Please FReepmail nutmeg if you want on or off the Tour de France 2006 list.
(Sorry for the late start -- computer issues.)
Please FReepmail nutmeg if you want on or off the Tour de France 2006 list.
(Sorry for the late start -- computer issues.)
By wire services
This report filed July 21, 2006 Former Tour de France champion Jan Ullrich, excluded from this year's race because of links to blood-doping, has been sacked by his T-Mobile team, the SID news agency reported on Friday.
T-Mobile had suspended the German, who won the Tour in 1997 and would have been one of the favorites for the 2006 race, the day before the July 1 start.
Also the 2000 Olympic road-race champion, Ullrich was suspected of using the services of doctor Eufemiano Fuentes, whom Spanish police allege is at the heart of a blood-doping network.
T-Mobile general manager Olaf Ludwig announced the news during the 18th stage of the Tour de France between Morzine and Macon, though the sacking had been made in writing on Thursday.
Ullrich has denied allegations of doping. T-Mobile said it was demanding evidence of his innocence. On Monday, Ullrich said his lawyers have asked Spanish officials for written clarification of the accusations and whether they will lead to charges.
The German rider published a statement on his website saying that his dismissal was "unacceptable."
"I am very disappointed that this decision was not communicated to me personally but that it was faxed to my lawyers," Ullrich added. "I find it shameful that, after so many years of good cooperation and after all I have done for the team, I am being treated as a fax number."
The 32-year-old Ullrich had been under contract with T-Mobile until the end of the year.
Thanks for the Tour Ping.
Thanks for the Tour Ping.