LUCERNE, Switzerland (AFP) - German cyclist Erik Zabel, who recently admitted he took EPO (erythropoietin) in 1996, won the second stage of the Tour of Switzerland here on Sunday.

The 36-year-old six-time Tour de France green jersey winner edged out Italy's Daniele Bennati and Saturday's stage winner Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland.

Zabel announced earlier this month that he would not compete in the Beijing Olympics next year met after meeting with the president of the German Olympic committee (DOSB), Thomas Bach, and DOSB general secretary Michael Vesper in Frankfurt.

Zabel is one of seven ex-Telekom cyclists including 1996 Tour winner Bjarne Riis who admitted they took EPO.

The German, fourth in the road race at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, will soon discover whether the German Cycling Confederation will allow him to compete in September's cycling World Cup in Stuttgart.