BERLIN (AP) _ Jan Ullrich has denied any wrongdoing despite his DNA sample being matched last week to blood bags seized in a Spanish doping scandal.
Ullrich retired from cycling on Feb. 26, 10 months after his name surfaced in Operation Puerto, which led to the 1997 Tour de France champion being excluded from last year's race. He has denied using any banned substances.
The German cyclist, in a statement posted Sunday on his website, called reports of the affair ``partially manipulated'' and designed to destroy his reputation.
``I have a clear conscience and the latest events and reports haven't changed that a bit,'' Ullrich said. ``In my whole career I have never lied or used anyone and I can't admit to a mistake when there is no mistake.''
Several cycling teams also called for DNA samples of the cyclists linked to Operation Puerto to be matched with the blood bags seized last May at a Madrid Clinic.
``The Ullrich case shows that it can certainly be determined whose blood was found there,'' said Roger Legeay, team boss of Credit Agricole.
Most of the riders linked to the Madrid clinic are competing again, and a Spanish court threw out Operation Puerto, ruling that it appears doping took place, but it couldn't be prosecuted because Spain's anti-doping laws weren't yet in effect.
Prompted by the Ullrich case, all 20 ProTour teams and all but a handful of their riders agreed last week to make DNA profiles available for testing in doping disputes.
German prosecutors had Spanish authorities turn over the blood bags to compare with Ullrich's saliva sample under fraud charges filed by a professor, since doping isn't illegal in Germany.
The Bonn prosecutor leading the investigation, Fred Apostel, said Monday his office was now waiting for Swiss authorities to turn over results from a search of Ullrich's residence last year.
Ullrich said he would answer the questions raised by the DNA match, but not immediately.
``I do not fear any investigation, any district attorney and any organization,'' Ullrich said. ``For me, too, there are a lot of unanswered questions. Until my case is completely cleared up, I won't talk about it publicly _ especially not through outside pressure.''
Under fraud charges, Ullrich could face anything from a fine to a 10-year prison sentence.
