I am innocent until proven guilty, says Ullrich
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-07-18 06:44
GAP, France, July 17 - Former Tour de France winner Jan Ullrich says he
is innocent of any doping allegations made against him, until proven guilty.
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T-Mobile cyclists Jan Ullrich of Germany (R) and Oscar Sevilla of
Spain smile during the presentation of the T-Mobile cycling team 2006 in
Santanyi, Mallorca in this January 14, 2006 file photo.
[Reuters] | "As in any country subject to the rule
of law, the until proven guilty standard applies not only to me, but to every
other person, too," the German said in a statement on Monday.
Ullrich, who won the Tour in 1997, was suspended by T-Mobile along with team
mate Oscar Sevilla and sporting director Rudy Pevenage on the eve of this year's
race after being implicated in a Spanish doping scandal.
T-Mobile had given Ullrich until last Saturday to provide a written
explanation after his name appeared on a list of nine Tour riders named in the
investigation.
"Contrary to other reports, my lawyers have forwarded a written declaration
about the allegations made against me to the managing agency of my team, the
Olaf Ludwig Cycling GmbH, in due time last Thursday," the statement read.
"At the recommendation of my lawyers, I will currently release no further
public explanations.
"My lawyers are in contact with the Spanish investigation authorities in
order to determine, if and in what form allegations have been actually made
against me."
Giro d'Italia champion Ivan Basso and Spaniard Francisco Mancebo were among
other riders withdrawn from the Tour amid the doping scandal.
The investigation came to light in May when the Spanish Civil Guard raided
addresses in Madrid and Zaragoza and found large quantities of anabolic
steroids, equipment used for blood transfusions and more than 100 bags of frozen
blood.
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