BERLIN _ The T-Mobile team is investigating allegations German cyclist Joerg Ludewig solicited doping substances in 1998.

Ludewig, 30, joined T-Mobile on a one-year contract this year. Eight years ago, he was riding for Team Bayer Worringen.

"During this period he allegedly requested, in written form, banned substances, and showed a readiness to turn to doping," T-Mobile said in a statement on Tuesday. "The T-Mobile team now have the relevant written correspondence at hand."

It said the team was in contact with Ludewig and does not "rule out taking further steps."

"We don't have any direct evidence of doping and we realize that the incident dates back eight years," said Christian Frommert, director of sports communication at T-Mobile International.

"However, even evidence of the intention to use doping substances gives us reason to investigate the facts around the affair," he added. "To what extent this will overlap with the team's agenda to clean up cycling remains to be seen."

Ludewig is not part of T-Mobile's Tour de France squad, which lost leader Jan Ullrich to unrelated doping allegations before the race began last Saturday.