Lance Armstrong: "Jan Ullrich, Marco Pantani and myself were treated differently. This is the price to pay when you are the best in a sport"

Jan Ullrich has had a documentary released this week, and the German's story involves other stars of his generation, which ruled a dark past in cycling's history. Lance Armstrong believes that he and the riders who won the most at the time were treated differently as a result.

”Jan Ullrich and I were icons in our respective countries. Me because I had overcome cancer and inspired many people. Jan because he was the first German to win the Grande Boucle. It may not seem modest, but we were the greatest in world cycling and we were part of this generation of shit," Zeit Magazin.

Amongst these three riders, before the disqualifications came in, were nine Tour de France titles and between all of these were several battles for the Grand Tours. They are some of the riders who are also the most heavily criticized when it comes to the theme of doping, but currently several of the figures of the past continue to have a big voice within the sport and use it.

“While the other doped cyclists were able to continue working, Jan Ullrich, Marco Pantani and myself were treated differently," Armstrong believes. "This is the price to pay when you are the best in a sport, you are a symbol. It took me ten years of struggle to get out of that hole. It was difficult. And that's why I didn't leave Jan alone when he felt bad."