By Susan Westemeyer
Is Gerolsteiner really prepared to boycott the 2007 Tour de France if Jan Ullrich and Ivan Basso are allowed to participate? That's what Hans-Michael Holczer, Gerolsteiner Team Manger, indicated on Friday in Salzburg.
Holczer would not let his team participate if Ullrich and Basso were in the race: "I can't really imagine that [Ullrich and Basso would ride next year's Tour de France]," he told the Süddeutsche Zeitung, adding that if things don't change, he would consider quitting the sport in 2008.
When Cyclingnews posed the same scenario to T-Mobile, spokesperson Christian Frommert replied: "If that question should actually arise, then we wouldn't automatically accept it, but would have to consider how we would want to deal with the situation."
"We must not be naive about this," Holczer told the Süddeutsche Zeitung. "The danger is there, that the [ProTour] code [of ethics] won't survive." Frommert also had his doubts, saying he is "not totally convinced right now. The important thing is for the team bosses and the UCI to clearly follow through."
Holczer also expressed a lack of understanding that the affected riders [in Operaciòn Puerto] have not voluntarily offered to supply DNA samples for comparison purposes. "If a child were found dead here and I was considered a suspect because I have been staying in this hotel for five days, then I would immediately make the DNA test."
April 2, 2009 - Valverde indignant over possible suspension
April 1, 2009 - Valverde: Italy requests two-year suspension
March 13, 2009 - Le Monde newspaper hit with fine over Puerto allegations
March 2, 2009 - WADA president Fahey asks for Puerto evidence
February 24, 2009 - Spanish federation seeks access to Puerto blood bags
February 20, 2009 - CONI considers Valverde case while UCI awaits verdict
February 19, 2009 - Valverde under criminal investigation
February 11, 2009 - Valverde summonsed for Operación Puerto in Italy
February 8, 2009 - Eight charged in Operación Puerto
