Feb 26, 2007
Jan Ullrich Retires
(pic from Yahoo News)
“I am ending my active career,” Ullrich said.
He criticized the way he had been treated by cycling officials in Germany and Switzerland and by the German media.
“I feel like a serious criminal although I have nothing to reproach myself,” he said.
Ullrich said he was still fit and had received offers from seven teams to race this season, but had decided to move on.
Jan Ullrich announced his retirement today at a press conference in Hamburg, Germany. Ullrich will now take on a new job as Media Consultant/Advisor for the Volksbank team.
Ullrich’s retirement comes despite having numerous opportunities to get back to racing this year.
“I could ride again immediately, I could get a license, I am fit, as fit as last year and could immediately have a team. I have seven offers, including ProTour teams.” –cyclingnews.com
Der Kaiser’s retirement comes after a year long battle with Operation Puerto allegations, the sacking from T-Mobile and the loss of his racing license. Although no solid evidence ever surfaced Ullrich was tried and convicted in the court of public opinion enough that he would be dealing with a great deal of scrutiny had he decided to return to racing. In his press conference Ullrich skirted by the issue of Operation Puerto.
While he emphasized, “I have never cheated,” he did not directly address the issue of doping and whether or not he had been involved with Dr. Eufemiano Fuentes. Since the beginning of Operación Puerto, Ullrich has denied any involvement with Fuentes.