Tour de France history: On July 20.07.2004th, XNUMX there was a moderate cycling crisis in Germany. When Jan Ullrich attacked, Jens Voigt had to hunt him down. Completely legitimate, because they drove in different teams. What followed was a hunt – not legitimate.
Ullrich puts everything on one card
The year is 2004. The Tour de France also started in Liège back then. Got back to Team T-Mobile, that was true Jan Ulrich again as one of the most promising challengers of Lance Armstrong. The Texan has won the past five events and, with his sixth win in 2004, was aiming to become the sole record holder. And things were looking good for him, because after 14 stages Jan Ullrich was almost seven minutes behind, also due to a cold and therefore bad results in the Pyrenees. In his teammates Andreas Kloden and the Italian Iván Basso however, from Team CSC, Lance Armstrong found new challengers. On the 15th stage, however, Team T-Mobile tried again with an attack by Jan Ullrich. The then 30-year-old attacked early on the 180,5-kilometre stage from Valréas to Villard-de-Lans in order to be able to gain the largest possible lead.
Riis calls Voigt back for Basso
The same day was Jens Voigt – Ivan Basso's teammate – represented in a breakaway group. Since the attack of Jan Ulrich was also an attack on the Tour podium, Team CSC had to react. lance Armstrong had helpers with him, but the Texan saw no need to catch Jan Ullrich again. After all, his lead over the Germans was reassuring. So met CSC team boss Bjarne riis a decision. Jens Voigt had to drop back to his captain Iván Basso to support. Said and done. Jens Voigt harnessed himself to the front of the group and began the chase. It was successful because the gap could be closed. The stage win went to Lance Armstrong ahead of Ivan Basso. The top four riders – Armstrong, Klöden, Basso and Ullrich – were separated by just six seconds on this stage.
German fans see the culprit in Voigt
Although Jens Voigt did a great job, the next day he felt the displeasure of the German fans. ARD commentator Hagen Bossdorf criticized the Berliner during the live broadcast for Jan Ulrich to follow. Jens Voigt was insulted in the mountain time trial to Alpe d'Huez. German viewers saw him as a traitor. Surprising, because a cycling fan should be able to understand the usefulness of the follow-up work just as much as the need for loyalty. Ultimately, it was up to Team CSC to defend their place on the podium. Landed at the end of the Tour de France Iván Basso in third place, 2:10 minutes ahead of Jan Ullrich. If Jens Voigt hadn't followed Jan Ullrich on the 15th stage and he had arrived more than 2:10 minutes ahead of Ivan Basso, Team CSC would have lost the podium place to Jan Ullrich.
Jan Ullrich:
"It can't be that Jens is being hunted down like that. I almost cried when I found out what happened to Jens. He's been a great buddy for years and he's done the right thing."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEJr8SH-6tQ