Ullrich won't follow Armstrong out of retirement

When Lance Armstrong was winning his seven consecutive Tour de France titles, seemingly every year the easygoing Jan Ullrich was a co-favorite. Until somehow, in some stage, Armstrong would blow by the German cyclist on some massive mountain climb. Or Ullrich would fall in the rain in a time trial. Or something.

After Armstrong retired, Ullrich was almost universally granted status as the new peloton leader, but instead, Ullrich got caught up in the doping scandals and retired in disgrace.

In an interview with VeloNews, Ullrich says he would not be surprised if Armstrong won the Tour again after his return from three years in retirement. And, no, Ullrich is not planning his own comeback so that he can finish second to Armstrong again.

-- Diane Pucin

Photo: German cyclist Jan Ullrich rides in the 10th stage of the 92nd Tour de France between Grenoble and Courchevel on July 12, 2005. Credit: Joel Saget / AFP/Getty Images