The patient in the bed next to me told me that the newspapers were reporting on the test, and it was on television all day long.

Of course they were saying: No doping! But as a rider, it's difficult to believe that things can really change from one day to the next.

I assumed the amount wouldn't be detectable. I also didn't feel that I had done anything wrong.

The crazy thing is that I really wasn't under any pressure. My contract wasn't going to expire until the end of 2008, and everyone was satisfied with me. But I wasn't. I always wanted to improve.

The message I understood was this: Just don't get caught!

I spent my first two years as a professional with Mapei in Italy, on their youth team. We rode in minor races. Doping wasn't an issue. S

I stayed in Hamburg a few more days, and during that time I received a visit from Rolf Aldag, the sporting director at T-Mobile. He advised me to tell the truth.