Ullrich motorpacing

Germany's Jan Ullrich is back to training at full intensity after a minor knee problem had forced the T-Mobile rider to cool down in his preparation for the Tour de France. Ullrich is currently in Tuscany, where he underwent a "satisfying" performance test on Wednesday.

"I'll compete in my first race this season as of next Tuesday, at the Tour de Romandie," Ullrich wrote on his personal website. "After a short handicap because of my knee irritation I'm completely back on track now." The 1997 Tour de France winner said that his irritated right knee has healed well.

"I can completely strain my knee again," he continued. "Even after speed training, where I pace behind a motorbike at full speed, I don't have any problems anymore. I'm on the saddle for up to six hours every day. I'll be increasing the intensity further next week so that I can hold on to the race in Switzerland."

It is not yet known whether Ullrich will indeed be at the start of the Giro d'Italia as was the plan since the beginning of the season.