Altig on Ullrich, "I'm tired of his excuses"

Former World Champion and German cycling legend Rudi Altig, 68, says he is tired of Jan Ullrich's excuses for not doing better. "He earns €250,000 a month but doesn't give anything back to cycling." Altig noted that "Last year he won the Tour de Suisse, this year he lost it in the mountains and then they tell us, he is stronger than ever."

Furthermore, "Before the Time Trial, Jan said that he didn't have any more pain from his crash. Afterwards he said that it had affected him. I can't take that any more!"

Altig agreed with Eddy Merckx in doubting Ullrich's mental strength: "In his head he has to really want to beat Armstrong. Physically, he can do it. But I think Jan just doesn't enjoy his job enough anymore." He says that his criticism is meant to motivate Ullrich. "I like Jan. He can beat Armstrong. I want him to finally live up to his capabilities."

Courtesy of Susan Westemeyer