Listen free for 30 days
-
Jan Ullrich
- The Best There Never Was
- Narrated by: Mark Meadows
- Length: 18 hrs and 39 mins
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wish list failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Buy Now for $21.83
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Publisher's Summary
Jan Ullrich: The Best There Never Was is the first biography of Jan Ullrich, arguably the most naturally talented cyclist of his generation, and also one of the most controversial champions of the Tour de France.
In 1997, Jan Ullrich announced himself to the world by obliterating his rivals in the first mountain stage of the Tour de France. So awesome was his display that it sent shockwaves throughout the world of cycling and invited headlines such as L’Équipe’s ‘The New Giant’. He went on to become Germany’s first ever Tour winner, storming to victory in that edition by almost 10 minutes, a result that was greeted as an era-defining changing of the guard. Everyone agreed: Jan Ullrich was the future of cycling. He was soon also voted Germany’s most popular sportsperson of all time, and his rivalry with Lance Armstrong defined the most controversial years of the Tour de France.
Now, Daniel Friebe–who has covered twenty-one editions of the Tour de France–has gone in search of the man who was said in 1997 would go on to dominate his sport for a generation, but never quite managed it.
Just what did happen to the best who never was?
This is a gripping account of how unbearable expectation, mental and physical fragility, the effects of a complicated childhood, a morally corrupt sport and one individual–Lance Armstrong–can conspire to reroute destiny.
Daniel Friebe takes us from the legacy of East Germany’s drugs programme to the pinnacle of pro cycling and asks: what price can you give sporting immortality?
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
You may also enjoy...
-
The Midlife Cyclist
- The Road Map for the +40 Rider Who Wants to Train Hard, Ride Fast and Stay Healthy
- Written by: Phil Cavell
- Narrated by: Phil Cavell
- Length: 9 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Renowned cycling biomechanics pioneer Phil Cavell explores the growing trend of middle-aged and older cyclists seeking to achieve high-level performance. Using contributions from leading coaches, ex-professionals and pro-team doctors, he produces the ultimate manifesto for mature riders who want to stay healthy, avoid injury - and maximise their achievement levels.
-
-
Excellent
- By Jeff Surtees on 2023-10-05
Written by: Phil Cavell
-
The Tour According to G
- My Journey to the Yellow Jersey
- Written by: Geraint Thomas
- Narrated by: Dafydd Pritchard
- Length: 6 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For years, Geraint Thomas appeared blessed with extraordinary talent but jinxed at the greatest bike race in the world: twice Olympic gold medalist on the track, Commonwealth champion, yet at the Tour de France a victim of crashes, bad luck, and his willingness to sacrifice himself for his teammates. In the summer of 2018, that curse was blown away in spectacular fashion.
-
-
Great story of a great cyclist
- By Cycliste3xl on 2022-09-22
Written by: Geraint Thomas
-
Wheelmen
- Lance Armstrong, the Tour de France, and the Greatest Sports Conspiracy Ever
- Written by: Reed Albergotti, Vanessa O'Connell
- Narrated by: Santino Fontana
- Length: 12 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The first in-depth look at Lance Armstrong's doping scandal, the phenomenal business success built on the back of fraud, and the greatest conspiracy in the history of sports. Lance Armstrong won a record-smashing seven Tours de France after staring down cancer, and in the process became an international symbol of resilience and courage. In a sport constantly dogged by blood-doping scandals, he seemed above the fray. Then, in January 2013, the legend imploded. He admitted doping during the Tours and, in an interview with Oprah, described his "mythic, perfect story" as "one big lie."
-
-
Fascinating
- By Carlos Osorio on 2024-11-14
Written by: Reed Albergotti, and others
-
The Secret Cyclist
- Real Life as a Rider in the Professional Peloton
- Written by: The Secret Cyclist
- Narrated by: Ben Eagle
- Length: 6 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
He's ridden for World Tour teams for 10 years. He's achieved top 10 finishes in Grand Tours. He likes coffee. These are just a few details about the professional rider who wants you to know what the view looks like from the centre of the peloton. What do the riders really make of Team Sky? How does the pay structure work? Why should you never trust a kit endorsement from a professional? Is doping still an issue? The Secret Cyclist tackles the big questions head-on, revealing a side to cycling that fans have never seen before.
-
-
Scattered. Anonymous. Opinionated
- By Chris C. on 2023-12-21
Written by: The Secret Cyclist
-
The Secret Race
- Inside the Hidden World of the Tour de France: Doping, Cover-ups, and Winning at All Costs
- Written by: Tyler Hamilton, Daniel Coyle
- Narrated by: Sean Runnette
- Length: 11 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Here is an explosive book that takes us, for the first time, deep inside a shadowy, fascinating, and surreal world of unscrupulous doctors, anything-goes team directors, and athletes so relentlessly driven to succeed that they would do anything—and take any risk, physical, mental, or moral—to gain the edge they needed to win. The Secret Race is a riveting, courageous act of witness from a man who is as determined to reveal the hard truth about his sport as he once was to win the Tour de France.
-
-
Great detail, really paints an image of what happened
- By Shianne Reimer on 2023-12-31
Written by: Tyler Hamilton, and others
-
The Monuments (2nd Edition)
- The Grit and the Glory of Cycling's Greatest One-Day Races
- Written by: Peter Cossins
- Narrated by: Nathaniel Priestley
- Length: 14 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Tour de France may provide the most obvious fame and glory, but it is cycling’s one-day tests that the professional riders really prize. Toughest, longest and dirtiest of all are the so-called ‘Monuments’, the five legendary races that are the sport’s equivalent of golf’s majors or the grand slams in tennis. Milan–Sanremo, the Tour of Flanders, Paris–Roubaix, Liège–Bastogne–Liège and the Tour of Lombardy date back more than a century, and each of them is an anomaly in modern-day sport. Peter Cossins tells the history of these extraordinary races and the riders they have immortalised.
-
-
Excellent storied
- By Cycliste3xl on 2023-06-10
Written by: Peter Cossins
-
The Midlife Cyclist
- The Road Map for the +40 Rider Who Wants to Train Hard, Ride Fast and Stay Healthy
- Written by: Phil Cavell
- Narrated by: Phil Cavell
- Length: 9 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Renowned cycling biomechanics pioneer Phil Cavell explores the growing trend of middle-aged and older cyclists seeking to achieve high-level performance. Using contributions from leading coaches, ex-professionals and pro-team doctors, he produces the ultimate manifesto for mature riders who want to stay healthy, avoid injury - and maximise their achievement levels.
-
-
Excellent
- By Jeff Surtees on 2023-10-05
Written by: Phil Cavell
-
The Tour According to G
- My Journey to the Yellow Jersey
- Written by: Geraint Thomas
- Narrated by: Dafydd Pritchard
- Length: 6 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For years, Geraint Thomas appeared blessed with extraordinary talent but jinxed at the greatest bike race in the world: twice Olympic gold medalist on the track, Commonwealth champion, yet at the Tour de France a victim of crashes, bad luck, and his willingness to sacrifice himself for his teammates. In the summer of 2018, that curse was blown away in spectacular fashion.
-
-
Great story of a great cyclist
- By Cycliste3xl on 2022-09-22
Written by: Geraint Thomas
-
Wheelmen
- Lance Armstrong, the Tour de France, and the Greatest Sports Conspiracy Ever
- Written by: Reed Albergotti, Vanessa O'Connell
- Narrated by: Santino Fontana
- Length: 12 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The first in-depth look at Lance Armstrong's doping scandal, the phenomenal business success built on the back of fraud, and the greatest conspiracy in the history of sports. Lance Armstrong won a record-smashing seven Tours de France after staring down cancer, and in the process became an international symbol of resilience and courage. In a sport constantly dogged by blood-doping scandals, he seemed above the fray. Then, in January 2013, the legend imploded. He admitted doping during the Tours and, in an interview with Oprah, described his "mythic, perfect story" as "one big lie."
-
-
Fascinating
- By Carlos Osorio on 2024-11-14
Written by: Reed Albergotti, and others
-
The Secret Cyclist
- Real Life as a Rider in the Professional Peloton
- Written by: The Secret Cyclist
- Narrated by: Ben Eagle
- Length: 6 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
He's ridden for World Tour teams for 10 years. He's achieved top 10 finishes in Grand Tours. He likes coffee. These are just a few details about the professional rider who wants you to know what the view looks like from the centre of the peloton. What do the riders really make of Team Sky? How does the pay structure work? Why should you never trust a kit endorsement from a professional? Is doping still an issue? The Secret Cyclist tackles the big questions head-on, revealing a side to cycling that fans have never seen before.
-
-
Scattered. Anonymous. Opinionated
- By Chris C. on 2023-12-21
Written by: The Secret Cyclist
-
The Secret Race
- Inside the Hidden World of the Tour de France: Doping, Cover-ups, and Winning at All Costs
- Written by: Tyler Hamilton, Daniel Coyle
- Narrated by: Sean Runnette
- Length: 11 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Here is an explosive book that takes us, for the first time, deep inside a shadowy, fascinating, and surreal world of unscrupulous doctors, anything-goes team directors, and athletes so relentlessly driven to succeed that they would do anything—and take any risk, physical, mental, or moral—to gain the edge they needed to win. The Secret Race is a riveting, courageous act of witness from a man who is as determined to reveal the hard truth about his sport as he once was to win the Tour de France.
-
-
Great detail, really paints an image of what happened
- By Shianne Reimer on 2023-12-31
Written by: Tyler Hamilton, and others
-
The Monuments (2nd Edition)
- The Grit and the Glory of Cycling's Greatest One-Day Races
- Written by: Peter Cossins
- Narrated by: Nathaniel Priestley
- Length: 14 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Tour de France may provide the most obvious fame and glory, but it is cycling’s one-day tests that the professional riders really prize. Toughest, longest and dirtiest of all are the so-called ‘Monuments’, the five legendary races that are the sport’s equivalent of golf’s majors or the grand slams in tennis. Milan–Sanremo, the Tour of Flanders, Paris–Roubaix, Liège–Bastogne–Liège and the Tour of Lombardy date back more than a century, and each of them is an anomaly in modern-day sport. Peter Cossins tells the history of these extraordinary races and the riders they have immortalised.
-
-
Excellent storied
- By Cycliste3xl on 2023-06-10
Written by: Peter Cossins
-
The Death of Marco Pantani
- A Biography
- Written by: Matt Rendell
- Narrated by: Matt Rendell
- Length: 15 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
On Valentine's day 2004, Marco Pantani was found dead in a cheap hotel. It defied belief: Pantani, having won the rare double of the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France in 1998, was regarded as the only cyclist capable of challenging Lance Armstrong's dominance. Only later did it emerge that Pantani had been addicted to cocaine since 1999. Drawing on his personal encounters with Pantani, as well as exclusive access to his psychoanalysts, and interviews with his family and friends, Matt Rendell has produced the definitive account of an iconic sporting figure.
Written by: Matt Rendell
-
One Man and His Bike
- Written by: Mike Carter
- Narrated by: Mike Carter
- Length: 13 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
What would happen if you were cycling to the office and just kept on pedalling? Needing a change, Mike Carter did just that. Following the Thames to the sea he embarked on an epic 5,000-mile ride around the entire British coastline—the equivalent of London to Calcutta. He encountered drunken priests, drag queens and gnome sanctuaries. He met fellow travellers and people building for a different type of future. He also found a spirit of unbelievable kindness and generosity that convinced him that Britain is anything but broken.
-
-
Excellent and Inspiring
- By Michelle Emson on 2024-07-18
Written by: Mike Carter
-
Draft Animals
- Living the Pro Cycling Dream (Once in a While)
- Written by: Phil Gaimon
- Narrated by: Phil Gaimon
- Length: 7 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Like countless other kids, Phil Gaimon grew up dreaming of being a professional athlete. But unlike countless other kids, he actually pulled it off. After years of amateur races, hard training, living out of a suitcase, and never taking "no" for an answer, he finally achieved his goal and signed a contract to race professionally on one of the best teams in the world. Now, Gaimon pulls back the curtain on the WorldTour, cycling's highest level.
-
-
great racing perspective
- By TreatFactory on 2018-09-01
Written by: Phil Gaimon
-
One-Way Ticket
- Nine Lives on Two Wheels
- Written by: Jonathan Vaughters, Jeremy Whittle - contributor
- Narrated by: Jonathan Vaughters
- Length: 10 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jonathan Vaughters' story is the story of modern cycling. From his early years as a keen cyclist in his hometown in Colorado to his unflinching rite of passage as a professional rider with US Postal to his elevation as one of cycling's most resilient, ethical, and intelligent team bosses, the highs and lows of his career have mirrored those of the sport itself.
-
-
Excellent
- By Cycliste3xl on 2023-06-11
Written by: Jonathan Vaughters, and others
-
Descent
- My Epic Fall from Cycling Superstardom to Doping Dead End
- Written by: Thomas Dekker, Thijs Zonneveld
- Narrated by: Liam Gerrard
- Length: 5 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
At age 20, Thomas Dekker was already earning €100,000 a year - as an amateur bike racer. The next year, he turned pro and his salary quadrupled then rose again to €900,000 as he established his position as a super-domestique among Europe's wealthiest superteams. The sport world marveled at Dekker's rise as the young racer set his ambitions on capturing cycling's biggest prizes for himself. Before long, though, Dekker found himself corrupted by money, dazzled by fame, and cracking under the relentless pressure to perform at a superhuman level.
-
-
Frank and honest
- By Roberta W on 2024-05-17
Written by: Thomas Dekker, and others
-
Sticky Bottle
- The Cycling Year According to Carlton Kirby
- Written by: Carlton Kirby
- Narrated by: Carlton Kirby
- Length: 7 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A true cycling nut would be hard pushed to name all 36 races in just a ‘normal’ UCI World Tour. But there are so many more: 375 on the European Tour alone and many more on the America Tour (80), the Asia Tour (65), and the Africa Tour (45). It’s a year-long schedule, most of it unfamiliar. They may be amazing, they may be odd, but all have their place in the Sticky Bottle calendar. Big races and small ones find a place in Sticky Bottle as well as the relatively unknown. Here are personal and historical tales of cycling wonder and woe, plus a healthy smattering of the bizarre.
Written by: Carlton Kirby
What listeners say about Jan Ullrich
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 2023-06-27
Excellent and in depth
This was a fantastic book covering the supercharged Era of cycling and one man's struggle within it. Highly recommended.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!