While the rest of the sporting world speculated about THG, the designer steroid from the Californian Balco laboratory, Gary Houseman was doomed by THC: this is the active ingredient in cannabis products that can be detected in doping tests. Because of the positive test, Houseman had to take a break until July 2004 ? and lost the most valuable victory of his career at the green table. The annulment of Houseman's victory has no effect on the overall standings of the UCI World Cup: with the exception of Mickael Pascal, all the favorites finished far behind because they had to compete in pouring rain and reduced visibility due to wispy clouds.