Caffeine shampoo producers Alpecin announced Tuesday it will drop its advertising slogan for the duration of the Tour de France, which starts Saturday : "Doping for the hair". The company, who took over the title sponsorhip of the former Giant-Shimano, insists it is committed to promoting a "doping-free team" and wants to drop its slogan to underline that as it backs the only German team in this year's Tour de France.

"I would hope that Alpecin as sponsors, and above all the cyclists, will not be the subject of any discussions during the next three weeks of the Tour", manager Edward R. Doerrenberg explained in a statement. "We are aware of our responsibility and there fore distinguish clearly between the claims of an effective product and fraud in sport."

Team Giant-Alpecin roster: John Degenkolb, Warren Barguil, Roy Curvers, Koen De Kort, Tom Dumoulin, Simon Geschke, Georg Preidler, Ramon Sinkeldam, Albert Timmer.