Cycling - "It just feels good": Ulrich as a tour expert on TV
Confession, a new book released and now as an expert on TV during the 111th Tour de France: Ex-cyclist Jan Ullrich felt comfortable during his appearance on the Eurosport show "Velo Club". "I'm back now, I'm sitting here with you on the couch and it just feels good", Ullrich said. The 50-year-old wants to publicly rehabilitate himself after his late doping confession last fall.
Ullrich's Plans: Currently, the former racer is trying it out. He also mentioned a cooperation with the Tour organizers, as there was a "distance" in the past. "I believe there's a way", he said. A week before the German championship, he spoke with the president of the German Cycling Federation, Rudolf Scharping. He is also allowing himself to be seen at races again. A year ago, he made his first appearance again. And he dared. Back then, they had to "scold" the publicly shy Ullrich there.
The Confession: In connection with the publication of the Amazon doc "Jan Ullrich - The Hunted" in November, the former cyclist made a doping confession - and ended years of silence. For two decades, he had been widely criticized in the German cycling world due to the publicly known doping scandals in cycling. The Olympic champion of 2000 found himself in the headlines several times due to scandals.
German cycling world welcomes return
Welcome back: In the German cycling world, Ullrich's public comeback is well received. "I think he has a lot to tell. He is one of the greatest legends in German cycling", said veteran Simon Geschke to the German Press Agency. The 38-year-old is currently competing in his 12th and last Tour de France. He is very happy that Ullrich has found a place in cycling again. "He was at the German championship. And people were really happy to see him", said Geschke.
Even Germany's most successful Tour stage winner Marcel Kittel (14 stage wins) was pleased about Ullrich's resurgence. "I wish him peace of mind. He has suffered enough, privately and professionally", Kittel told "Bild am Sonntag" recently. "He should find his place, make amends, and speak out about what everyone thought and knew", he added.
Ullrich guests again on Wednesday at Eurosport. "The load on my back gets heavier and heavier when you don't solve the problems. And I was able to take more than half the weight out of this backpack and can walk straight again. It feels lighter", he said, sitting calmly on the TV couch.
- Rudolf Scharping, the president of the German Cycling Federation, had a conversation with Jan Ullrich a week before the German championship.
- Simon Geschke, a veteran professional cyclist and a current participant in his 12th and last Tour de France, welcomes Ullrich's return to the German cycling world.
- Jan Ullrich made a doping confession in connection with the publication of the Amazon doc "Jan Ullrich - The Hunted" in November.
- The 50-year-old ex-cyclist Jan Ullrich is trying to publicly rehabilitate himself after his late doping confession last fall.
- During the 111th Tour de France, Ullrich felt comfortable on the Eurosport show "Velo Club," a sentiment echoed by his statement, "I'm back now."
- Marcel Kittel, Germany's most successful Tour stage winner, expressed his happiness for Ullrich's resurgence and wished him peace of mind, privately and professionally.
