26/11/2023

"Jan Ullrich is an example of the dangers of high-performance sport" - Investigative journalist reacts to former Tour de France winner's long awaited admission of doping

Earlier this week, Jan Ullrich admitted for the first time to doping when he was at his peak. Although many had already suspected this, for investigative journalist, Hajo Seppelt, the admission is more of a warning than a triumph for the cycling world.

"As far as the public impact is concerned, I wouldn't overestimate it, because ultimately everyone already knew that," Seppelt analyses in conversation with Eurosport. "But for him personally, in my opinion, it is important that the sentence was said once: so that he is not constantly asked why he doesn't say it."

"Even if it sounds immodest: We were the greatest in cycling" - Lance Armstrong on the close bond he and Jan Ullrich share

Ullrich was one of the great riders of his age and alongside great rival turned great friend Lance Armstrong, the pair had many memorable battles. With both the pair now having admitted to doping however, the legacy of their historic rivalry is unquestionably tarnished, despite the fact it gave us some of the most entertaining racing ever seen.

"Jan Ullrich is an example of the dangers of high-performance sport and how people there are often given bad advice and left alone," says Seppelt. "I believe that he had very bad advisors who, from my point of view, were not intellectually suitable to get him on the right path, who themselves had an interest in things not being clarified, who made a lot of money from him and, moreover, simply could only have been completely overwhelmed. I can personally understand that one can go astray like Ullrich did. He lived in a different world then."

Jan Ullrich on doping in the 1990s: "The perception was that without assistance it was like going to a gunfight with a knife"

The big question though, is whether or not doping remains prevalent in the peloton of today. Seppelt does not believe so. "I actually believe that doping in cycling is no longer as systemic and systematic as it was 20 or 30 years ago. In this respect, there have already been cleansing thunderstorms," he clarifies.

"But I very much doubt that the mentality in sport has changed. Rather, it is the fear of discovery, of social ostracism, of ruining one's life - especially in Germany, where such things are particularly closely pursued," concludes Seppelt. "Doping only becomes damaging to business if it becomes public. Otherwise, everyone benefits because performance improves. The collateral damage such as health risks and, in individual cases, death are suppressed or even accepted."