Sunday, September 26th 2021
“I’m so proud of you, champ”
Lance Armstrong visits Jan Ullrich
In the early 2000s, Lance Armstrong and Jan Ullrich fought numerous thrilling duels on the bike. After that, both of them have a crash. In the meantime, the deep rivalry has turned into friendship.
Lance Armstrong met his old rival Jan Ullrich on the holiday island of Mallorca. The 50-year-old former cycling star, whose seven victories at the Tour de France were stripped of because of doping, published photos of the meeting during a cycling camp on Instagram.
“It is impossible to put into words what it means to me (and millions of others) to see this man back and healthy again,” wrote Armstrong. “I’m so proud of you Champ and I love you deeply and will always be there for you.” Armstrong’s former helper George Hincapie, who is producing a podcast with the Texan, was also present at the meeting in Spain. Armstrong’s former team boss Johann Bruyneel was also present.
The camp for wealthy customers, which had been planned for a year, had been postponed due to the corona pandemic. Armstrong and Ullrich had fought thrilling duels on the tour at the beginning of the 2000s, from which the American always emerged as the winner. While Armstrong caught up with his doping past after his career, Ullrich suffered a crash in health.
On Armstrong’s 50th birthday a week ago, the 47-year-old wrote in “Bild am Sonntag”: “A good three years ago, in the most difficult phase of my life, you were there for me, dear Lance. You gave me a hand seized and showed that the greatest rival can become a real friend. Your support has helped me to be healthy again today and to have my life under control. “