Tweet
This has just been released!
From BBC news http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/othe...ng/5132320.stm
I'm shocked at this as I am a keen watcher of the TDF. Anybody else interested?
German rider Jan Ullrich has been suspended by his T-Mobile team on the eve of this year's Tour de France.
Cycling's governing body the UCI has told T-Mobile that Ullrich is involved in an anti-doping probe in Spain.
Ullrich's Spanish team-mate Oscar Sevilla and team manager Rudy Pevenage have also been suspended.
A team spokesman said: "If we are presented with evidence which leads us to doubt the credibility of our riders, then we act upon it immediately."
Following the first reports of the scandal emanating from Spain, T-Mobile management asked all its riders to sign written declarations stating that they were not involved in any way.
Team manager Olaf Ludwig said: "We talked to the riders several times and even have their declarations of innocence in written form.
"At first we had no reason to doubt the riders' statements, but that situation has now changed profoundly."
Reports emerged on Tuesday that Ullrich was part of the investigation but he immediately denied any wrong-doing.
Ullrich, the 1997 winner, had been among the favourites for this year's Tour, which starts on Saturday.
Seven-time champion Lance Armstrong retired after last year's triumph leaving the field wide open.
In addition to his win in 1997, the German has been runner-up five times and was third last year.
Cycling's governing body the UCI has told T-Mobile that Ullrich is involved in an anti-doping probe in Spain.
Ullrich's Spanish team-mate Oscar Sevilla and team manager Rudy Pevenage have also been suspended.
A team spokesman said: "If we are presented with evidence which leads us to doubt the credibility of our riders, then we act upon it immediately."
Following the first reports of the scandal emanating from Spain, T-Mobile management asked all its riders to sign written declarations stating that they were not involved in any way.
Team manager Olaf Ludwig said: "We talked to the riders several times and even have their declarations of innocence in written form.
"At first we had no reason to doubt the riders' statements, but that situation has now changed profoundly."
Reports emerged on Tuesday that Ullrich was part of the investigation but he immediately denied any wrong-doing.
Ullrich, the 1997 winner, had been among the favourites for this year's Tour, which starts on Saturday.
Seven-time champion Lance Armstrong retired after last year's triumph leaving the field wide open.
In addition to his win in 1997, the German has been runner-up five times and was third last year.
I'm shocked at this as I am a keen watcher of the TDF. Anybody else interested?
Comment