BBC SPORT | CYCLING | Ullrich faces team punishment

Jan Ullrich, Tour de France winner in 1997, faces disciplinary action from Team Telekom after leaving the scene of a minor road accident in Germany.

Ullrich, 28, admits knocking over a rack and several bicycles with his Porsche outside a Freiburg hotel on Tuesday, and is being investigated by local police.

"I have done something really stupid and I accept responsibility for it," he said on his official website.

Team Telekom sports chief Walter Godefroot described Ullich's actions as "unacceptable" and admits that he may punish the rider.

Ullrich celebrates his 1997 Tour de France win
"I am bitterly disappointed and we will have to talk about it," said Godefroot.

Ullrich has been out of action this season due to a knee injury, and he has already been forced to pull out of the Giro d'Italia, which begins on 11 May.

However, he is expected to compete in the Tour of Bavaria from 22-26 May, scotching speculation that he would miss the 2002 Tour de France after pulling out of training this week with his painful knee.

Team Telekom sports director Rudy Pevenage said of the withdrawal rumours: "That's absolute nonsense. Jan will be back in training on Saturday."

Ullrich is tipped as the main rival to three-time champion Lance Armstrong in this year's Tour de France, having been runner-up to the American in 2001.


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