Jan Ullrich is in a rehabilitation clinic in Switzerland after suffering a relapse during his recovery from issues with drink and drugs.
The 1997 Tour de France winner and two-time TT world champion, has spoken openly of his struggles with alcohol and drugs after being arrested, in Mallorca and Germany, three years ago.
Reports in German state Ullrich was recently in Cuba celebrating his 42nd birthday when he suffered a relapse. He was said to have been very intoxicated on a flight to Mexico, the first leg of his planned journey back to Europe.
However, rather than making the full journey he was taken to hospital in Mexico and has since traveled on to Switzerland, where he was now in a rehab clinic, according to German newspaper Bild.
After his well publicised problems in 2018, when he said he nearly died, Ullrich has recently been living in Mallorca with his new partner and has been back doing some cycling.
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He met with his old rival Lance Armstrong on the island in September and appeared as a guest on the American's podcast, The Move.
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“You know my story, three years ago I had big problems. And you come and visit me. I was so happy you come,” he said of Armstrong going to see him in Germany in August, 2018.
“And, yeah, I was in the same way of Marco Pantani; nearly dead. And then I recovered and I have good friends; you two and Johan you,” he said in reference to Armstrong, George Hincapie and Johan Bruyneel.
“And other friends also helped bring me back into life and now I’m very happy. I have my coach for my back muscles. I train every day good and drink water. I stop alcohol and drugs three years ago. I live very healthy, my girlfriend cooking very healthy for me.
“And this all together brings me to a good shape and a good feeling. I have good friends and a good team at home. I’m not alone and that’s important. I needed help and now I have the help."
In 2018 Ullrich was arrested by the Spanish and German police after allegations were made against him by two people. A neighbour in Mallorca and a woman in a hotel in Germany accused him of assault.
It then emerged Ullrich had a drink and drug problem. In 2019 he was fined for the assault on the woman, who worked for an escort agency, though she declined to bring and further legal action against him.
