Former Tour winner Ullrich dreams of cycling comeback after doping confession
Jan Ullrich is hoping for a comeback in cycling. photo
© Gian Ehrenzeller/Keystone/dpa
At the top, then at the bottom, and at some point almost dead. Cycling idol Ullrich has gone through all the extremes. He is healthy again and has not finished cycling – quite the opposite.
Jan Ullrich laughs a lot that evening. He seems liberated. In a Munich cinema, the former superstar admitted directly for the first time that he had doped during his cycling career. Of course, this is no longer news to those familiar with the scene; the evidence has been clear for many years.
For Ullrich himself, however, this late confession is said to be a turning point in his troubled life, which began as a cycling fairy tale and became a doping, alcohol and drug nightmare. “My backpack has become significantly lighter,” says the 49-year-old at the presentation of a four-part documentary (“Jan Ullrich – The Hunted”, Amazon Prime Video, from November 28th).
Without the extra baggage of lies, whiskey and cocaine, the Rostock native even hopes to return to cycling. He, the only German Tour de France winner from 1997, has been ostracized there for almost two decades. “Maybe at some point we can put it aside so that I can do something in cycling again. Why not?” he asks. He doesn’t specify what exactly he has in mind. At the German Bora-hansgrohe racing team, employing Ullrich is “not an issue,” as team boss Ralph Denk said when asked by the dpa.
Cycling continues to be a passion
Ullrich hopes for a rethink, for forgiveness. “I have so much experience and I still love the sport. That’s my passion,” says the former Team Telekom star. “The cycling family is still his identity,” says Mike Baldinger, the ex-professional’s friend and manager. In the four-part documentary he emphasizes how important goodwill in the scene is to the 2000 Olympic champion. “He can then check it when he notices what the response is in the cycling family.”
Many fans from the past continue to stick by their idol anyway – and Ullrich probably doesn’t make any new enemies with his confession. He doesn’t reveal any details about the doping from back then, doesn’t name anyone behind it, dealers, doctors or people in the know. “I can only talk about myself,” he says when asked. “I don’t want to get anyone involved. I know a lot more, but I would never say it. But that’s also a question of character.” Doping hunters and investigators compare such silence with the omertà known from the mafia – and this is even more dominant in cycling than illegal substances to improve performance.
Ullrich wants to conclude with the topic. Regarding a possible scenario in which he would be deprived of his overall triumph at the 1997 Tour, he says: “I know what I have achieved. Personally, I believe I am entitled to the title. Others will have to decide that. But in my heart I am Tour -de France winner.”
After years of extremes, the father of four children is about finding himself and not losing himself again. “I’ve been at the top, I’ve been at the bottom. I really like the middle,” he says. His goal is to stay there.
Armstrong als Retter
In 2018, cocaine, hard alcohol and shady characters almost cost him his life. One of his rescuers at the time was former long-term rival Lance Armstrong, who was called to help by Ullrich’s friend Baldinger and was shocked when he saw the German in person. “That was one of the most frightening things I’ve ever seen in my life,” says the American in the film. The ex-professionals who fought legendary tour duels in the late 90s and early noughties are now friends.
“Jan needs time,” says Armstrong. “He has to be healthy and give himself time.” Rudy Pevenage, the former sporting director of Ullrich’s teams, also sees it that way. The Belgian had visited his former protégé regularly even during the bad phase in Mallorca and also stopped by when Ullrich was in rehab clinics afterwards. “I know Jan. As it is now, he gets through life and is motivated. He doesn’t drink anymore and I hope it stays that way,” the confidant tells the German Press Agency.
Former Telekom teammate Jens Heppner is happy that Ullrich decided on the documentation and the confession. “He’s redeemed now,” says the former tour helper. “He’s worked through everything again and I hope or wish that he doesn’t escalate like he did in the last few years – because I think he won’t survive that at some point.” Ullrich also seems to have understood this.
dpa
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