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.
'Magnificent' – Matt Dickinson, The Times
'A superlative biography as well as social and sporting history' – Observer
In 1997, Jan Ullrich announced himself to the world by obliterating his rivals at the Tour de France and becoming Germany's first ever winner. Everyone agreed: Jan Ullrich would dominate the future of cycling. But he never quite managed it.
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.
Acclaimed journalist Daniel Friebe takes us from the legacy of East Germany's drugs programme to the pinnacle of pro cycling and asks: what price are you willing to pay for immortality? The first biography of one of the most controversial champions of the Tour de France, Jan Ullrich, by acclaimed journalist Daniel Friebe. Daniel Friebe was born in Coventry in 1980. He is the author of Eddy Merckx: The Cannibal, Mountain High and Mountain Higher, and has collaborated with Mark Cavendish on Boy Racer, At Speed and Tour de Force. Since 2016 he has been part of ITV's Tour de France presentation team. He is also one of three co-hosts of the award-winning The Cycling Podcast. Daniel currently lives in Berlin.
"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
"A beautifully written, vivid portrait" -Scotsman, on Eddy Merckx: The Cannibal
"Well written and well researched" -Cycling World, on Eddy Merckx: The Cannibal
"A fascinating illustration of a richly gifted but deeply flawed character" -MSN Ireland
"Magnificent" -Matt Dickinson, The Times
"A superlative biography as well as social and sporting history" -Observer
"One of the best books about cycling" -Irish Times
"'Masterpiece' is arguably an over-used word, but if ever a book was deserving of such a description, this is probably it" -Washing Machine Post
"A well-researched biography . . . painting a consistent picture of this all-too-human character from Rostock" -Cycling Plus
"Richly researched and sympathetically written . . . extensive, thoughtful" -TLS
"This biography peels back the layers of not just a legendary cylist, but an interesting character" -Joe Laverick, Cycling Weekly
"Terrific . . . comprehensive" -Best of 2022, Cycling Plus
