Ghita           ADO        à 00"

  18   98  NED19830119  VAN DONGEN, Minke        OND        à 00"

  19   61  GER19820122  BAHLER, Liane            Ger        à 00"

  20   17  NED19820930  WALLAARD, Jaccolien      NED        à 00"

  21    9  NED19750926  MELCHERS, Mirjam         Far        à 00"

  22    4  SUI19710510  DOPPMANN, Priska         VLL        à 00"

  23   25  NED19760825  BELTMAN, Chantal         ADO        à 00"

  24  150  RUS19800510  ZABELINSKAIA, Olga       VDC        à 00"

  25   45  LTU19801225  VILUNAITE, Erika         AGS        à 00"

  26   80  GER19760723  ARNDT, Judith            NUR        à 00"

  27  121  POL19710124  MATUSIAK, Bogumila       BON        à 00"

  28   24  NED19850327  BOSKAMP, Joan            NED        à 00"

  29   30  LTU19730903  URBONAITE, Zita          ADO        à 00"

  30   78  GER19810928  WORRACK, Trixi           NUR        à 00"

  31   73  GER19780630  CYRUS, Cornelia          NUR        à 00"

  32   15  GBR19730401  HEAL, Rachel             Far        à 00"

  33  144  GER19840314  KNIETZSCH, Jane          MIX4       à 00"

  34  114  NED19670206  HORMES-RAVENSTIJN, Reza  MIX3       à 00"

  35   20  NED19820825  GROENVELD, Josephine     NED        à 00"

  36   75  SWE19720301  LINDBERG, Madeleine      NUR        à 00"

  37  134  NED19760929  ROMBOUTS, Sandra         HCT        à 00"

  38  108  NED19780607  BROK, Janneke            MIX2       à 00"

  39   58  GER19820202  SENFF, Theresa           Ger        à 00"

  40   70  GBR19730507  NEWSTEAD, Frances        GBR        à 00"

  41   69  GBR19820313  HARE, Catherine          GBR        à 00"

  42   97  NED19801127  GUNNEWIJK, Loes          OND        à 00"

  43   59  GER19800428  LIEBIG, Tina             Ger        à 00"

  44  145  UKR19721209  KARPENKO, Valentyna      VDC        à 00"

  45   34  NED19741114  LINTHORST, Francis       BIP        à 00"

  46   22  NED19810923  HASSINK, Areke           NED        à 00"

  47    3  BEL19760124  PIETERS, Cindy           VLL        à 00"

  48    7  BEL19811224  INGELS, Veerle           VLL        à 00"

  49   54  CAN19671125  JUTRAS, Manon            TVB        à 00"

  50  137  GER19770205  BEYER, Susanne           MIX4       à 00"

  51    8  BEL19810222  WERNER, Laure            VLL        à 00"

  52   50  NED19820930  MULDERS, Catharina       TVB        à 00"

  53   27  ITA19800406  CARRARA, Vera            ADO        à 00"

  54   62  GER19830812  SANDIG, Madeleine        Ger        à 00"

  55   12  NED19760405  VAN DER ZEE, Anouska     Far        à 00"

  56   13  NED19760208  VAN ALEBEEK, Sissy       Far        à 00"

  57   81  NOR19770422  TORP, Linn               NOR        à 1'10"

General and Final Classification after Stage 6

   1   33  SWE19760316  LJUNGSKOG, Susanne       BIP       18h05'03"

   2   78  GER19810928  WORRACK, Trixi           NUR        à 19"

   3  150  RUS19800510  ZABELINSKAIA, Olga       VDC        à 25"

   4    9  NED19750926  MELCHERS, Mirjam         Far        à 1'03"

   5   35  NOR19681212  VALEN, Anita             BIP        à 1'23"

   6   75  SWE19720301  LINDBERG, Madeleine      NUR        à 1'28"

   7   80  GER19760723  ARNDT, Judith            NUR        à 1'31"

   8   97  NED19801127  GUNNEWIJK, Loes          OND        à 1'37"

   9   31  LTU19760528  ZILIUTE, Diana           ADO        à 1'50"

  10  145  UKR19721209  KARPENKO, Valentyna      VDC        à 2'03"

  11   58  GER19820202  SENFF, Theresa           Ger        à 2'14"

  12   61  GER19820122  BAHLER, Liane            Ger        à 2'15"

  13   29  ITA19731203  LONGHIN, Katia           ADO        à 2'31"

  14   15  GBR19730401  HEAL, Rachel             Far        à 2'32"

  15   12  NED19760405  VAN DER ZEE, Anouska     Far        à 2'32"

  16   26  NED19780405  BELTMAN, Ghita           ADO        à 2'33"

  17   98  NED19830119  VAN DONGEN, Minke        OND        à 2'55"

  18   70  GBR19730507  NEWSTEAD, Frances        GBR        à 2'59"

  19    4  SUI19710510  DOPPMANN, Priska         VLL        à 3'05"

  20   22  NED19810923  HASSINK, Areke           NED        à 3'05"

  21    7  BEL19811224  INGELS, Veerle           VLL        à 3'12"

  22  134  NED19760929  ROMBOUTS, Sandra         HCT        à 3'12"

  23   25  NED19760825  BELTMAN, Chantal         ADO        à 3'31"

  24   30  LTU19730903  URBONAITE, Zita          ADO        à 3'53"

  25  132  GER19710630  HENNES, Tanja            HCT        à 4'17"

  26   55  USA19720521  FREEDMAN, Nicole         TVB        à 4'24"

  27    1  NED19721221  MANSVELD, Debby          VLL        à 4'25"

  28   60  GER19810115  BRODTKA, Angela          Ger        à 7'54"

  29   54  CAN19671125  JUTRAS, Manon            TVB        à 8'07"

  30   59  GER19800428  LIEBIG, Tina             Ger        à 8'08"

  31   13  NED19760208  VAN ALEBEEK, Sissy       Far        à 8'46"

  32    3  BEL19760124  PIETERS, Cindy           VLL        à 9'01"

  33   27  ITA19800406  CARRARA, Vera            ADO        à 9'05"

  34  121  POL19710124  MATUSIAK, Bogumila       BON        à 15'28"

  35   10  NED19810905  VAN DER HELM, Esther     Far        à 17'32"

  36   34  NED19741114  LINTHORST, Francis       BIP        à 17'49"

  37   20  NED19820825  GROENVELD, Josephine     NED        à 18'01"

  38   21  NED19820531  SPIJKERMAN, Bertine      NED        à 18'18"

  39   17  NED19820930  WALLAARD, Jaccolien      NED        à 18'18"

  40  113  NED19660830  VAN DONGEN-COOLS,Jolanda MIX3       à 19'32"

  41   45  LTU19801225  VILUNAITE, Erika         AGS        à 19'45"

  42    6  BEL19771029  BELLETER, Veronique      VLL        à 19'45"

  43  114  NED19670206  HORMES-RAVENSTIJN, Reza  MIX3       à 19'45"

  44   11  NED19840416  DE GOEDE, Suzanne        Far        à 23'38"

  45   73  GER19780630  CYRUS, Cornelia          NUR        à 23'57"

  46  149  UKR19800203  SIMONOVA, Iryna          VDC        à 24'29"

  47   62  GER19830812  SANDIG, Madeleine        Ger        à 24'41"

  48   24  NED19850327  BOSKAMP, Joan            NED        à 25'31"

  49   14  GER19780319  MISSBACH, Sandra         Far        à 25'32"

  50   67  GBR19790318  GOLDSMITH, Charlotte     GBR        à 25'38"

  51  144  GER19840314  KNIETZSCH, Jane          MIX4       à 25'38"

  52    8  BEL19810222  WERNER, Laure            VLL        à 25'38"

  53  108  NED19780607  BROK, Janneke            MIX2       à 25'38"

  54   50  NED19820930  MULDERS, Catharina       TVB        à 25'38"

  55  137  GER19770205  BEYER, Susanne           MIX4       à 25'38"

  56   69  GBR19820313  HARE, Catherine          GBR        à 26'05"

  57   81  NOR19770422  TORP, Linn               NOR        à 26'48"

2003 UCI World Mountain Bike Championships

As you will all have read by now, Greg Minnaar today became the 2003 UCI Mountain Bike World Champion for Men's Downhill. We're a little late getting this email release out as we've been enjoying the moment so to speak, and rather than repeat all that's been said already, we just wanted to say that today Greg.. 1) Became the first South African ever to win a World Championship in any cycling discipline. 2) Is now only the 8th senior man ever to hold this prestigious title in this category. 3) Has taken the title 10 years after his Team Manager Mike King took the same title in 1993. 4) Is extraordinarily grateful to all that have helped him reached this goal. On behalf of Greg who is currently in Lugano city centre enjoying the aftermath of the win, we just want to say thanks to all those that have supported him, believed in him, and cheered for him. He will be wearing the rainbow colors with enormous pride next week in Kaprun, Austria. - Courtesy of Martin Whiteley, Director of 23 Degrees Sports Managment