Murphy tests positive for banned substance

IRISH cyclist Conor Murphy has tested positive for the substance pseudoephedrine, in a test carried out at the Tour of Ulster on May 5th, 2003.

Murphy placed second on the second stage of the three-day race, finishing seventh overall. He was also named best under-23 rider.

The test, conducted by the UK Sports Council's Drug Free Sport Unit, showed that pseudoephedrine was present at a level greater than the permitted threshold of 25 micrograms per millilitre. The substance is contained in many cold and flu medications, and helps to ease breathing.