11.   Top French cyclist Richard Virenque was being held for questioning Tuesday by a judge investigating alleged drug abuse in the sport, judicial officials said.

12.   Top French cyclist Richard Virenque admitted Tuesday that he used medical products supplied by a horse breeder currently under investigation in a widespread doping scandal, judicial officials said.

13.   Virenque was the top cyclist for Festina, the team thrown out of the Tour de France for allegedly using banned substances.

14.   Zulle had little trouble controlling the Spanish race particularly after top Spanish cyclist Abraham Olano dropped out in the seventh stage.

15.   Top Italian cyclists Fabiano Fontanelli and Franco Ballerini have both been banned after failing drugs tests.

16.   Top German cyclist Jan Ullrich is itching to get back into the saddle after undergoing surgery on his troublesome knee here on Wednesday.

17.   Meanwhile, in Italy, top Italian cyclists Fabiano Fontanelli and Franco Ballerini have both been banned after failing drugs tests.