A seven-week ban has been imposed on Cork rider Michael Hennessy who tested positive for cannabis use at the ‘Ras Mumhan’. The 36-year-old bagged three top ten stage results in the race at Easter and also finished in 20th position on GC.
However, a sample taken from him after stage 4 returned a positive test for cannabis use. The positive drugs test had been rumoured in cycling circles for weeks.
Here is the full text of a joint statement from Cycling Ireland and the Irish Sports Council:
“Michael Hennessy, a cyclist affiliated to Cycling Ireland, has committed an anti-doping rule violation. Mr Hennessy, a 36 year old from Co Cork, will serve a ban of 7 weeks, subject to his right to appeal within 14 days, as he was found to have taken cannabis in advance of a competition.”
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“Mr Hennessy was tested by doping control after Stage 4 of the Ras Mumhan on the 9th April 2012. He provided a sample which tested positive for the presence of a prohibited substance or its metabolite or marker, tetrahydrocannabinol (cannabis). The Disciplinary Panel found that this was contrary to Article 2.1 of the Irish Anti-Doping Rules and imposed a sanction of a period of ineligibility of seven weeks, commencing on the date of his test, together with the disqualification of results obtained in the 2012 Ras Mumhan or during the seven week period of ineligibility.”
“The Panel took into consideration the oral evidence provided by the athlete and the fact that cannabis may not enhance performance. In deciding the sanction the Panel also gave regard to the timely admission by the athlete of the offence which is both an acknowledgement of wrongdoing and avoids unnecessary delay and expense.”
“The hearing was held under Article 8 (Disciplinary Process) of the Irish Anti-Doping Rules and this announcement is made pursuant to Article 15 (Public Disclosure) of the Rules. The hearing took place on June 5th, 2012.”
Under a new policy of the Irish Sports Council the full Decision of the Disciplinary Panel is available at http://www.irishsportscouncil.ie/Anti-Doping/Testing/Panel_Decisions/
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