By Susan Westemeyer
The International Cycling Union (UCI) will not appeal Jörg Jaksche's one-year suspension for his doping confession, the German rider, who lives in Austria, said on Sunday. He will now be eligible to ride again as of June 30.
"UCI boss Pat McQuaid called me on the weekend and personally told me of the decision," Jaksche, 33, told the German press agency sid. "A stone fell from my heart. Now the hard times are finally over, I can start making plans again."
He added that a cooperative witness like himself "no longer needs to pay for his openness. They have finally realised that doping is an octopus with many arms. It is a system which is carried out by team managers, soigneurs, doctors and athletes." He said that he assumed that now the UCI would take actions against those he named in his confession.
The Austrian Cycling Federation (Österreichischer Radsport Verein, ÖRV) suspended him in September; he received a reduced sentence because he cooperated with investigators.
He added that he would be eligible to ride for a ProTour team, and will increase his efforts to sign with one. "I am optimistic and have very good form," said Jaksche, who on Sunday trained for five hours in Tuscany.
