News for December 5, 1997

Contracts and Transfers

Some of the other riders that will be part of Team Telekom '98 will be Bjarne Riis (Tour de France winner in 1996) and Erik Zabel winner of Milano-Sanremo, who will know start talking about the extension of his contract which ends on January 1st, 1999. Two Italians will be part of the team: Giovanni Lombardi and new acquisition Francesco Frattini. For next year the jerseys of Ullrich, Riis, Zabel, Lombardi, Frattini and the other riders will have next to their usual "T" for Telekom, the mark: "D1" (Deutsche 1), which advertises the German mobile telephone company.

- In 1998, the Telekom will not only finance the professional ‘Team Telekom’ (with 10 million marks a year), but also a second team of 10 - 12 espoirs. The name of this team with talented riders under 23 will be ‘Jan-Ullrich-Team’, and it will have the signature of Jan Ullrich on the shirts. The team will be supervised by former Telekom pro Olaf Ludwig and coached by Peter Becker, who has been the coach of Jan Ullrich in former years and who still has ‘20 per cent influence’ (according to Jan Ullrich) on the training of the Tour-de-France winner. For the interview see below.

Dutch Drugs Scandal - Part 12

In 1992, Michiel Karsten, a Haarlem doctor with liberal attitudes to drugs, openly talked on TV about the national skating team for the Olympic Games in Albertville and the drugs consulting that they had had. Half the country was stood on its head. He is talking again about Sanders. Here is the monologue of an insider.

"Surprised by the Sanders Question? No, sir. It is my opinion that the drug tests in the sporting world are a farce. There is massive drug taking going and and so this not a search for truth. Sports bodies have butter in their heads. They are not seeking to find the drugs use by sportspeople. That would make the Sponsors too afraid to be involved.

"Oh sir, you certainly cannot believe the percentages - there are so few sports people who are caught taking drugs? The controls are not taken seriously. Have you ever seen the manner in which the controls are performed? Have you seen that the tests actually take place? How often? How many sports people? Receipts from the laboratories? During the 1995 Tour de France there was a communique proudly spread around that declared that all the drug tests were negative. Do you believe that? Also if you wanted to do really serious tests you would drop in unannounced during the training periods and they would be 99.9 per cent positive. And what of the Olympic Games in Atlanta. I am sure that there was a deal about drug testing made. I am sure that the main sponsor made a deal beforehand which guarantees, for instance, that no American will run the risk of being caught. In the months before the Olympic Games there was no American tested. In other countries too. How can it be handled like this?

If you are all speaking out about banning drug taking, you must make it as difficult as possible. If you want people to drive on the highway at a maximum speed of 120 kms per hour, you must make the penalties high so that everyone actually does it and the speed limit holds. So it is in the sporting world. Now it is a question of how much space. All the great organisations control themselves. That is certainly a farce. That certainly creates a climate where unsavoury business will thrive. These affairs will always occur then. Independent people should do the tests. Then I might believe them more.

"I have been around for 25 years, working with banned substances. There have been some very strange things. I can talk about anabolics. They can be played with. I have nothing secret to hide. But since the medical organisations have spoken with people and have been asking questions about drugs, I am less open. Who regulates the money for the each doctor, the member or non-member of our club. I'd love you to show me the rules. I can give drugs if I find that a violinist is under stress preparing for an important competition, But I may not prescribe a substance to a billiard player or a shooter.

"With EPO and growth hormones I have never dealt with and I never will. The great problem with EPO is that sport's people are taking it in combination with other products. This strengthens the effect, but all the risks are increased. The combination of products is the problem. Sportspeople do not know the interactions between the products. Taking a dose must be administered under the supervision of a doctor, but they are not allowed to write prespcriptions for such substances. I refer all sportspeople who now come to me for banned substances to the Netherlands Centre for Drug Problems, but i know that they are also buying in the black market. And that is very bad business. There is no quality control Doctors have no possibility of intervening and advising sportspeole of the ins and outs.

"Real sports medicine doctors - not like me nor Wim Sanders - the top doctors and the doctors of less importance must lead the way. They must take no money from the sports teams and sport's organisations. Ha, and sport's teams love a doctor who will supply them banned substances.

"The normal patients of Wim Sanders find a quality service. A disaster for everyone. Sanders telephoned me after the invasion of the FIOD of his practice and told me that that his administration was being named. I was bewildered. This mockery of our profession. Everyone in a doctor's practice must remain silent and keep confidences, also the cleaning women and vacation help. That is the first thing a doctor says to a helper. No-one should expect that the things they come to the doctor for would be revealed after a search by the police. That is our responsibility. The doctor's financial administration and his patients administration must be kept secret.

Next: Sports drugs sold via the Internet.

Jan Ullrich Interview

The article has the headline "I make myself rare because my sport does not allow for more public appearances."

Jan is receiving many honours these days. A French newspaper appointed the first German winner of the Tour de France to the World's best Professional cyclist for the 1997 season. In Italy he received the Fausto Coppi Trophy, and on Sunday, Ullrich will become Germany's Athlete of the Year. Sponsors are fighting among themselves for him ad surveys are showing that the man from Rostock (East) and Merdingen (West) enjoys an amazing amount of sympathy, despite his reticence.

SZ spoke with the 24-year old from Team Telekom about his new fame and wealth, his East German past, and his All-German present, about drugs and the Golden Hen.

SZ: - Do you remember all the awards you won this year - where and for what?

Ullrich: - The big things like the Bambi, Velo d'Or (The Golden Bike) and the Golden Hen.

SZ: - The Golden Hen?

Ullrich: - This is a kind of Bambi in the East, for people from all levels, I think. I wasn't there.

SZ: - Are you proud of this, or would you rather give such ceremonies the miss more often?

Ullrich: - These award ceremonies are always a kind of recognition for performance, but for me it was always a Party. They were rather a bit hectic. I couldn't enjoy it. A very nice ceremony was the Bambi Award. It was very nice to meet other people, not only athletes. You meet everyone, even Harrison Ford was there.

SZ: - He probably does not know you.

Ullrich: - No he probably doesn't. Most of the other probably did though.

SZ: - Do you feel a celebrity among celebrities?

Ullrich: - These are all normal people, who followed the Tour (de France). Harald Schmidt (the German David Letterman), for example, is a big fan of mine.

SZ: - But you still did not appear in his "late night show". Most TV invitations are rejected by your Manager Wolfgang Strohband.

Ullrich: - I make myself rare, because my sport does not allow for more. If I was to be involved in a sport where I only needed to train for two hours a day to be successful, then I would go to an evening TV show late at night (23.00). I am not someone who is always keen to push myself to (get attention from) the media. Firstly, I want to improve in my sport.

SZ: - You are followed by the rumours that it is already too much hassle for you to receive from hostesses during the victory ceremonies.

Ullrich: - After a 250 km Mountain stage you don't stand up there as if nothing has happened. If you go for the last 1.5 hours to the limit, then this is quite trivial. I did not think - I will now go to the podium and kiss the girls. I'd rather go to the massage in the hotel than to the everyday procedures of the victory ceremony.

SZ: - Your next presentation will be on Sunday. At the German "Athlete of the Year" awards you should be unbeatable. Micheal Schumacher possibly "shoved" himself out of contention. is this to be the high point of all the different kinds of awards?

Ullrich: - I do not know if I will get it. But it would be a great thing for Cycling. There are so many good athletes in Germany.

on his East German past.....

SZ: - But no one else would be suitable as the All-German Integration Symbol as you.

Ullrich: -I feel as a normal All-German, there is no West or East. But there are two different worlds, you feel that. One party accepts you only as a Rostocker or a Berliner, the other only as a Merdinger or a Hamburger. It was very important for myself to experience all the different stages, but it was not so easy.

SZ: - You have an East German coach, Peter Becker, and you put a lot of emphasis on the fact the foundation (for your current success) was laid at the East Berlin Sports School.

Ullrich: - The four years have shaped me, and I have for eleven years had a very good relationship with Peter Becker, even if the Training Plan accounts for only 20 per cent (of my performance). From the East German sports system there are only two left, but 50 received support (in the first instance). We could combine School and Sport in a fantastic way. I left my home early, matured, this has shaped me as a person. For me, it was so good.

SZ: - In Merdingen, there is an "Ullrich Street". What is planned in Rostock? A Jan Ullrich Stadium perhaps?

Ullrich: - They want to do something too. "Honourable Member of the HANSA (Soccer Club) or something like that. There are a number of offers. They are "pissed off", but I was only in Rostock for one day to visit my family. I did not go to the mayor to sign in the "Golden Book". I am not interested in such things and there is no time for it.

on money.....

SZ: - You have been very busy. You raced 15 competitions after the Tour, sometimes for DM50,000 ($A43000) per race. Late reimbursement, after you gave all your prizemoney you earned during the Tour to your team?

Ullrich: - The reward always comes later. But these races were not only designated to "make a killing", these were planned beforehand. At some races for the Team, I have not received a cent. For some I received appearance money.

SZ: - There, you met the results of you popularity. In Nurnberg, Scwering or Hamburg, where hundreds of thousands were on the streets. Girls screeched, fans nearly crushed you, sometimes you had to flee in panic. Too much attention?

Ullrich: - 40,000 or 50,000 spectators are better than 100, but for me it is stress. Most of them want autographs and interviews. It is also rather dangerous. I had some pencils pushed into my eyes, that was crazy. I never thought that it would become so extreme.

SZ: - As with most stars your family has been brought to the public. Your girlfriend was in the picture during the Tour de France, your mother has climbed on the podium, your father was detected. Normal circumstances or does it get on your nerves?

Ullrich: -I had not had contact with my father for 12 years. Then there was a big article in the BILD Newspaper. This was not good for my father also. Because I do not read very many newspapers and I don't like watching myself on TV it is not too bad for me. You must stay calm. Someone tried to give me a newspaper during my holidays, but I did not take it. It only makes you crazy.

on his plans.....

SZ: - What will change next year?

Ullrich: - Less interviews and more regeneration. If I want to have a chance to win the Yellow Jersey again, I have to screen myself off more. They can besiege me after the Tour de France. I don't need bodyguards, but something must be done.

SZ: - Again the full focus on the 3 weeks in France?

Ullrich: - Don't change a successful path. For example, Bjarne Riis. He was very strong in springtime, then he reduced his speed, but this was not enough. He won the Amstel Gold Race, which was an extremely good thing, but, afterwards, they started to say: bad season, only 7th in the Tour. You can tune this very well, if no crashes or sickness comes in the way. At the moment, I am ten kilos overweight and so I am going to prepare myself slowly for the Tour. Top athletes cannot hold their peak for a long time. We will skip the Giro too, the second biggest tour in the World. The success of this year proves us right.

SZ: - By the way, you said, you would help Bjarne Riis again in the Tour if he in a better shape. Is a return to the old hierarchy thinkable?

Ullrich: - In the mountains you see who is the strongest. If Bjarne has good legs he will not sit back. I have worked for him, he did it for me - there is no animosity.

on drugs.....

SZ: - But the French daily sports newspaper, L'Equipe and the Swiss Olympic Gold Medallist, Pascal Richard made trouble for you by mounting rumours that you and Bjarne Riis were taking drugs. It was said, that you will take legal action.

Ullrich: - During my holidays I have not heard a thing. I was completely screened off. There were some letters of apology from Pascal Richard, we have agreed not to undertake any legal actions to avoid further damage. It was still a gross defamation of character and a big personal disappointment for me. We have never been tested (in that Training Camp) in Mallorca.

SZ: - How often have you been tested this year?

Ullrich: - approximately 25 times.

SZ: - And in training?

Ullrich: - Once.

SZ: - Is this not too few tests to avoid rumours?

Ullrich: - German testers can come anytime to my home. There are out of competition tests too. Do you want us riders to be tested more often? It will always be the same. There will always be rumours. There will always be jealous people and there will always be these type of stories. You have to harden up.

SZ: - Were the German testers once at your house? It was said that the testers could not find you.

Ullrich: - This was last year before the Tour de France and was because there were the Olympic Games to follow. But these are stupid excuses. Telekom always knows where I am. There is a Press Office where you can call and find out. Anyone who wants me can find me anywhere in the World. I don't hide. The day when I was not at home I had been racing in Spain. But my girlfriend always comes home at the same time and she didn't meet anyone.

More on Jan Ullrich - at 24 and a 5 million man

Jan Ullrich is celebrating his 24th birthday on Wednesday. The day before he extended his contract with Telekom for four years for an estimated salary of 2 million German marks per season. Telekom will continue at least for the same time frame. Next week he'll go for a training camp in Fuerteventura.

"If I'd be winning the "Sportsman of the Year" award, that would be very, very good". Jan Ullrich also has a sponsor contract with Adidas for ten years.

His manager Wolfgang Strohband pointed out that in any case they wanted the partners being involved with the whole team, not just for Jan. "Jan will not be available more than 3 days a year for the sponsors, the training must not be affected".

Kindervater (Telekom boss): "We are the newcomer of the year". 87% of the German population recognizes Telekom as bikesponsor. Telekom invests 10 million Marks into the pros. Kindervater: " We do not have too many ads on the jersey, no one will be added for 1998" Telekom founded an Under-23 "Jan-Ullrich-Youngsters Team" (Trainer: Peter Becker).

Team Chief Walter Godefroot will be negotiating with other cyclists whose contracts expire in 1998 (Riis, Zabel, Bolts).

Ullrich:" It's important to have a strong team. Riis and me are equal. Two strong riders are better than none."

Riis: "I think I can win the Tour again. The one of us who is stronger should be supported".

Preparations for 1998 have begun, with a two week training camp in Fuerteventura. Around New Year's they plan a week in the snow after that two weeks in Mallorca.

Jan has about 10 kilos in plus right now (height 1.83m). The team doctor said with the upcoming hard training it's not a problem. Jan is sometimes complaining about the stress, but in general he likes it"

Mission accomplished

Gianni Bugno, Maurizio Fondriest, Richard Virenque & Laurent Dufaux met for 4 hours with Verbruggen. Spaniard Abraham Olano was absent with an excuse, his recent operation of the tonsils.

"Verbruggen has stated that our request has some possibility" Gianni Bugno said. He seemed to understand that all riders are in agreement. To assign the Rainbow Jersey at the end of the season is a mistake". Verbruggen has listened to their argument, but has explained that it would take a long time before any changes can be made.

the UCI President said: "There are Teams, Organizers and some riders that have backed up the idea of having la Vuelta in September and the Worlds in October. On your part, especially in Italy, there is a request for the Worlds to return to August, but the UCI has signed contracts until the end of the year 2000. Changes in the calendar are not in the power of the President. For change of this type, it involves all the members of the world. Are you sure that the Organization Association is in agreement? And what about the Teams?"

Fondriest had said the day before the meeting: "This will be our last informal meeting. Now we will have to move officially through our association".

About the blood controls: a year has passed since Bugno, Fondriest, Riis, Virenque and others pushed for blood tests to dissipate any doubts and restore cycling's credibility. In this first season 750 riders were tested and 11 riders came back with a hematocrit level higher than 50.

"We had asked for a revision in the criteria to select riders for the tests - explains Bugno. We want it to be by surprise and for it to be done at all major races and to all teams. Verbruggen has confirmed that the blood controls will continue and that the UCI will look for new ways of financing to increase the budget allowed for blood testing".

Guidi has shoulder surgery