cyclosportive
 

Ullrich turns to cyclosportive racing
By: Cycling NewsPublished: August 12, 10:46, Updated: August 12, 10:46
Do you like this?
Jan Ullrich (T-Mobile)
view thumbnail gallery
1997 Tour de France winner picks up the bike again

After suffering from burnout syndrome last year, Jan Ullrich is back to good health as he participated in a cyclosportive event in Italy last week. The experience turned out positive for the German, and he is now planning to attend further events in the future.

On July 31, Ullrich lined up at the Giro delle Dolomiti in Bolzano under a pseudonym, "Max Kraft" (literally "Max Power"). But his anonymity didn't last long, as fellow participants amongst the approximate 700 cyclists in the field soon recognised the only German Tour de France winner, who has only been back in training for four months.

Ullrich was pleasantly surprised with how the field reacted to his presence, according to Radsportnews. "At one point, my shoulder almost started to hurt from all the tapping! But it felt good. It showed me that people still like me - at least those, who also like cycling," he said.

The 37-year-old started the cyclosportive event without a transponder at first, but then took one one on stage three. He clocked 96th on the Passo Nigra and was respectful of the amateurs' level of competition. "It was surprisingly fast," said Ullrich, who nevertheless takes part without any sporting ambitions - a new experience to him.

"I just want to find the pleasure of cycling again," he continued. "Hobby races are a lot of fun. You ride along with like-minded people, talk about the course and bikes, give some advice... it's just cycling. Without having to talk about doping all the time!"

Together with his manager, Ullrich has decided to line up at more cylocportives in the future and to raise funds for charity in this way. His next ride will be the Ötztaler Radmarathon in Austria on August 28.

"There will be packages on offer to ride and spend time with Jan," Ullrich's media manager Falk Nier explained. The revenue would be donated charities.

cheers

One more guy that will finish in front of me :o

In front of a lot of guys, if he so wished!

Nice outcome for Ullrich. It was always my impression that he was never really comfortable with his talent and the ambitions that others had for him.

Tend to agree there. He always seemed to just be overwhelmed by the moment, and only in those times when there were low expectations did he really excel.

Good to see him back though. He gives us fat guys hope we can climb mountains.

He was a joy to watch.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l39ah...eature=related

he is only 37
i felt strong as a bull at 37
cheers

With the right uhh... supplements :banana:

(I love Ullrich, don't get me wrong and I think he unfairly took the brunt of a peloton doped to the gills)

i always loved Jan, takes a lot of fortitude to show up for second place that many times in a row.

He seemed to lack the "killer instinct" that Armstrong had. I don't think that he really enjoyed racing. He did it because he was good at it and it was a way to make a nice living.

Someone once joked that if Merckx was the Cannibal, Ullrich should be called the Vegetarian.

If "finding the fun" is truly his aim then I commend him for it. I suspect many of us find ourselves on similar quests. Good to know that a that a TDF winner is a normal guy.

I always find it cool when retired pros keep riding. Hinault looked really fit at this year's Tour de France! Moser is another example.

Hinault is still riding, you can see him in some cyclosportives in France regularly.