Lance Armstrong and Jan Ullrich; together as Ullrich recovers from a very public drink and drugs crisis and faces serious criminal allegations.
Lance Armstrong goes to aid of troubled Jan Ullrich
After saying recently he would support ex-rival Jan Ullrich in any way that he could, Lance Armstrong has now met up with the troubled former pro.
"So great to spend the day with this man," Armstrong said in a message on social media in which he also shared a photo of himself with Jan Ullrich today.
"As many of y’all know, I love Jan Ullrich. He was such a special rival to me. He scared me; he motivated me, and truly brought out the best in me. Pure class on the bike.
"Fast forward to today and my friend is going through a rough patch. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to come to Germany to spend a few days with him.
Advertisement
"Please keep Jan in all of your thoughts and prayers. He needs our support right now."
Ullrich has been in trouble with the Spanish and German police in recent weeks. Alcohol and drugs were a feature of both incidents.
And in one of the cases, in Frankfurt last week, Ullrich is alleged to have seriously assaulted an escort in a hotel.
Two weeks ago he was arrested after an incident with his neighbour in Mallorca, the German actor and film director Til Schweiger.
Related News
He was holding a party at his home in Palma de Mallorca to celebrate the launch of a new film. Ullrich is accused of barging in and issuing threats.
He was arrested and kept in police custody before appearing before the courts. A restraining order was imposed and he was released.
Ullrich then told the German media he had become distressed since separating from his wife. He added he had not seen his sons since Christmas and was drinking and taking drugs.
He added he had decided to go to therapy out of love for his family. It appears he then flew to Germany to undergone that therapy.
But last Thursday week German police were called to a Frankfurt hotel after an escort alleged Ullrich had assaulted her.
He was again taken into custody as an investigation into allegations of "attempted manslaughter" and assault commenced.
When Ullrich was being released from police custody after being questioned, he suffered an episode described as a panic attack.
The police releasing him called for medical help and Ullrich was taken to a psychiatric facility.
And now Lance Armstrong had flown to Germany to visit his old friend and former rival.
Armstrong won the Tour de France seven times but has been stripped of those titles for doping and banned from cycling.
Ullrich won the Tour once, in 1997, and was 2nd five times. In 2013, long after he had retired, he admitted blood doping.
His Tour win still stands and he remains the only German to ever win the race.
Topics
