German prosecutors have dropped an investigation into fraud by former cyclist Jan Ullrich after he paid a six-figure sum to the state and charity.

Prosecutors accused the 1997 Tour de France winner of taking performance-enhancing drugs, leading under German law to fraud charges against the 34-year-old on the basis he deceived the public, sponsors and his team.

Under German law, Ullrich, who retired early last year, had the option to settle the matter out of court if he paid the million euros, which Focus reported he had agreed to do.

German law does not recognise doping as such, hence the charge of fraud.

The former leader of the T-Mobile team always denied doping although in April last year German officials indicated that DNA tests had suggested blood samples uncovered in the wake of the Puerto investigation in Spain were from Ullrich.

Reuters