German TV considers dropping Tour coverage

Floyd Landis' positive A-sample may have been the last nail in the coffin for German TV station ZDF. "We have a contract to televise a sporting event, not a pharmaceutical performance," said Chief Editor Nickolaus Brender to the German press agency dpa.

"In this case, we will have to consider ending our coverage of the TdF," Brender said. However, he wants to hold a discussion over doping ethics with the German Cycling Federation and the German teams. In addition, the ZDF is demanding guarantees of successful steps against doping from the UCI and the Tour organisers, as well as an increase in penalties, such as the possible suspension of racing teams.

Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*

Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets

After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59

Join now for unlimited access

Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1