2012 has started out quite badly for the sport of cycling. Within just a few days, two well-known cycling champions have been found guilty on doping charges by the International Court of Arbitration of Sport in Lausanne and had some of their recent results cancelled . After Spanish rider Alberto Contador was stripped of his Tour de France 2010 and Giro 2011 victories on Monday, former TdF winner Jan Ulrich had all his results since 2005 cancelled, which means he loses his third place finish in the 2005 Tour de France and his victory in the 2006 Tour de Suisse.

His best career achievement, winning the Tour de France in 1997, has not been affected by the court's decision.

In its verdict, the CAS said there was enough evidence to show that the 38-year old former T-Mobile rider bought forbidden substances from the infamous Spanish doping guru, Eufemiano Fuentes. Jan Ulrich has always denied this.

The International Cycling Federation (UCI) had asked for a life-long ban on Ulrich, the CAS in Lausanne, however, decided on a two year-suspension.
A comeback is not on the cards though, Jan Ulrich announced his retirement from cycling in 2007.

The negative headlines just keep on coming for the sport. French female rider Jeannie Longo is currently being investigated for doping, the 53-year old multiple world champion and her husband were questioned by French police on Wednesday, with her husband remanded in custody.