The Austrian cycling federation is prepared to help former Tour de France winner Jan Ullrich, currently under investigation for doping, by issuing him with a professional license.

Ullrich is currently without a team and fighting off doping allegations which came in the wake of a Spanish doping investigation dubbed Operación Puerto.

The Swiss-based Ullrich, who has denied doping and also any link to the Spanish investigation, split with the Swiss cycling federation on Thursday.

The 32-year-old winner of the 1997 Tour de France insisted the split does not mean the end of his career.

Now the Austrian cycling federation is willing to offer him a fresh start - if he moves there.

"If Jan Ullrich moves to Austria he will personally receive a professional license from me," said Rudolf Massat, the head of the Austrian cycling federation.

Ullrich was sacked by his T-Mobile team during this year's Tour de France - in which he was barred from racing when the allegations were made - after the Spanish investigation offered evidence which suggested he was involved in doping.

Ullrich is said to have been given the blood-boosting drug EPO, human growth hormones and steroids by Eufemio Fuentes but denies knowing the Madrid-based sports doctor.

Ullrich has already had his Swiss home raided by police as the doping investigation continues.

Boonen pulls out of auto race
Former world road champion Tom Boonen has pulled out of plans to race a Porsche 996 in a 10-hour endurance race, according to reports here Saturday.

The 25-year-old Quick Step rider, who has claimed a number of prestigious one-day cycling classics wins, was due to team up with Belgian pair Bert Longin and Anthony Kumpen, the national touring endurance champion, for theNovember 11 race race at the Zolder race track.

However according to the daily paper La Derniere Heure, Boonen's team persuaded him not to take the risk.

Quick Step team manager Patrick Lefevere had said only two days ago he had no objections.

"It's the winter break for the riders, and they can do what they want,” Lefevere said at the time. "Tom's an adult. He's driving because he wants to but I'm hoping he's taken out some insurance!"

Boonen, who recently lost his world title to Italian teammate Paolo Bettini, has never hidden his passion for flashy sports cars. The Monaco-based professional already owns a yellow Lamborghini Murcielago.