Jan Ullrich is still Germany’s only winner of the Tour de France, among other things, Olympic champion and two time trial world champion. The cycling idol hopes that one day his sons can follow in his sporting footsteps.
“I keep my fingers crossed,” said the now 51-year-old, who has now made the turnaround after excessive drug and alcohol capades and subsequent therapies, at the Fibo fitness fair.
Jan Ullrich has three sons with his ex-wife Sara Steinhauser. “They also drive. They are not yet at the age of being professionals, but they also come after,” said the former cycling professional, who was one of the best cyclists in the world in the 1990s and 2000s.
With a laugh he added: “A few more years, then it hits.” Max was born in 2007, four years later Benno. Ullrich’s son Benni is one year younger. Benno and Toni are registered with German cycling in the Baden-Württemberg state association.
Impressed by Lipowitz
By the way, Jan Ullrich dares to make the leap into the world class and thus also at the Tour de France to the German young professional Florian Lipowitz.
“He can mountains, he can time, he can position himself in front,” said the seven-time tourist winner about the 24-year-old, who was recently second at Paris-Nizza. “These are very good results that hope that more will come. I see him together with Georg Steinhauser for the overall ranking.”
The same applies to Lennard Kämna, who gave his comeback on Monday after over a one -year break due to an accident. “In my opinion, he has very good chances of getting really well again,” said Ullrich. Kämna switched from Red Bull to Lidl-Trek to take a restart after five years at the only top German team.
Reunion with Armstrong
Ullrich himself is currently preparing for a sporty reunion with Lance Armstrong. In the Cycling Festival organized under Ullrich’s name, he and his longtime rival take part in an exit in Bad Dürrheim in mid -May.
Ullrich and Armstrong now have a close friendship. The Texaner helped the native of Rostock in the past when he struggled with his demons.