Riis out of the Tour record books

Tour Director Christian Prudhomme has erased Bjarne Riis' name from the Tour de France record books in light of the Dane's confession that he won the 1996 Tour while using doping products.

"Formally it's down to the International Cycling Union [UCI] to disqualify him but for us he can no longer be the winner and he has already been wiped from the road book [the official press guide] you will see at the start of the Tour," Prudhomme told the Manchester Guardian. "His name will not be at the top of the page, and below we will put that following his confession he cannot be considered the winner of that Tour."

At a press conference last month, Riis confessed to having used EPO, growth hormones and cortisone. He also said, "My yellow jersey is in box at home, you can come and collect it." Prudhomme confirmed that negotiations to pick up the jersey are underway.

He would not comment as to whether Erik Zabel's name would be removed as winner of the sprinter's green jersey that same year. The German confessed to having used EPO in the Tour that year.