McQuaid looks to ban Ullrich and other Puerto riders

By Susan Westemeyer

Although Ivan Basso may be riding again as soon as next week, it looks like the UCI is going to do everything it can to stop Jan Ullrich from climbing on a bike again. Responding to the Swiss cycling federation's announcement last month that it would give Ullrich a license if he applied for one, UCI President Pat McQuaid told Sport-Bild magazine that "If the Swiss federation doesn't ban Jan Ullrich, we will go to the international court of arbitration for sport."

McQuaid also noted that even if Ullrich received a license, under the ProTour Code of Ethics, no Pro Tour team would be able to sign him as long as investigations against him continue.

Furthermore, McQuaid specified to Cyclingnews, "This consideration is not restricted to Ullrich but is something we will consider in all of the Operation Puerto cases, without prejudicing the outcome of any of the cases."