Have been gone for 3 months and was unable to get access to cycling news.
So, what is happening with Jan Ullrich, why did he quit Telekom?

I have been a big fan of Jan, he's an incredible cyclist, he's cute and like me he is struggling with being overweight.

I have visited his website, but this doesn't offer much info.. anyone with a scoop?

Fietser Ivana

Word is that he's going to CSC-Tiscali. I think there's been bad blood between Jan & Godefroot (at least) since the 2001 TdF. Add to that this years setbacks and it's no wonder Telekom wants to go shopping.

Was skipping through some old threads after I posed the question. I knew about the car incident.
What a bummer to be so talented and then hit by such a nasty injury. I had hoped he would have healed and come back to compete for the Vuelta, but alas.
Though I must say that I always liked Zabel a lot too, who's a very lovable person both because of his personality and because of how well he performs.
But Jan's struggles with excess weight makes me feel more empathy for him.. I had a knee injury as well and it took one year before it stopped hurting when I sat on it.

Amphetamins you say? Wasn't it ephedrine? This is known to be a hunger suppressant, or does it speed up metabolism? I am now hanging out on a Bodybuilding forum because i am interested in low-carb diets and fitness. Good grief, these people really take everything: anabolic steroids and also stacks of products like caffein and ephedrine to speed up weight loss in their 'cutting' phase. Amazing when you see all the other sports where being clean is seen as so important...

Fietser Ivana

He did ecstacy. What they detected was the speed used to cut it.

You talked about Bodybuilding Forums, This will sure open your eyes: (These people are crazy!!!)

https://www.anabolicreview.com/vbulle....php?forumid=1

Here's another one...


https://forum.asiaco.com/canada01/


Their all gonna kill themselves!!! :confused:

Well, it's just my opinion, but...
The armchair DS sez: Jan's been asking for knee problems for years. Watch his pedaling style. Spin, don't mash.

The "crash" and the nightclub incident, I think, follow from the setbacks related to his knee. Some say his actions were immature. I'll withhold judgement until I've "pedaled a mile in his cleats," (which, frankly, ain't gonna happen. The only thing Jan and I have in common is the weight thing.)

There are lots of world class cyclists who suffer some major set-back. For some, the set-back helps them get their head screwed on right and gives them focus. I don't get the impression it's impacted Jan that way. In any case, I'm looking forward to watching Jan next spring.

Athletes are just like anyone and can go through rough times. The guy was obviously depressed, no hsame in that. At least he didn't act like an NBA star or something- he didn't shoot anyone, **** anyone or do anything really violent or psycho. Just reckless.

I think going to CSC will be great for him. I have the feeling it'll probably galvanize him. Apparently his old teammate Riis is a tough taskmaster who does survival training in denmark in the winter! He'll keep jan away from the marzipan, cake, beer and other temptations.

It's funny, but I saw a picture of Jan's girlfriend and she was totally not what I expected. I thought she'd be your typical blond bimbo type but not at all! She's got brown hair and is just kind of the girl next door. I was sort of surprised, athletes tend to generate to the generic blond type.

In the German press it was reported that Telekom put Ullrich's contract "on ice" after the doping incident (it was never clear to me what that meant). They then offered him a new one, with a significantly lower salary. As I understand it, he had the option of accepting or rejecting it.

About ten days ago, he formally rejected it. The word on the street is that CSC Tiscali wants him badly--partly because the coach Bjirn Riis (sp?) is an old pal from Telekom. But, they need to solidify some sponsorship agreements in order to afford him--and they'd like to add a German sponsor to round out their program. Word has it that both Coast and Gerolsteiner have expressed interest, but I am not sure this can be confirmed. If Ullrich were to end up at Gerolsteiner, he would then have Udo Bölts as his coach, no longer as domestique, since Bölts just signed a deal with Gerolsteiner.

I hope that Ullrich has truly grown up this year. Maybe a new environment will give him what he needs for his comeback. I think that it will also do Telekom some good.

Cheers,
Jamie

P.S. I agree that Zabel remains the most sympathetic of pro cyclists. His smile alone won over my fiancée. What brought me firmly into fan-ship was an interview after the final sprint in the Tour. The reporter asked him something about another rider interfering with the sprint set-up. Zabel started to say something in agreement, but stopped and said, "No, we made a mistake, and McEwen was simply a tick faster." I like it when folks take responsibility like that.

I heard recently that Zabel got a letter from a fan criticizing him for not wearing a helmet. The author reminded him that he has a responsibility to set an example for his younger fans, of which there are many here. Zabel seems to have taken the advice to heart and sports his helmet much more often.

Just a small note to say that I got a short letter back from Jan Ullrich, as I wrote to him via his web site.
I had told him about my injuries as well as my struggle with excess weight and he wished me luck for next year as well as he expressed his admiration for my accomplishments ..

I'm obviously not a road racer but have done a few things few other women do.. like solo cycle touring over 100 mtn passes in France and next year I hope to be fit again to ride Paris-Brest-Paris for which I DNFed in 1999.

He's really a very nice guy and I'll remain his fan as well as I will be a fan of Zabel.

Fietser Ivana

I root for Jan too. I want him to come back! I want him to win the Tour!

We're also big fans of Zabel around here. We have a friend who is a cyclist and a sprinter and he atually looks like Erik Zabel. It's kind of funny.

Interesting. I hadn't heard about Bolts. I think he would be good as a coach and as a race tactician (did I invent a new word?).

Jan is a ******! There is no reason to go team hopping. But I say good riddance. Maybe Telekom will be able to win some races now that they don't have to pull Jan's fat butt all over countries.