He placed third behind Lance Armstrong and Jan Ullrich of Germany in 2003 and fifth in 2005.

NPR: Tour de France 2007: Top Contenders

The team, whose riders include former Tour de France winner Jan Ullrich, had their licence overturned due to the non-payment of riders' wages.

BBC: Team Coast free to compete

Erik Zabel has been named captain of cycling's Team Telekom for their first year without former Tour de France winner Jan Ullrich, now with Team Coast.

BBC: Italian cyclist Mario Cipollini