Jan Ullrich spoke to the tabloid “Bild-Zeitung” about his state of health. The former Tour de France winner also spoke about the visit of his former competitor Lance Armstrong.
For several weeks now, 44-year-old Ullrich has been in therapy for alcohol and drug problems. In his own words, he has already made great progress: “I am already much better! I feel very safe here, I can fully concentrate on myself.” Contact with his three children would help him in particular.
Ullrich had also been visited by his former rival Lance Armstrong. Both had fought thrilling duels over the years for the Tour de France victory. “When he came, I thought it was really cool, great! Lance took a brutal hit for me,” Ullrich said. In the near future he will visit Armstrong in return: “Lance and I will continue together. “After my therapy here in Germany, I’m flying to him in the USA in Colorado.”
Armstrong had documented his visit to Ullrich on Instagram. “As many of you know, I love Jan Ullrich. He was a very special rival to me, frightened me, motivated me and driven me to top performances.”
Ullrich was the first German to win the Tour de France in 1997. Armstrong triumphed a total of seven times in a row between 1999 and 2005, but he was later deprived of the title due to doping.