Ullrich named in doping probe

2006-08-17 13:31

Munich - German cycling star Jan Ullrich has been named directly in connection with a Spanish doping probe, the Sueddeutsche Zeitung (SZ) reported on Thursday.

The Munich-based SZ broadsheet printed a fax with the name "Jan Ulrich" (written with one letter "l") on it and signed by "Eufuentes." Spanish doctor Eufemiano Fuentes is at the centre of the investigation.

The report said that in the fax Fuentes asks Colombian Nelson Giraldo Flores, allegedly a courier, for help during the "Festival in May," which according to the SZ was a reference to the Giro d'Italia which took place May 6-28, 2006.

The fax lists among others several riders, including Ullrich, who competed in the Giro, and the later Giro winner Ivan Basso.

Ullrich, 32, has said repeatedly that he didn't use forbidden substances and did not know Fuentes. His manager Wolfgang Strohband said on Thursday he was in possession of the fax and named the SZ article "outrageous."

Ullrich and Basso were suspended by their teams, T-Mobile and CSC, respectively, on the eve of the Tour de France last month over the Spanish probe in which investigators allege that Fuentes carried out illegal blood transfusion among riders and gave them doping substances. Ullrich was later sacked by T-Mobile.

The SZ report came a day after the Swiss cycling federation announced proceedings against Ullrich as the German lives in Switzerland and has a Swiss cycling licence.

Ullrich could face a life ban if found guilty as a second-time offender. He was caught using a recreational drug a few years ago.

- SAPA