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Japan\'s world Superbike Championship leader, Norikuyi Haga, is under a cloud of suspicion following a drug test in South Africa.
FIM, the sport\'s world governing body, has told the Yamaha rider that an above average level of a naturally occurring compound was found in his urine.
FIM said the substance was found in dietary supplements as well as in normal cold remedies and eye-drops. A further confirmation test will be held.
Haga leads the Superbike championship on 104 points from American Colin Edwards and Australian Troy Corser.
He was second in the first race and won the second in Kyalami where the test was held.
In the second round of the title at Victoria\'s Phillip Island circuit on April 23, Haga finished 2nd to Corser in one of the races
His Yamaha team said they planned to co-operate with FIM procedures.
\"We were obviously surprised to hear that there may be a problem, but we are helping the FIM in every way we can to resolve it\" a spokesman said.
\"Noriyuki has been working on his fitness and diet these last few months and we recognise that he is totally dedicated to achieving the championship this year\".
\"He would not intentionally do anything to compromise his chances or damage the spot in any way.
Story reproduced from NZ Herald May 6th 2000.
