Jan Ullrich

The Best There Never Was

By: Daniel Friebe

Narrated by: Mark Meadows

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 ten 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?

Critic reviews

Magnificent (Matt Dickinson, The Times)

A superlative biography as well as social and sporting history

One of the best books about cycling

One of the best cycling books there ever was. So well written and such deep research (Edward Pickering, editor of Rouleur and author of The Ronde: inside the World's Toughest Bike Race)

'Masterpiece' is arguably an over-used word, but if ever a book was deserving of such a description, this is probably it - The Washing Machine Post

A well-researched biography . . . painting a consistent picture of this all-too-human character from Rostock

Richly researched and sympathetically written . . . extensive, thoughtful

This biography peels back the layers of not just a legendary cyclist, but an interesting character (Joe Laverick)

A fascinating illustration of a richly gifted but deeply flawed character

Terrific . . . comprehensive (Best of 2022, Cycling Plus)

Incredible work and storytelling

If you are a cycling fan, this is your book. The levels of depth and color brought in for context are reminiscent of Hardcore History. Excellent book!

Fantastic Book

Written for posterity’s sake, this biography leaves few stones unturned. A must-read for serious cycling fans, especially those around in the ‘90s and ‘00s.

Great account and valuable insights of a (sport) hero and his era

This book offers a clear and documented perspective the Ullrich - Armstrong rivalry at the TDF. The author depicts the real personalities and motives of the actors, first and foremost Jan’s. As a young competitive cyclist and Triathlete amateur during the 90s I remember the excitement around pro cycling with Pantani, Ullrich and Armstrong, their raise to stardom and hard fall. The not so secret dirty cheating which had infected pro sports as well as the amateur‘s.

Incredible

Incredible writing, research, tale. What on earth can Friebe sink his teeth i to next? I can’t wait.

One of the best cycling books ever

This is a wonderful book not just about cycling but about Germany and it’s complex identity both post-WW2 and post-unification. The detail and the care taken by Friebe is fantastic given Ulrich’s difficult life on and off the bike.