I felt your post was overly negative. I certainly hope you are right.
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Yeah he was hit hard in 2006 and I remember being alarmed by an interview of his, not that long ago, where he said that his "problems" dated back to his youth when there were "issues" that he might talk about some day. There was a lengthy piece in "Rouleurs" a few years back where the journo accompanied Ulle on a Gran Fondo I think and where people encouraged him, it didn't really seem to interest him.
As was posted above, with his head in the right place and people he trusts managing his interests, he could certainly make a good living and "feel the love" of many fans and cycling enthusiasts. The more time passes the more unlikely it seems though...
As was posted above, with his head in the right place and people he trusts managing his interests, he could certainly make a good living and "feel the love" of many fans and cycling enthusiasts. The more time passes the more unlikely it seems though...
He also had his depression from getting destroyed by Armstrong and cocaine use in 2002.
It’s been well documented by his teammates that he has mental issues at points and without the famous “ Quäl dich, du Sau!” maybe 97 goes different.
Who knows what went on while he was younger going through the school/training. I think every rider that was part of it has been quiet on it.
It’s been well documented by his teammates that he has mental issues at points and without the famous “ Quäl dich, du Sau!” maybe 97 goes different.
Who knows what went on while he was younger going through the school/training. I think every rider that was part of it has been quiet on it.
I've always found him extremely likeable as a person and as a rider. He seemed very "human," FWIW. I really hope he can find a good space...I can only imagine the post-pro career demons that are rattling around in his head...
The thing that scares me is that guys like Herklotz and Kämna came up through the same system and were developed by the same guys early on.
Back to Ulle, to me it looked like he had made peace with his past, he was organizing cycling camps for amateurs and doing similar stuff, but his divorce started another downward spiral.
I really doubt that Ullrich ever "organized" anything himself in his life. Someone used his name to sell something, as it happened countless times before: Jan Ullrich bikes, Jan Ullrich books, Jan Ullrich cycling trips, Jan Ullrich museums/casinos... the list goes on. Ullrich may have had some talent in cycling back then, but his biggest "talent" is collecting a steady stream of shady leeches in his inner circle.
That is true, I think in December of 2013 he said he was at peace with his past and his life after all the clinical side came out the past year and a half. Then the DUI convection in 2017 from 2014, the divorce, the neighbor, the escort, and to where we are now. He even said on Armstrong's podcast that he was fully recovered. It is extremely sad and hopefully he can find peace in his life. On the American Football side we talk about how some players need someone their to help them and keep them from harming themselves or others and he needs that too for now until he is back on his feet. For all the talk of how narcissistic and bad of a friend Armstrong is, it is very kind of him to have been there for Ullrich through his tough times. I am sure others have been there for him as well, but Armstrong did not have to be one of his support structures.
And this quote from 2010 might be even more telling that he had a lot going on before but in 2017 finally reached his catalyst.
'Do you want Jan to end up like Pantani or Jimenez? Would that make you happy?'" Ullrich's friend and former Telekom teammate Andreas Klöden complained of the German media coverage in 2010.
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So apparently it wasn't a drug relapse that sent Jan to the hospital, but thrombosis and blood poisoning (source, in German). He states that the hospital tested him for drugs and the test was "of course" negative.
Among the first to support him once again Lance Armstrong:
“He was with me. He helped me a lot. I want to thank him for this ”.
Finally Lance responded like a human being - chapeau.
Re Armstrong, your comment reminded me of “that look” he gave Jan on the Alpe.
The cocaine and depression are likely linked.
I liked Jan and am saddened that there are fans today oblivious to his strength back then.
No, Jan’s biggest talent was always cycling. A machine. If he was riding today he would only be rivalled by Pogacar. But he also seemed a decent human being. One of many examples was his sporting gesture to sit up for Lance when Lance crashed ascending Luz Ardiden in 2003.
Lol. It was ridiculous to stop racing on Luz Ardiden just because Armstrong made a mistake.
That was so annoying. And Hamilton was the worst there, playing policeman against an already waiting Ullrich.
Yeah and that came after the cat and mouse game on the way up the Tourmalet where Ulle had distanced Armstrong by a few meters the the gap got closed and it started again. Ulle seemed on a roll but there really wasn't much between them. And the Luz Ardiden where Armstrong's mental strength really showed and Ulle seemed confused by the whole ordeal and couldn't rise to the occasion.
And then of course before the 2004 season Armstrong claimed that Ulle hadn't waited and Ulle had to defend himself which made him look weak. So many missed opportunities and it's still ongoing unfortunately.
And then of course before the 2004 season Armstrong claimed that Ulle hadn't waited and Ulle had to defend himself which made him look weak. So many missed opportunities and it's still ongoing unfortunately.
All true, but in relation to this thread it highlights the type of person Ulle is. I know cycling is mind and body. But the body part I think Ulle was massively better than Lance. I also think he's a better human being and I hope he can see that himself as that would settle his mind.
Plus It might have seemed "ridiculous" to stop racing on Luz Ardiden on that stage in 2003 if you never raced a bike. I have plenty and I applauded that as did most, road racing is best when the participants show each other respect and sportsmanship as Jan did that day. Road racing isn't UFC on wheels.
Likewise Hamilton - good on him. Had Jan not waited and won the Tour it would have been far more boring to watch and people today would say "what if" (Lance didn't fall). The sport was better for what eventuated.
Anyhow, we saw Armstrong could catch up and when he attacked again it was obvious he was still easily the strongest rider that day regardless of minor unsustainable gaps on the Tourmalet.
Not long but enough to lose the leading group and for Hamilton and Jan to sit up for him.
You are entitled to disagree. Pretty sure at the time most were fine with it - sportsmanship. Of course with everything that has unfolded since then todays opinions might differ.
If I remember correctly the media was fine with it and some riders but other riders such as Merckx said Ullrich should have pressed on. Then they liked it to Armstrong waiting for Ullrich in 2001 but he also had time on Ullrich and he had teammates when Armstrong didn’t.
Definitely a shame since without Armstrong he could have potentially won 5; 97, 00-03.
Yeah, okay, with the 2001 incident in mind, it would have been strange if Ullrich had just gone on. I didn't think of that.
I agree, although I would be leery of projecting anything from that era. I'd like to erase records of every GT from Riis's Tour win up to Sastre's, at least.
I thought at the time it was the right thing to do, especially since it was an "allez opi-omi"-caused crash. And Lance, as a generally fired-up guy, would have caught up to anyone after the adrenaline rush. Nonetheless, it was good optics for the sport and Jan.
He may also have won 04, since without Armstrong the race dynamics would have changed and he probably doesn't lose so much time in the Pyrenees.
And as he is going for 7 wins he doesn't get named in Operation Puerto
P.S. Just realised that you're giving him 02 as well. You're suggesting that it was defeats by Armstrong that sent him off the rails?
Anyway, going for 6 (the record) then in 06.
TDF without Armstrong and US Postal/Discovery and without Operation Puerto:
99: Zulle
00: Ullrich
01: Ullrich
02: Beloki
03: Ullrich
04: Ullrich - Basso doesn't ride away so easily on his own in the Pyrenees, and Klöden waits for Jan
05: Basso
06: Ullrich
07: Basso - With the all time TDF record, Jan has far too enjoyable an off season, and I've said there is no Discovery
Rasmussen though?!
99: Zulle
00: Ullrich
01: Ullrich
02: Beloki
03: Ullrich
04: Ullrich - Basso doesn't ride away so easily on his own in the Pyrenees, and Klöden waits for Jan
05: Basso
06: Ullrich
07: Basso - With the all time TDF record, Jan has far too enjoyable an off season, and I've said there is no Discovery
Rasmussen though?!
Quite different situation. It was free for Armstrong to be 'generous' and wait there, it wasn't two years later for Ullrich.
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