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Ullrich breaks off contract with Telekom Posted: Wednesday September 25, 2002 2:55 PMBERLIN (AP) -- Former Tour de France winner Jan Ullrich has ended his contract with Team Telekom, both sides announced Wednesday. Relations have been strained between the two sides since the German rider, regarded as one of Lance Armstrong's main challengers, tested positive for amphetamines use in June and was suspended for six months. "I'm looking for a new challenge, a complete new start. I know I haven't reached the end of my possibilities yet," said Ullrich, who was also the runner-up four times at the Tour de France. The 28-year-old German's contract ran until 2003, but was suspended in July without pay when he tested positive in an unannounced test for the amphetamines. Ullrich's decision to leave comes after riding seven years for the team. According to German reports, he refused to sign a new contract heavy on performance incentives. Telekom officials have publicly accused their star of lacking the discipline and training habits to accompany his considerable talent. "The decision wasn't easy for me because I'm thankful to Telekom for a lot of things," Ullrich said. "My biggest successes were only possible because of their support -- I'd like to thank them for that." Ullrich's manager wouldn't comment on reports the German would sign with Danish team CSC Tiscali, where his former Telekom teammate and good friend Bjarne Riis is the team boss. "As long as our negotiations with other partners aren't finished, I have nothing to say to the subject of Jan," said Wolfgang Strohband. Ullrich said he took the amphetamine pills during a disco visit the night before the unannounced test. He was given a light suspension of six months by German cycling authorities because he was in rehab for a knee injury, which had forced him out of this year's Tour de France. Amphetamines were not regarded as performance-enhancing for a rider in rehab.
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