Seven weeks after the national criterium championships in Midleton, the Irish Cycling Federation (ICF) yesterday announced that a cyclist had tested positive for the substance ephedrine. Russell Tracey (31), from Cork, had been tested by the Irish Sports Council's mobile unit at the July 9th event, with analysis revealing the presence of the banned stimulant. Tracey is not a well-known name in the sport and, according to Ciaran McKenna of the ICF, had no results of significance to his name this year. While the Corkman failed to finish the one-hour street race, he was randomly selected and tested along with seven other riders. His was the only positive result. Tracey waived the right to a second analysis at a recent hearing, where he stated that he had been using a product to facilitate weight loss. According to an ICF statement, "the ephedrine had come from a dietary supplement, which he had purchased in a gymnasium and had been recommended to him by the gym owner as a fat burner".

While the federation accept that the offence was unwitting, Treacy has been suspended from competition until April 9th, 2001.

Yesterday's disclosure marks the second known positive test since the Irish Sports Council scheme was introduced last November. In January, a sample provided by an unnamed Irish boxer at the national championships was found to contain traces of the steroid winstrol.

Eight cyclists have tested positive over the past six years, with five of these cases involving either ephedrine or pseudoephedrine, which is contained in some over-the-counter medications.