Jan Ullrich has opened up for the primary time about blood doping throughout his profession, with the 1997 Tour de France winner anticipated to make a fuller, detailed confession in a four-part documentary sequence that will probably be launched on Amazon Prime in Germany from November 28 known as ‘Der Gejagte’ – ‘The Hunted’.
Ullrich misplaced management of his life in 2018 resulting from alcohol and cocaine however recovered thanks to assist from one-time rival Lance Armstrong after which skilled assist in Germany.
He suggests the two-year course of of making an intimate documentary sequence about his life has helped him lastly discover peace along with his previous.
Ullrich’s victory within the 1997 Tour de France made him the poster boy for a increase in German biking and he turned Armstrong’s largest rival within the sport earlier than allegations after which proof emerged that he was a part of the notorious blood doping ring centred on Dr. Eufemiano Fuentes.
Ullrich as soon as claimed that he “by no means cheated on anybody” however that was linked to his perception that each one his rivals have been additionally doping.
“If you happen to needed to maintain up, you had to participate,” Ullrich mentioned in an interview with German weekly journal Stern a couple of days earlier than the documentary is launched.
“The final angle was: If you happen to do not do that, how will you survive in a race? With out assist, the widespread notion on the time was that it could be like going to a gunfight armed solely with a knife.”
Ullrich will flip 50 on December 2, and the discharge of the documentary will make one other essential step in his return to full well being and acknowledgement of his previous. He now says he regrets not talking sooner, now figuring out {that a} confession might assist him discover internal peace and overcome his private issues.
“In 2006 I wasn’t capable of discuss as a result of I did not need to be a traitor,” Ullrich instructed Stern. “I did not need to come out with half-truths and definitely not with the entire fact.
“The attorneys instructed me: Both you exit and tear all the things down, or you do not say something in any respect. I made a decision on the second suggestion on the time. As a result of tearing all the things down would even have meant that I am dragging lots of people down with me into the abyss.
“From at present’s perspective, I ought to have spoken. It might have been very onerous for a quick second, however after that life would have been simpler.”
Ullrich was finally banned for doping in 2012 after the drawn-out Dr. Fuentes investigation in Spain. He was additionally stripped of his outcomes from 2005 and 2006.
In 2015 he moved to Mallorca to attempt to begin a brand new life. Cash wasn’t an issue however his psychological well being was. He started ingesting closely – as much as two bottles of whiskey a day – and likewise consumed cocaine after he separated from his spouse Sara, who took their youngsters again to Germany.
“The crash in 2018 nearly price me my life, I misplaced loads,” Ullrich mentioned, suggesting he was not “removed from demise.”
“The combo of whiskey and cocaine made my coronary heart colder. It brings up all of the evil qualities in you. It turns you right into a monster in a really brief time.” If you happen to now not have a coronary heart, you’re now not human.”
Ullrich was taken into police custody twice in 2018, as soon as after breaking right into a neighbour’s dwelling in Mallorca, after which after attacking an escort in a Frankfurt lodge. The large headlines in Germany lifted the lid on Ullrich’s private issues.
His spouse’s menace to cease him talking to his youngsters made Ullrich search skilled assist. An intervention by Armstrong, who travelled to Europe to assist his former rival, additionally performed a major function. The 2 at the moment are good pals and once more went driving collectively in Mallorca this summer time.
The documentary has been a part of his lengthy therapeutic course of, with Ullrich returning to the Tour de France and different races to see former teammates and pals. He has additionally returned to driving his bike commonly.
“I am hungry for all times once more,” Ullrich mentioned. “I need to see my youngsters develop up.”
