Ullrich banned for six months

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) -- Former Tour de France winner Jan Ullrich has been banned for six months after testing positive for amphetamines, the German cycling union (BDR) said Tuesday.

Ullrich received half of the maximum suspension and also was fined 2,000 Swiss francs (US$1,400), the BDR said in a statement.

A three-man BDR disciplinary panel ruled that Ullrich did not take the amphetamines to enhance his performance and imposed the minimum penalty, the statement said.

Ullrich, Tour de France winner in 1997 and four-time runner-up, tested positive for amphetamines in a previously unannounced, out-of-competition test June 12.

Earlier this month, Ullrich admitted taking "two little pills" in a disco the night before the test but denied taking performance-enhancing drugs.

Ullrich has been sidelined for most of the season with a knee injury and was recovering from surgery when he was tested.

"Ullrich did not take the amphetamines to enhance his performance," said Peter Barth, a Frankfurt lawyer who headed the three-man disciplinary panel.

Barth said Ullrich's explanation was credible and that he took the pills because of "mental stress."

Ullrich's Team Telekom officials said Monday they were uncertain about the cycling star's future.

"Right now, Jan doesn't know himself whether he will come back as a cycling professional," Team Telekom chief Walter Godefroot was quoted as saying in an interview with the German sports news agency SID.

"Jan has often said things without following them with deeds," Godefroot said about Ullrich's promise to come back. "Let's wait and see how serious he is."

"We've learned to be cautious with what he says," another Team Telekom leader, Rudy Pavenage, told SID.

Ullrich is on vacation in the United States.

His manager Wolfgang Strohband said Tuesday he and Ullrich had expected a six-moth ban and that his client would overcome the setback.

"I am absolutely convinced that he will be fully back next season," Strohband said.

"It's not clear yet how long Jan will remain in the United States. When he comes back, the first thing will be to take care of his knee," the manager said.

"But nothing has changed in his intention to win the Tour one more time," he said.

Ullrich had his driving license confiscated after a night of drinking in May. He lost control of his Porsche, damaged several parked bicycles and fled the scene of the accident.

Ullrich has blamed frustration over his long-lasting injury for his erratic behavior

Although officially six months long, Ullrich's ban expires next March 24 to take into account the idle winter months.

 

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