Basso, Ullrich, others named in doping probe — radio report

This could be a very different Tour de France than the bike race we envisioned just a few days ago.

Favorites Ivan Basso, left, and Jan Ullrich have been named in media reports among the patients of Dr. Eufemiano Fuentes, the doctor who is the focus of the Operacion Puerto drug probe in Spain. Eurosport says Thursday that the cyclists were identified by sources for Cadena Ser radio.

Union Cycliste International president Pat McQuiad said Wednesday that any bicycle racer involved in the Spanish drug probe would be asked to leave the Tour de France, which begins Saturday. VeloNews says that all cyclists participating in the Tour have been asked by the UCI to submit whether they're involved in the investigation in a written statement.

Other cyclists named in the radio report include Francisco Mancebo, a Spanish rider who leads the AG2R Provence team. Two others, Jose Gutierrez and Santiago Botero had already been suspended by Phonak until their involvement in the affair was made clear.

Although the Cadena Ser radio report comes from sources, an official 500-page summary of the involvement of as many as 58 pro cyclists is expected to be delivered to the Spanish Secretary of State for Sport soon, CyclingNews reports.

Meanwhile, the Astana-Wurth has the go ahead to race in the Tour de France from the Court of Arbitration for Sport — CyclingNews.