A Close Call for Bicycling Legend, Jan Ullrich
The Unfortunate Incident
Unseen by the motorist - I was not spotted by the driver
Former Tour de France champion, Jan Ullrich (51), found himself in a harrowing situation on a seemingly ordinary training ride. The ex-cyclist suffered a severe accident in his hometown of Merdingen, Baden-Württemberg, spurred by a driver who failed to yield. As a result, Ullrich ended up in the hospital. In an exclusive recollection on his podcast "Ulle & Rick" (alongside Rick Zabel), the former star shared the terrifying details of the crash.
"I decided to go for another loop, just to loosen up my legs," Ullrich revealed about that fateful day. "I was pedaling down the main street close to home - a driver making a turn didn't see me, collided into me head-on from the left side."
An Instant Life-Changer
The crash occurred at approximately 25 to 30 km/h. "You try to brace yourself - the next thing I knew, I was lying on the ground," Ullrich recalled. Witnesses from nearby homes rushed to his aid, while the oblivious driver also appeared to be in shock.
Perhaps the most dramatic part of the story unfolded when Ullrich's girlfriend, Elizabeth (41), happened to pass by the accident scene just minutes later and encountered a startling sight. The two first met in 2018 on Mallorca.
Broken Bones, Cautious Healing, and Valiant Spirit
The doctors' prognosis is grim: a fractured collarbone that required surgery on Monday, multiple broken ribs, and a collapsed lung. Initially, the lung's state caused concern among medical professionals, but thanks to timely treatment, Ullrich reported on Wednesday from his hospital bed in Freiburg that "everything is okay now."
Naturally, Ullrich is experiencing intense pain, a struggle compounded by his personal history with drug use which hit a nadir in 2018. In the podcast discussion with Rick Zabel (31), Ullrich addressed the topic of medication, saying, "Drug use and painkillers have been discussed, and they're being conscious about the dosage."
Cycling Festival Goes On
Despite his critical condition, Ullrich has announced that the "Jan Ullrich Cycling Festival" in Bad Dürrheim, Baden-Württemberg, slated for the coming weekend (17/18 May), will proceed as planned. Former rival Lance Armstrong (53) will participate, although Ullrich himself will be absent from the bike.
- Jan Ullrich
- Bicycle Accident
- Lance Armstrong
- Rick Zabel
- Germany
- Tour de France
- Merdingen
- Baden-Württemberg
In cases where there are developments in Jan Ullrich's health, I'm here to help you stay informed by tracking official statements or news updates.
- "Speaking on his podcast 'Ulle & Rick', Jan Ullrich expressed his concerns about his ongoing recovery from the severe bicycle accident he experienced in Merdingen, Baden-Württemberg, as he discussed his broken collarbone, multiple broken ribs, and a collapsed lung."
- "Although Jan Ullrich announced that the 'Jan Ullrich Cycling Festival' in Bad Dürrheim, Baden-Württemberg, will proceed as planned, it was mentioned that Lance Armstrong will participate, and not Jan Ullrich himself due to his recent accident and recovery."
