Cycling
After meeting with Scharping: Ullrich open to cooperation
Wants to pass on his wealth of experience in cycling: Jan Ullrich. Photo
© Bernd Weissbrod/dpa
Jan Ullrich and Rudolf Scharping have resolved their differences. The former cycling star can imagine working in the youth sector in the future.
After the clarifying conversation with cycling president Rudolf Scharping, Jan Ullrich is happy to be involved in youth work. “I know what I can pass on to children or aspiring professionals. I also know that they can learn from my mistakes. But I can also pass on the beautiful and victorious experiences of my career,” the 1997 Tour de France winner told the German Press Agency.
After Ullrich’s doping scandal in 2006, there was a long period of radio silence between him and Scharping. In November last year, the former cycling star made a doping confession as part of his documentary, and Ullrich also worked through his past and various life crises in a book published on Tuesday. “It was a good conversation and – that was my impression – one that built trust,” said Ullrich about the meeting with Scharping on the sidelines of the German championships at the weekend.
“The fact is that I have a wealth of experience in cycling, where I know the highs, lows and dangers. (…) We have good professionals, but the most important thing is that young riders are coming along and we get the chance to win the Tour de France again with a German rider,” continued Ullrich, the only German Tour winner to date. Scharping spoke after the meeting “about possible joint projects.”