Cycling star 'took disco pills'

Ullrich had already pulled out of this year's race through injury

FRANKFURT, Germany -- Former Tour de France winner Jan Ullrich has said he acted "stupidly" by taking pills he was given for free at a disco.

Tests showed signs of amphetamine in the German cyclist's bloodstream and he now faces suspension and possible sacking from the Deutsche Telekom cycling team.

Ullrich, who had already withdrawn from this year's event -- which starts on Saturday -- because of a knee injury, won the Tour de France in 1997 and has since come second three times.

He tested positive for a banned substance while recovering from a knee operation at a rehabilitation clinic in Bad Wiesse, south of Munich.

RESOURCES Tour de France 2002: CNNSI coverage

He admitted to "stupidly" taking two pills he was given for free at a disco and said he took them during the time he was recovering from the operation.

He had been allowed until midnight on Friday to decide whether he wanted another examination, the B-test, to be conducted on a second sample.

But he said on Saturday: "I accept the positive probe. I will skip taking the B-test."

He added: "For me it is not at all doping and in all the years of my whole career I have never tried banned substances to improve my performance.

The German star faces a ban and possible sacking from his team

"It was a stupidity. It was just a big mistake."

Amphetamines are banned substances and classed by the IOC as stimulants.

Ullrich would likely face several months suspension but could also face losing his team place.

Telekom spokesman Olaf Ludwig said on Thursday that Ullrich could be sacked if his positive test for an amphetamine revealed intentional doping.

A total of 21 teams are taking in this year's Tour de France which begins with a 4.2-mile individual time trial in Luxembourg.

The Tour finishes July 28 on the Champs-Elysees in Paris.