Ullrich, Hamilton and Basso among 56 riders named in doping probe

Jan Ullrich, Tyler Hamilton and Ivan Basso were among 56 cyclists named in a Spanish probe as having contact with a doctor charged in connection with alleged doping, a leading radio station reported Thursday.

Photo: Ullrich, Hamilton and Basso among 56 riders named in doping probe

Cadena SER said the Civil Guard had decoded the names from notes taken by Dr. Eufemiano Fuentes. Other names included Spaniards Francisco Mancebo, Joseba Beloki, Roberto Heras, Santi Perez, Jose Enrique Gutierrez and Colombian Santiago Botero, SER reported.

The radio station did not give any details as to what kind of contact the cyclists had with Fuentes.

"We don't have any official information, so I can't give you any comment," Luuc Eisenga, spokesman for Ullrich's T-Mobile team.

Team CSC spokesman Brian Nygaard said the team was "startled" to discover Basso's name on a list of 56 riders reported by the station as having contact with a doctor charged in connection with alleged doping.

"He said he had nothing to do with it," Nygaard told The Associated Press. "We have to trust what our riders say until the facts show something different."

Two Spanish cycling teams Astana-Wurth and Comunidad Valenciana have been implicated.

Comunidad Valenciana had its invitation to compete in the Tour rescinded, but the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled Thursday that the Astana-Wurth Team could not be excluded from the race.

The Tour begins Saturday, reports AP.