Jan Ullrich

German Tour de France champion whose dominant 1997 victory and aggressive racing style made him the finest stage racer of his generation, though his career was later overshadowed by doping admissions.

Jan Ullrich was Germany's greatest cyclist, the 1997 Tour de France winner who was for several years the most talented stage racer in the world. His rivalry with Lance Armstrong produced some of the Tour's most compelling racing, though Armstrong's dominance ultimately prevailed. Despite his talent, Ullrich's battles with weight and discipline prevented him from realising his full potential. His involvement in the Operación Puerto doping scandal ultimately ended his career.