He’s repeatedly ruled out a return to the professional ranks, but Jan Ullrich plans to compete again this weekend in a time trial in the Sigmaringen region district of Germany.
“Spontaneously I decided this Sunday, 5 June, to take part in the Germany Grand Prix in Bad Saulgau,” the 1997 Tour de France winner announced on his webpage.
“The Grand Prix Germany is a time trial for everyone – it will be started individually, in pairs or in four-man team. I'll start with my brother in law and former teammate Tobias Steinhauser, the editor of Road Bike Jens Vögele and Mark Adam of Mercury from pressure in the four-man team time trial over 37 km.” The quartet will begin their effort at 12:50 pm.
Although he last competed as a professional in 2006, his career coming to an end due to Operacion Puerto, Ullrich has continued training. Last year he accompanied compatriot and former team-mate Andreas Klöden as well as some others to their training camps, using the occasion to keep himself in shape.
Ullrich stresses that his team is not taking things ultra-seriously. “Of course it's not our team to victory or a particularly fast time, but for a good cause and the fun of sports.”
He said that the main goal is to encourage as many people to take part, and that a portion of the entry fee for each person would go to an institution caring for female addicts.
Ullrich took one Tour victory and was second five times. He also won the 1999 Vuelta a España and the Olympic road race in 2000.