Irish cyclist Karl Donnelly has tested positive to a substance banned by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). A urine sample provided by Donnelly after the Tour of the Mournes on July 6th was found to contain Pseudoephidrine, which is on the list of banned substances and classed by the UCI as "a lesser stimulant."

Following confirmation from the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, a UCI approved laboratory, Donnelly attended a hearing of the Federation of Irish Cyclists (FIC) along with his coach, who acknowledged that he had inadvertently administered the substance through a course of herbal teas.

The cyclist had innocently taken the herbal tea over a five-day period before the Tour of the Mournes. In view of the circumstances, the FIC panel invoked a suspension from competition for a period of eight weeks. Donnelly has waived his right of appeal.

After a disappointing National Championships the rider was advised to take the herbal tea tonic which he did for a week. The substance Pseudoephidrine is found in many of the over-the-counter products on sale in Ireland and abroad and is the substance which caused Irish athlete Marie McMahon some distress in Atlanta last year and also caught out former World sprint champion Linford Christie when he claimed to have inadvertently ingested it having taken Gingsing tea.

A disappointed Donnelly, on his return from his Belgian base, said: "This is a minor disaster for me, which in effect puts me out until next season. Having had steady improvement all season, I left my job to try my luck on the continent - and now I'm out.

"While I plead innocence, I am aware that ignorance is a poor excuse. I would like to take the opportunity to warn other sports people to read the label before taking anything, to check the list of banned substances and to get professional advice."