Jan Ullrich Returns to Tour de France as Spectator

Twenty years after being barred from the Tour de France for his links to doping doctor Eufemiano Fuentes, former German champion Jan Ullrich attended the race as a fan. Speaking to ARD during an early‑stage ride in the Vosges, Ullrich said he was "extremely happy" to be at his first visit as a spectator. The ban was lifted after his extensive doping confession, and he was joined by his sons, receiving cheers from German supporters along the route. Ullrich reflected on the personal toll of his past, including years of depression, and noted that recent anti‑doping controls are stricter and penalties higher. He added that he would like to race again as a professional cyclist, citing modern equipment and training advances.

Ullrich also mentioned his 2023 documentary and a 2024 book that address his doping history, describing the era as "a dark period" and expressing hope that the sport has learned from those mistakes.