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Jan Ullrich: De man, de mythe, de waarheid
In 1997 drukte Jan Ullrich een stempel op de wielerwereld door zijn rivalen te verpletteren in de eerste bergetappe van de Tour de France en hij werd dat jaar de eerste Duitse Tourwinnaar ooit en liet een onvergetelijke indruk achter bij collega’s, fans en pers. Iedereen was het erover eens: Jan Ullrich was de meest getalenteerde renner van zijn generatie en de toekomst van de sport.
Hij groeide uit tot een nationale held, werd al snel verkozen tot meest populaire sporter aller tijden in Duitsland en was verantwoordelijk voor de toenemende populariteit van het wielrennen in zijn thuisland. Toch lukte het Ullrich na zijn overwinning van 1997 nooit meer echt de top te bereiken. Zijn voortdurende rivaliteit met Lance Armstrong in de jaren die volgden zou zelfs de basis vormen voor de meest controversiële periode in de geschiedenis van de Tour de France.
In Jan Ullrich: de man, de mythe, de waarheid vertelt Daniel Friebe Ullrichs verhaal. Het is het aangrijpende verslag van een lot dat bepaald werd door een moeilijke jeugd, mentale en fysieke kwetsbaarheid, ondraaglijke verwachtingen, een moreel corrupte sport en de invloed van één man: Lance Armstrong.
Hij groeide uit tot een nationale held, werd al snel verkozen tot meest populaire sporter aller tijden in Duitsland en was verantwoordelijk voor de toenemende populariteit van het wielrennen in zijn thuisland. Toch lukte het Ullrich na zijn overwinning van 1997 nooit meer echt de top te bereiken. Zijn voortdurende rivaliteit met Lance Armstrong in de jaren die volgden zou zelfs de basis vormen voor de meest controversiële periode in de geschiedenis van de Tour de France.
In Jan Ullrich: de man, de mythe, de waarheid vertelt Daniel Friebe Ullrichs verhaal. Het is het aangrijpende verslag van een lot dat bepaald werd door een moeilijke jeugd, mentale en fysieke kwetsbaarheid, ondraaglijke verwachtingen, een moreel corrupte sport en de invloed van één man: Lance Armstrong.
528 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2016
121 people are currently reading
621 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Friebe
14 books29 followersDaniel Friebe is one of Britain's leading cycling journalists and a veteran of nine Tours de France. For the last five years Daniel has been the Features Editor of Procycling Magazine. He collaborated with cycling superstar Mark Cavendish on the bestselling Boy Racer - My Journey to Tour de France Record Breaker.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
October 19, 2022
A great, thoroughly researched and well-written biography of a complicated and controversial character in cycling. At the same time a fascinating look at the pervasive doping culture in cycling in the 1990s-2000s, East Germany's sports (and drugs) programme and the consequences of our eagerness to put people on pedestals only to tear them down again once they disappoint us.
August 9, 2022
I’ve read many cycling biographies and this is among the very best. Thoroughly researched but always easy to read and engaging. A brilliant work placing a fascinating character in the context that created him.
June 30, 2022
The long awaited biography of Jan Ullrich by the eloquent and knowledgeable Daniel Friebe does not disappoint. Friebe is one the presenters of the Cycling Podcast and has been working as a journalist in cycling for two decades. As a veteran reporter on the Tour caravan, a polyglot, and an avid speed golf player he turned out to be the best biographer we could have wished for. He moved to Germany, and properly learned German to write this book.
Friebe has done extensive research and talked to numerous people around Ullrich. He read articles dating back as far as the early nineties, watched numerous races, but also interviewed coaches, colleagues and friends of the famous cyclist. Friebe found a way to incorporate all that information in a high paced book, where all important episodes from Ullrich life seem to get adequate attention. He expertly describes the great achievements of Ullrich, and also all the smaller and big failures, while giving insight into the person doing all this. No mean feat, because Ullrich is somewhat of an enigma. The result is a book that's not just very readable, the result is a very, very good book.
Perhaps Friebe’s greatest achievement is capturing the elusive cyclist, and explaining his mystery, without breaking it. Even though he discusses the less attractive details of Ullrich, you never lose a sense of connectedness with ‘Der Jan’. And perhaps that’s the core of this book. It is both a fine work of journalism, but also respectful.
Ullrich may never have lived out his full potential to become the greatest rider of his era, for now he seems to have gotten the greatest biography of them for sure.
Friebe has done extensive research and talked to numerous people around Ullrich. He read articles dating back as far as the early nineties, watched numerous races, but also interviewed coaches, colleagues and friends of the famous cyclist. Friebe found a way to incorporate all that information in a high paced book, where all important episodes from Ullrich life seem to get adequate attention. He expertly describes the great achievements of Ullrich, and also all the smaller and big failures, while giving insight into the person doing all this. No mean feat, because Ullrich is somewhat of an enigma. The result is a book that's not just very readable, the result is a very, very good book.
Perhaps Friebe’s greatest achievement is capturing the elusive cyclist, and explaining his mystery, without breaking it. Even though he discusses the less attractive details of Ullrich, you never lose a sense of connectedness with ‘Der Jan’. And perhaps that’s the core of this book. It is both a fine work of journalism, but also respectful.
Ullrich may never have lived out his full potential to become the greatest rider of his era, for now he seems to have gotten the greatest biography of them for sure.
August 19, 2022
A beautiful book. It's less a biography, though it is that too, than an exploration of the life and times of. Of course it has a thrilling account of the 1997 Tour and other races, too - as well as a detailed account of the Operación Puerto doping investigation that ended Ullrich's career. Als Ostdeutscher though, I found the book especially compelling and highly perceptive of our strange (East) German and ways and our complex history (and the even more complicated manner in which we're processing it) - the interpretation of which plays a central role in The Best That Never Won. This may be surprising for a 'sports book', but should only encourage people to check out this and Daniel Friebe's other work, especially on the wonderful Cycling Podcast with Lionel Birnie and the late Richard Moore RIP. Like in Friebe's other books and the podcast, it is our world itself that reveals itself when viewed through the lens of cycling. And, the author did I think succeed in treating the ongoing, and often tragic, story of Ullrich with empathy.
July 12, 2022
Jan Ullrich burst onto the scene in 1997, it looked like the Tour de France had found a new star who was going to dominate the tour for the next decade. But despite winning the Tour the following year Ullrich faced his own personal battles which always prevented him going on to be he star he could have been. There was of course his nemesis Lance Armstrong that also stopped him and that’s where the latter half of this book goes into the drug problem that struck cycling in that era. A fascinating read.
August 25, 2025
Vor vielen Jahren und noch vor seinem Absturz habe ich Ullrich mal aus der Ferne gesehen, als er beim Allgäu-Triathlon Teil einer Staffel war. Kaum im Ziel war er umschwärmt von Fans. Ich wusste nicht, wieso. Ullrich hatte doch gedopt. Das wussten alle, nur er wollte es nicht zugeben. Für mich war Ullrich damit unten durch. Bis ich dieses Buch gelesen habe.
Präzise arbeitet es heraus, was Ullrich angetrieben hat. Beschreibt seinen Erfolgshunger, Zerrissenheit und Qualen besser, als er es selbst könnte. Literally. Ullrich hat selbst eine Biografie in Auftrag gegeben, die aber nicht besonders doll sein soll.
Friebe hat nicht mit ihm gesprochen, aber mit allen anderen wichtigen Personen aus Ullrichs Umfeld, die ihn auf seinem Weg begleitet, ihn motiviert oder auch enttäuscht haben. Aus dieser akribischen, in Teilen fast schon obsessiven Recherche zieht das Buch seine Kraft. Friebe wollte wirklich alles wissen und mit jedem reden. Die Fülle an Details und die Auseinandersetzung mit der Frage, wer etwas von Ullrichs Doping wusste oder sogar daran mitgewirkt haben könnte, erschlägt einen deshalb bisweilen. Aber es lohnt sich, allein schon wegen der abwechslungsreichen, feinen Sprache. Friebe kann nämlich nicht nur recherchieren, sondern hat die Ergebnisse auch inspirierend elegant aufgeschrieben. Vor allem merkt man aber, wie tiefgreifend die Auseinandersetzung mit der Person Ullrich ist, den er nicht verurteilt, dem er aber auch nichts durchgehen lässt, dessen Entscheidungen er zwar nicht sanft einordnet, dafür aber voller Empathie für die Umstände seines Werdegangs, des überlebensgroßen Hypes, den Ullrich auf dem Gipfel seines Erfolgs umgab und im Umfeld aller Personen, die an ihm gezerrt haben und an ihm verdienen wollten.
Kurz: Die beste Biografie, die ich gelesen habe.
Präzise arbeitet es heraus, was Ullrich angetrieben hat. Beschreibt seinen Erfolgshunger, Zerrissenheit und Qualen besser, als er es selbst könnte. Literally. Ullrich hat selbst eine Biografie in Auftrag gegeben, die aber nicht besonders doll sein soll.
Friebe hat nicht mit ihm gesprochen, aber mit allen anderen wichtigen Personen aus Ullrichs Umfeld, die ihn auf seinem Weg begleitet, ihn motiviert oder auch enttäuscht haben. Aus dieser akribischen, in Teilen fast schon obsessiven Recherche zieht das Buch seine Kraft. Friebe wollte wirklich alles wissen und mit jedem reden. Die Fülle an Details und die Auseinandersetzung mit der Frage, wer etwas von Ullrichs Doping wusste oder sogar daran mitgewirkt haben könnte, erschlägt einen deshalb bisweilen. Aber es lohnt sich, allein schon wegen der abwechslungsreichen, feinen Sprache. Friebe kann nämlich nicht nur recherchieren, sondern hat die Ergebnisse auch inspirierend elegant aufgeschrieben. Vor allem merkt man aber, wie tiefgreifend die Auseinandersetzung mit der Person Ullrich ist, den er nicht verurteilt, dem er aber auch nichts durchgehen lässt, dessen Entscheidungen er zwar nicht sanft einordnet, dafür aber voller Empathie für die Umstände seines Werdegangs, des überlebensgroßen Hypes, den Ullrich auf dem Gipfel seines Erfolgs umgab und im Umfeld aller Personen, die an ihm gezerrt haben und an ihm verdienen wollten.
Kurz: Die beste Biografie, die ich gelesen habe.
May 5, 2023
Audible. The problem with this book is that Ulrich is the archetypical one dimensional sportsman. Everyone agrees he’s a nice guy but he has zero personality, no interests, not even cycling, no drive, motivation, curiosity, empathy, self awareness or it appears intelligence. Led from pillar to post, he fell into doping because everyone else was doing it and one can’t help feel sympathy for someone who appears unsuited for almost any adult life, let alone the pressures of professional sport at an extremely turbulent time. He very much comes across as the victim of circumstances and his own inability to cope.
Never the less the book does have interest, life in the DDR and the reunification are aspects which are little known. Ironically the book springs to like whenever Armstrong appears, his drive and the power of his personality, both positive and negative are far more engaging and to give him his due he appears to genuinely like Ulrich and has stood by him, literally in some cases.
Finally not sure why Friebe didn’t narrate the book himself as he has an engaging voice, well known from TV and The Cycling Podcast.
Never the less the book does have interest, life in the DDR and the reunification are aspects which are little known. Ironically the book springs to like whenever Armstrong appears, his drive and the power of his personality, both positive and negative are far more engaging and to give him his due he appears to genuinely like Ulrich and has stood by him, literally in some cases.
Finally not sure why Friebe didn’t narrate the book himself as he has an engaging voice, well known from TV and The Cycling Podcast.
January 5, 2025
Interessanter Inhalt, furchtbar geschrieben.
May 22, 2024
this is an impeccably and lovingly researched piece on Jan Ullrich, by a cycling enthusiast author.
The title says it all, gives the feeling of the book. Ullrich's meteoric rise from East Germany during reunification as perhaps the most talented rider ever. The dark history of East German doping in sport. And then, during that time, the growing grip that doping had on elite cycling - dope or you would certainly not be in the gang chasing anything near the yellow jersey.
I followed cycling during the Armstrong reign with something amounting to fervor (at least in June/July!) I rooted for Lance, and didn't believe, even after the Porto investigation of doping, that Lance was involved. Of course I was entirely wrong, and as it all came out I was kind of done being a fan. Which is really sad, because these riders worked to the ultimate limits to be the best, and they couldn't even have a chance without cheating (blood doping, EPO, growth hormone, anabolic steroids). And it goes on and and ...
But Ullrich's story is particularly sad - perhaps because he just didn't - and doesn't have the personality of a Lance A - everyone says he was just a nice guy. Perhaps not a very developed personality. We really never learn the answer to that because Friebe never got a chance to sit down with Ullrich and make his own opinion. This is the biggest failing of the book - the Ullrich he presents is just other people's opinions.
To fully enjoy Friebe's work, I think the reader would have had to lived through late 90s and early 2000s cycling, especially the Tour de France - since just about everyone who is anyone - rider, manager, owner - appears here. So a bit like a fun return to a time when cycling was King. To the rest of us the names blur.
By the way, Lance did talk to Friebe, and he comes off pretty well. Go Lance, I'll always be your fan, just not as loudly as I did during your tour wins 3-7.
Definitely worth a read if you are interested in cycling.
The title says it all, gives the feeling of the book. Ullrich's meteoric rise from East Germany during reunification as perhaps the most talented rider ever. The dark history of East German doping in sport. And then, during that time, the growing grip that doping had on elite cycling - dope or you would certainly not be in the gang chasing anything near the yellow jersey.
I followed cycling during the Armstrong reign with something amounting to fervor (at least in June/July!) I rooted for Lance, and didn't believe, even after the Porto investigation of doping, that Lance was involved. Of course I was entirely wrong, and as it all came out I was kind of done being a fan. Which is really sad, because these riders worked to the ultimate limits to be the best, and they couldn't even have a chance without cheating (blood doping, EPO, growth hormone, anabolic steroids). And it goes on and and ...
But Ullrich's story is particularly sad - perhaps because he just didn't - and doesn't have the personality of a Lance A - everyone says he was just a nice guy. Perhaps not a very developed personality. We really never learn the answer to that because Friebe never got a chance to sit down with Ullrich and make his own opinion. This is the biggest failing of the book - the Ullrich he presents is just other people's opinions.
To fully enjoy Friebe's work, I think the reader would have had to lived through late 90s and early 2000s cycling, especially the Tour de France - since just about everyone who is anyone - rider, manager, owner - appears here. So a bit like a fun return to a time when cycling was King. To the rest of us the names blur.
By the way, Lance did talk to Friebe, and he comes off pretty well. Go Lance, I'll always be your fan, just not as loudly as I did during your tour wins 3-7.
Definitely worth a read if you are interested in cycling.
June 20, 2022
Slightly slow and pedestrian start for me but increased "pace". Interesting contributions from those involved.
08.56
08.56
July 31, 2022
4.5 A very enjoyable tale of an era of cycling I often, consciously or subconsciously overlook. Ulrich proves to be a compelling if flawed main character who doesn't ultimately redeem himself. Friebe's writing is fantastic and the cultural insights into East and unified Germany are very interesting. I would thoroughly recommend it to any cycling enthusiast.
November 14, 2022
Ronduit onthutsend. Ik was bereid veel te slikken (desnoods grote hoeveelheden epo), maar het is vooral de post-wielrenner Jan Ullrich die me deerlijk heeft ontgoocheld. Op een bepaald moment schrijft Daniel Friebe dat Ullrich op het punt heeft gestaan de weg van Pantani op te gaan (Jan Ullrich heeft geweigerd met hem te spreken bij het schrijven van het boek, maar heeft hem via gemeenschappelijke contacten wel bepaalde informatie overgemaakt). Als je weet dat Lance Armstrong Ullrich nog ter hulp is moeten schieten om hem te leren afkicken van drank en drugs, dan weet je het wel, zeker! En niet alleen was Ullrich net als Pantani een gevaar voor zichzelf maar ook voor zijn omgeving en dat vind ik nog veel erger!
Een benadering die men langs twee kanten kan bekijken is die van het DDR-verleden van Ullrich. Zijn oorspronkelijke discipline en strikte volgzaamheid wordt door de auteur als positief gevolg van dit verleden bekeken. Over een overeenkomst tussen het DDR-dopingprogramma en de vroegste resultaten van Jan wordt warm en koud geblazen (er bestaat alleszins geen bewijs voor), maar het ergste vind ik persoonlijk iets dat weggemoffeld wordt in een voetnoot (namelijk nr.39 p.522): “In 2013 meldde Der Spiegel evenwel, met verwijzing naar opnieuw ingeziene documenten van het ministerie van Volksgezondheid van de DDR, dat de West-Duitse fabrikant van epo Boehringer Mannheim in het Charité-ziekenhuis in Berlijn epo had uitgeprobeerd op dertig te vroeg geboren baby’s. Het tijdschrift voerde bewijs aan dat Boehringer een van de vele West-Duitse farmaceutische bedrijven was die eind jaren tachtig bescheiden bedragen betaalden voor het rekruteren van zo’n 50.000 Oost-Duitse vrijwilligers voor experimentele behandelingen. Daarbij zouden diverse deelnemers zijn overleden.”
Een benadering die men langs twee kanten kan bekijken is die van het DDR-verleden van Ullrich. Zijn oorspronkelijke discipline en strikte volgzaamheid wordt door de auteur als positief gevolg van dit verleden bekeken. Over een overeenkomst tussen het DDR-dopingprogramma en de vroegste resultaten van Jan wordt warm en koud geblazen (er bestaat alleszins geen bewijs voor), maar het ergste vind ik persoonlijk iets dat weggemoffeld wordt in een voetnoot (namelijk nr.39 p.522): “In 2013 meldde Der Spiegel evenwel, met verwijzing naar opnieuw ingeziene documenten van het ministerie van Volksgezondheid van de DDR, dat de West-Duitse fabrikant van epo Boehringer Mannheim in het Charité-ziekenhuis in Berlijn epo had uitgeprobeerd op dertig te vroeg geboren baby’s. Het tijdschrift voerde bewijs aan dat Boehringer een van de vele West-Duitse farmaceutische bedrijven was die eind jaren tachtig bescheiden bedragen betaalden voor het rekruteren van zo’n 50.000 Oost-Duitse vrijwilligers voor experimentele behandelingen. Daarbij zouden diverse deelnemers zijn overleden.”
August 10, 2025
I got into cycling and watching professional road cycling at the time that Ulrich was turning everyone's heads. I was riveted by his battles with Armstrong and particularly the 2023 Tour de France, always rooting for Ulrich whom I saw as the underdog. This is all to say that I'm so glad that Friebe went to such extraordinary lengths to research Ulrich and tell his story from beginning to now. The insights he provides to Ulrich the person and those in his life, how that impacted his professional racing and then post racing life made this a wonderful read. It explained a lot of why Ulrich did what he did and what he didn't do. His relationship with Armstrong right through to the current day is also well researched and insightful. A superb book for cycling fans of the era and also more generally what doping - or "the system" as it was known in Deutsche Telecom - did to many in his generation and to broader athletes from the former East Germany. Friebe is an excellent writer, his words flow easily and he covers complex topics in simple, effective language. A full 5 stars.
July 23, 2023
I have read alot of biographies, and this is one of the best. Jan Ullrich has always interested me. As a massive fan of lance Armstrong, for me, Jan was the other guy. Every hero needs a vilain and it seems like Jan involuntarily fit into that role. A tough upbringing, along with impossible expectations created a pretty tough life for someone who just wanted to do the best he could. Daniel Friebe has done an exceptional job at writing a non biased, well researched book, and like a fine wine I genuinely looked forward getting into bed early and reading this every night.
August 6, 2024
Audiobook! Ugh I wanna give Jan the biggest hug.
Can’t believe LANCE ARMSTRONG comes out of this looking good, but he kinda does? Not as good as Tyler Hamilton’s the secret race simply because it had to be crafted without ever speaking to Ulrich, but insightful and at times deeply upsetting.
Does make you wonder during this current season how many athletes at the Summer Olympics are currently doping. If cycling - one of the most tested sports in existence - is any example, it’s probably a good chunk of them.
Can’t believe LANCE ARMSTRONG comes out of this looking good, but he kinda does? Not as good as Tyler Hamilton’s the secret race simply because it had to be crafted without ever speaking to Ulrich, but insightful and at times deeply upsetting.
Does make you wonder during this current season how many athletes at the Summer Olympics are currently doping. If cycling - one of the most tested sports in existence - is any example, it’s probably a good chunk of them.
February 15, 2023
Growing up watching tour de France in 90s & 00s was always fascinated watching ullrich . Similar facts about him as most cyclists of that period. Interesting portrayal of his life. For me thought some chapters I found heavy going so two stars where others more like 4 stars so I gave 3 stars overall.
If you read most cycling books this is worth reading. If you only read 1 a year I think there are better ones
If you read most cycling books this is worth reading. If you only read 1 a year I think there are better ones
September 5, 2025
I went into this book knowing very little about Jan Ullrich, or the era of cycling he was compiting in, and came away feeling like I’d gotten the full picture. Daniel Friebe does an incredible job of balancing the triumphs and controversies, painting Ullrich as a complex and very human figure. It’s a deeply engaging, fair, and fascinating biography of one of cycling’s most complicated champions.
August 4, 2025
Audiobook. I am a massive Daniel Friebe fan. This book was characteristically thorough and empathetic. If non-cycling fans would like any cycling biography, it would be this one. Cycling is a sport of tragic heros, and this book tells that story well.
March 12, 2023
Beautifully written, desperately moving
Beautiful writing, well researched and brilliantly balanced. I think Daniel wrestled with this one, I'm glad he did.
Perfect for any cycling fan, but also for those who are interested in the complexity and fragility that often accompanies the most gifted, but also the experiences that shapes them.
I'll be reflecting on this one for some time to come.
Beautiful writing, well researched and brilliantly balanced. I think Daniel wrestled with this one, I'm glad he did.
Perfect for any cycling fan, but also for those who are interested in the complexity and fragility that often accompanies the most gifted, but also the experiences that shapes them.
I'll be reflecting on this one for some time to come.
January 12, 2025
Moeizaam boek over een moeizame figuur. Het sleept zich ruim 500 bladzijden voort. Regelmatig moest ik zinnen een paar keer lezen omdat de vertaling uit het Engels raar stuiterde of omdat de woordvolgorde, typisch Engels, in het Nederlands vreemd overkomt. Klein voorbeeldje: 'En als Ullrich de zon was, dan waren Telekom en al het andere in zijn baan de aarde die zich in zijn gouden gloed koesterde.' En toch blijf je doorlezen, in de hoop dat het boek en het leven van Jan beter zullen worden.
De foto op de voorkant voert de lezer terug naar die mooie tijden van de Tour de France in de negentiger jaren, waarvan iedereen weet dat de grootste epo-gebruikers het meeste succes hadden. Pure nostalgie.
De foto op de voorkant voert de lezer terug naar die mooie tijden van de Tour de France in de negentiger jaren, waarvan iedereen weet dat de grootste epo-gebruikers het meeste succes hadden. Pure nostalgie.
June 23, 2023
A triumphant exploration of an enigmatic subject who declined to be interviewed in person (perhaps not surprisingly when you read about some of his past disasters with the media). Daniel Friebe draws on extensive research to create a biography that is honest about Ullrich’s faults but also sympathetic and warm. Ullrich’s story inevitably links with the history of doping in pro cycling and this, too, together with the murky slew of silence and skewed morality surrounding it, is explored with clarity.
August 25, 2022
Heerlijk boek over m’n jeugdheld. Knap staaltje diepgaande onderzoeksjournalistiek. Zelfs als je denkt dat je echt alles over deze periode al kent, lees je toch weer nieuwe details. Aanrader voor de wielerliefhebbers.
August 19, 2022
Well researched, well written book with still new voices, angles and details even if you think you’ve heard it all.
July 3, 2023
Detailed and insightful, 400 gripping pages of deeply researched biography. Captures the thrill of Ullroch’s 1997 Tour victory in Arcalis, and the annual capitulation to Armstrong. This is a tragic tale: the annual binging, a tormented character who could not commit to the sacrifices required by elite sports, and spiralled into abuse and self-abuse when periodically stepping away from family and support post-career. Ulli is placed in context - particularly of growing up in the DDR’s sporting program, and the loss of the DDR’s certainties. And of his generation of cuclists being fuelled by PEDs.
Daniel Friebe, as a host of the Cycling Podcast, is one of the most interesting spoken-word commentators on cycling and this lives up to that. Comparisons are with some of the best cycle sport books:
Friebe’s own ghost-written Cavendish autobiographies. There the achievement was to give an authentic voice - sometimes it really sounded like a Cav interview recounting a sprint finish. Here it’s more complex: a revealing and sympathetic portrait of a man who does not articulate well, and did not speak to the author at all.
Tyler Hamilton’s drugs confession: the Fuentes passage has all the drama of the tell-all autobiographies, and familiar grappling with moral complexities.
Richard Moore’s search for Robert Millar: each subject experiences their frustration and their joy through their relationship with their body; neither has a simple story of sporting success.
Daniel Friebe, as a host of the Cycling Podcast, is one of the most interesting spoken-word commentators on cycling and this lives up to that. Comparisons are with some of the best cycle sport books:
Friebe’s own ghost-written Cavendish autobiographies. There the achievement was to give an authentic voice - sometimes it really sounded like a Cav interview recounting a sprint finish. Here it’s more complex: a revealing and sympathetic portrait of a man who does not articulate well, and did not speak to the author at all.
Tyler Hamilton’s drugs confession: the Fuentes passage has all the drama of the tell-all autobiographies, and familiar grappling with moral complexities.
Richard Moore’s search for Robert Millar: each subject experiences their frustration and their joy through their relationship with their body; neither has a simple story of sporting success.
August 2, 2022
Ullrich was one of my favourite cyclists, watching him in the Tour de France against Armstrong in the early 2000’s, has stuck in my memory ever since. The poise, power and elan of this former East German athlete stood out a mile. Which made his losses against Armstrong seem all the more perplexing.
This book goes some way in addressing this anomaly. The insecurities, the weight problems, the destructive issues off the bike and the advantages Armstrong had, in having a co-operative Team, a stronger mental approach and of course a better Svengali sports doctor in the guise of the infamous Dr Ferrari.
Could it have been reversed in Ullrich’s favour, if the same ‘assistance’ was available?, this book appears to suggest it was a possibility.
But realistically neither Ullrich or Pantani ( another rider who followed a similar fall from grace as Ullrich, ending in graver circumstances) could compete with the Armstrong phenomena whom, either on the bike or off of it, was always going to be the preferred cash cow of the TDF. Who could blame the organisers with the financial clout and resources of the USA and his celebrity status after surviving cancer.
Of course all of this was played out in the midst of some of the biggest drug infringements in the Tour’s history, to the point that the Tour was no longer functioning as a sporting event. No one who rode in this period escaped suspicion and/or prosecution and history has revealed both Ullrich and Armstrong as drug cheats.
A revealing book and a good read. I chose four stars for no other reason than the book could have benefitted from an extra 100 pages or so, and some better editing, as the author, I felt, had a lot more to give concerning this fascinating period of cycling history.
This book goes some way in addressing this anomaly. The insecurities, the weight problems, the destructive issues off the bike and the advantages Armstrong had, in having a co-operative Team, a stronger mental approach and of course a better Svengali sports doctor in the guise of the infamous Dr Ferrari.
Could it have been reversed in Ullrich’s favour, if the same ‘assistance’ was available?, this book appears to suggest it was a possibility.
But realistically neither Ullrich or Pantani ( another rider who followed a similar fall from grace as Ullrich, ending in graver circumstances) could compete with the Armstrong phenomena whom, either on the bike or off of it, was always going to be the preferred cash cow of the TDF. Who could blame the organisers with the financial clout and resources of the USA and his celebrity status after surviving cancer.
Of course all of this was played out in the midst of some of the biggest drug infringements in the Tour’s history, to the point that the Tour was no longer functioning as a sporting event. No one who rode in this period escaped suspicion and/or prosecution and history has revealed both Ullrich and Armstrong as drug cheats.
A revealing book and a good read. I chose four stars for no other reason than the book could have benefitted from an extra 100 pages or so, and some better editing, as the author, I felt, had a lot more to give concerning this fascinating period of cycling history.
June 21, 2024
Gruelling but good read
As someone only initiated into the sport of pro cycling after 2015, although aware of Lance Armstrong since 2000, this deep dive into the era of blood doping, through the lens of the career of Jan Ullrich, is difficult reading but a warts-and-all exposé of that time of shame for the sport. It haunts riders and cycling this day, and this book helps us understand why. Jan Ullrich is a tragic character, but comes across as likeable (unlike Lance Armstrong). He is his own worst enemy, but you can't help but feel he has issues that, growing up in a different environment (and maybe a different time) would have been recognised and addressed.
I am blown away by the amount of work that went into this, and very moved by Daniel Friebe's ability to be objective and rational while at the same time compassionate. Writing this must have taken a toll. I've always respected Friebe as a journalist. This book puts him in another category altogether. It's a long read, and about much more than just bike riding, but if you love this sport, read this book.
As someone only initiated into the sport of pro cycling after 2015, although aware of Lance Armstrong since 2000, this deep dive into the era of blood doping, through the lens of the career of Jan Ullrich, is difficult reading but a warts-and-all exposé of that time of shame for the sport. It haunts riders and cycling this day, and this book helps us understand why. Jan Ullrich is a tragic character, but comes across as likeable (unlike Lance Armstrong). He is his own worst enemy, but you can't help but feel he has issues that, growing up in a different environment (and maybe a different time) would have been recognised and addressed.
I am blown away by the amount of work that went into this, and very moved by Daniel Friebe's ability to be objective and rational while at the same time compassionate. Writing this must have taken a toll. I've always respected Friebe as a journalist. This book puts him in another category altogether. It's a long read, and about much more than just bike riding, but if you love this sport, read this book.
October 9, 2025
An interesting read, but doesn't make it into the/my top-tier cycling auto/biography books. The childhood historical background of communist East Germany is probably necessary, but it is not essential cycling reading, and so felt a little slow and not completely engaging. Other parts - Lance Armstrong on the golf course - also feel rather tangential and not immediate, but I guess this is inevitable given the book was written without access to the rider. That said it is possible - take for example 'In Search of Robert Millar', which is compelling and excellent.
Really interesting background into the tendencies, excesses and flaws of Ullrich, his personality, his eating habits, also into the Telekom team and what it represented in Germany. A story definitely worth telling and reading, but perhaps it could also have worked with some details omitted and a a shorter book.
7/10
Really interesting background into the tendencies, excesses and flaws of Ullrich, his personality, his eating habits, also into the Telekom team and what it represented in Germany. A story definitely worth telling and reading, but perhaps it could also have worked with some details omitted and a a shorter book.
7/10
March 15, 2023
The amount of detail, research, and fact checking that must have gone into this book is stunning. This is the caliber of biographical research that you might expect from a think tank about former head of the soviet republic not a cycling journalist about a retired cyclist. Every page is packed with fascinating details that warrant at least second cover to cover read.
The only disappointment is I was left empty by the fact that Jan declined to be interviewed, which really just mirrors the disappointment I repeatedly felt when discovering the number of times Jan could have chosen a different path, and the emptiness I feel that he seems to still be turning the cranks with a dropped chain.
An aspect of Jan's story that may be of interest to any athlete is the impact on success of natural (genetic) ability, training, and grit (or lack thereof). Less of a how to and more of a cautionary tale, Jan's story can provide a dose of motivation to stick with the hard work.
After reading this book I came across GRIT by Angela Duckworth, PhD, which details her research that indicates "grit" is a much stronger determinant of success than "talent".
The only disappointment is I was left empty by the fact that Jan declined to be interviewed, which really just mirrors the disappointment I repeatedly felt when discovering the number of times Jan could have chosen a different path, and the emptiness I feel that he seems to still be turning the cranks with a dropped chain.
An aspect of Jan's story that may be of interest to any athlete is the impact on success of natural (genetic) ability, training, and grit (or lack thereof). Less of a how to and more of a cautionary tale, Jan's story can provide a dose of motivation to stick with the hard work.
After reading this book I came across GRIT by Angela Duckworth, PhD, which details her research that indicates "grit" is a much stronger determinant of success than "talent".
January 24, 2023
Not only an incredibly well-researched deep-dive into Ullrich's career, but also a biography that makes you consider the effect that the reunification of Germany had on his generation and rethink the EPO era of cycling that his career spanned. Before reading the book I had a very black-and-white view of doping in cycling and a clear impression of who were the baddies and the goodies, but the individual stories are of course more complex than that.
I loved finding out in the book that Fuentes (the dodgy doctor of Operación Puerto fame) used the Hotel Diana (now Senator) in my neighbourhood for blood transfusions for many of his cyclists, including dozens of times for Ullrich. It's a small world!
Jan Ullrich features in my first memories of watching cycling, and although my feelings towards those achievements have undoubtedly changed, they were still special moments.
I loved finding out in the book that Fuentes (the dodgy doctor of Operación Puerto fame) used the Hotel Diana (now Senator) in my neighbourhood for blood transfusions for many of his cyclists, including dozens of times for Ullrich. It's a small world!
Jan Ullrich features in my first memories of watching cycling, and although my feelings towards those achievements have undoubtedly changed, they were still special moments.
February 16, 2023
6/10
“Jan used to take a jar of Nutella, microwave it, and drink it out of a straw.”
The book is worth reading just for the wild Jan asides. Its also well researched and interesting. Essentially its a book about wasted potential of elite athletes, specifically Jan Ulrich, who was one of the more physically dominant bikers in history.
“Nothing belongs solely to the past.”
At age 13, Jan Ullrich could do an hour-long track stand on his bike (balancing it without going forward), that's unreal.
"Never is training more effective than when the participant is enjoying it."
Jan’s weight gain and loss is deemed the ‘battle of the bulge’.
“Jan used to take a jar of Nutella, microwave it, and drink it out of a straw.”
The book is worth reading just for the wild Jan asides. Its also well researched and interesting. Essentially its a book about wasted potential of elite athletes, specifically Jan Ulrich, who was one of the more physically dominant bikers in history.
“Nothing belongs solely to the past.”
At age 13, Jan Ullrich could do an hour-long track stand on his bike (balancing it without going forward), that's unreal.
"Never is training more effective than when the participant is enjoying it."
Jan’s weight gain and loss is deemed the ‘battle of the bulge’.
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