Germany's former cycling hero Jan Ullrich, in the presence of his former rival Lance Armstrong, gave deep insights into what was probably the most difficult phase of his life.
“You know my story, three years ago I was really bad.
You visited me and I was on the same path as Marco Pantani - almost dead, "said 47-year-old Ullrich on Mallorca to Armstrong and his former teammate George Hincapie and team boss Johan Bruyneel in Armstrong's podcast" The Move ".
“I slept for three years and needed the time to myself. But now my brain is clear again, my body is fit. I have a few ideas and can tell more next time, ”said Ullrich. As early as autumn 2018, Ullrich had admitted drug problems in a statement and, according to his own statements, underwent treatment. A few weeks earlier, Ullrich had been temporarily taken into custody after a dispute on Mallorca with his neighbor at the time, the actor and director Til Schweiger.
“We've all gone through shitty times, and all in different ways. But the most important thing is: We're here, ”said 50-year-old Armstrong. The American had met with Ullrich for a bike ride last weekend and posted corresponding photos. He wrote on Twitter: "It means the world to me to ride with Jan Ullrich on Mallorca and let him kick my butt on the bike."
Armstrong and Ullrich had fought thrilling duels in the Tour de France at the beginning of the 2000s, from which the American always emerged as the winner.
Armstrong's seven overall victories (1999 to 2005) were canceled due to massive doping offenses.
Ullrich's career came to an end with the Operacion Puerto, the doping revelations around the Spanish doctor Eufemiano Fuentes, in 2006.
As a result, Ullrich experienced a crash in health, reaching its low point in 2018. Thanks to Armstrong's help, the 47-year-old has now stabilized.