Lance Armstrong seen as "a gift from heaven" by Bradley Wiggins and Jan Ullrich

At the turn of millenium, the rivalry of Jan Ullrich and Lance Armstrong made the newspaper headlines, but their fates ultimately weren't connected by immeasurable glory. Rather it was the downfall that made the two gentlemen find a bond and ultimately build an unlikely friendship.

"We used to be competitors, with respect for each other. I think we all know what happened after that," Ullrich said in an interview with VTM at the cycling festival organized by the 51-year-old German in Bad Dürrheim.

Ullrich's life spiralled out of control after his forced retirement in 2007. Few years later, Lance Armstrong hit the rock-bottom as then 7-time Tour de France champion was completely banished from the cycling world. But in the end, it was the American who reached out with a helping hand towards his former rival when he was in the lowest point. "I think that brought us together. I had my personal life problems and Lance helped me a lot in that phase."

"I've also been to the United States several times. We exchanged ideas and a good friendship developed. It was a sign for me that someone who used to be my biggest competitor now came to see me. And that he showed interest in the person Jan Ullrich. That was a very big motivation for me, so that I got out of my vicious circle again and overcame all that."

Sir Bradley Wiggins' story doesn't concern dopping, but even the British knight went through many hardships that got the worst of the first British Tour winner and Olympic champion.

Ultimately, Wiggins received help from the same American corner as Ullrich before him. "He’s been one of my biggest supporters over the last twelve months. He inspired me to stop drinking and things like that. And to make sure I got my life on track. It’s been a gift from heaven."