
Jan Ullrich's career is far from being over. Well, that is if the Spanish Court will give him a "not guilty" verdict in the weeks to come. Being that we're pretty optimistic about it, the German rider will be able to pursue his dream as a cyclist. That is to win a Tour de France before his retirement. Soon after T-Mobile decided to fire both him and teammate Oscar Sevilla, the 1997 Tour winner still believes that he can prove his innocence and wants to end his career with a Champs Elysees "yellow jersey".
"I have always said I will finish with a
Tour victory. Unfortunately, this year I was prevented from doing so. That's why I will try to add another year", said Ullrich after meeting with the T-Mobile officials earlier yesterday. The German refused to contest his former team's decision and wants to get on with his professional life. And his road might come across Lance Armstrong's once again.
This time, the two former rivals might work together at Discovery Channel team. Being that both Landis and Ullrich are wanted by the 7-times Tour de France winner with his new team is a proof that Lance means business for the next edition of Le Tour. If the American already made public his wish to sign Floyd Landis this year, the Ullrich allegations came only after the German was sacked by T-Mobile.
Actually, Lance always had good words to say about his former Tour de France rival and praised him as the next Grand Boucle winner earlier this year. Still, after Basso's performance in Il Giro, the American changed his opinion, but only because Ullrich was not fully fit - he was coming after a serious injury that kept him out of cycling for more than 3 months. Once Ullrich is no longer a T-Mobile rider, it would be pretty easy to sign him for the next season. Of course, if the German wins the Tour, Lance will have to find a new replacement for him, since Ullrich stated that his next Grand Boucle win means retirement.
Discovery Channel team managed one of its poorest performances in its history, with Jose Azevedo - their best rider - finishing 19th after the 3-week race. That's why Armstrong is determined to help his team win another Tour as soon as possible.