Reactions to doping confessions
Former Ullrich coach Becker: “Jan has lied to me all these years”
In the star Jan Ullrich (here a photo from 2005 at the Tour de France) made a confession of his life. How does the cycling world react to the confessions of the fallen hero?
© Gero Breloer / DPA
Jan Ullrich has in star made a life confession. Many companions are happy that the cycling star has come clean. Some people feel betrayed.
Jörg Jaksche, former professional cyclist, team colleague of in 1999 and 2000 Jan Ullrich:
“Perhaps Jan has made things too easy for himself at times in the past. Too often he was influenced by others and was unable to develop in some areas. But he is a good person. He has been through and suffered a lot – and was not always well advised . The end of his career came very abruptly for him and it was certainly difficult to find a new task in life. I’m glad that he’s doing well again. By speaking now, he’s not only freeing himself from the baggage on his soul, but also also takes on responsibility. I would be happy if he continued here and started again, perhaps continued his education and found employment and tasks from which he would gain confirmation and joy. That can certainly also be outside the cycling world.”
Herbert Watterott, long-time cycling reporter for ARD, reported on 41 editions of the Tour de France and covered the entire Ullrich era:
“It’s an overdue doping confession from Jan Ullrich. One that I would have wished for earlier. But here the rule is: better late than never. As in star-Interview can be read, lawyers had advised Ullrich to remain silent. He then hid behind the sentence: ‘I didn’t cheat on anyone.’ He was probably right, because many people did dope back in the 90s and after. It is still right that Ullrich has now found clear words.”
It was destroyed by the media!
Peter Sagercycling coach from Rostock, recognized the talent of Ullrich, who was then nine years old, and trained him until he was 14:
“I think it’s great that Jan has opened up so much now. He gives me the impression that he’s taken a load off his own soul. What did the boy have to suffer in the years before? He was destroyed by them Media! He was the scapegoat of the nation. As if he had been the only doped cyclist in the world. Jan had to endure it all, he ate it all up in himself and it cost him an incredible amount of strength and joy of life. That’s finally over That’s it. I’m happy for him.”
Photo: Nico Kurth
Peter Beckercycling coach from Berlin, looked after Ullrich from 1987 to 2003:
“I read about Jan’s doping confession and I have to say: I’m mad to no end. Jan has lied to me all these years. He always said to me: ‘Coach, don’t worry, I don’t do anything like that. I don’t want to get sick, I’m clean.’ And I said: ‘Jan, the moment I find out that you are doing forbidden things, we part ways. It’s not just about your career, but also about mine. I have a reputation to lose.’ I was always strict on this point. Every one of my young drivers knew that. The rule was: No aspirin unless a doctor allowed it or I knew about it. Not even one tablet of aspirin! Anyone who does that anyway will get punished and flies out. I got a strange feeling from Jan when he suddenly let this strange Belgian look after him (Rudy Pevenage, former sporting director at Team Telekom and confidant of Jan Ullrich; brought Ullrich into contact with the doping doctor Eufemiano Fuentes, editor’s note.). The Belgian then forced me out of the coaching staff. From that moment on I was skeptical as to whether Jan was really clean. I had doubts about that. Now, after the interview, I am certain that something wrong happened there. I’m disappointed in Jan.”
Jan didn’t want to drag anyone down. He always thought very socially.
Guido Eichelbeck, drove as Professional cyclist Raced with Jan Ullrich, became his trainer and later VIP supervisor for Team Telekom and Team T-Mobile:
“I’ve known Jan since he was 18 years old. He was always a gentleman, always a fine guy, a person with a big heart and a lot of charm. In his hardest phase I tried to help him, but I couldn’t do anything. I am extremely happy that Jan is completely back to himself and I have great respect that he has achieved it. This is only possible with an enormous will, which has already distinguished him as an athlete. Now he has the chance to get started again I wish him good luck. He deserves it.”
Frank Wörndl, former world ski champion in slalom and friend of Jan Ullrich:
“I’m hugely happy that Jan has finally freed himself from the baggage. I know how tormented he was about it. But he didn’t want to say anything about doping for a long time because it would have cost a number of people their jobs and destroyed families. Jan wanted to Don’t let anyone get involved. He always thought very socially. But you have to let problems out and talk about them. Jan has now done that and it has done him good. He makes a stable impression on me and I think it will stay that way. I I could imagine that he will be in demand as a motivational coach in the future because he has lived such an extreme life. As the winner of the Tour de France, he was a superstar with the world at his feet. Then he fell as low as it could ever be goes. Now he’s up again. He has a huge wealth of experience that he can pass on. With that he can help a lot of people.”