Ullrich attacks Pantani - Tour 1998 stage 16

[UnivegaSuperSport]

I don't think it's my imagination when I see Pantani flick his elbow at least three times at 13:47, indicating for Ulrich to come through for the win.

[FranKaiserJan]

@UnivegaSuperSport You're right! I haven't seen this detail before. Probably during the race they decided to let Ullrich win but they didn't want show it.

[UnivegaSuperSport]

@FranKaiserJan I'm sure you're aware, but for those who aren't familiar-this is a regular thing in pro cycling when the circumstances allow. When neither could lose the other, Ulrich is obliged to do the work to at least gain time on Julich who was left behind and in 3rd place overall. Jan and Marco ride together and since Jan did most of the work, he gets the reward of the win. It isn't cheating, isn't "giving up", gambling related, or a patronizing gesture.

[markyboy28able99]

Jan Ullrich is like a machine. So powerful riding.

[SuperWeng10]

Ulrich is physically stronger he can time trail, can sprint and can do short climbs whereas Pantani is a pure climber some commentators even called Pantani The Human Dynamo..

Considering Pantani is only passenger behind Ulrich at that time, they have exceptional but different abilities..

[2020genetics]

What's the background song, Anyone? I like that sound.

[FranKaiserJan]

@2020genetics sorry but I don't know.

[oldtwins]

Great ride by Ullrich, really shows his all-round power being a far superior sprinter as he powered on even after being in the wind for so long. Pantani, despite fresher legs, could not match him.

[TheSHAD0W93]

@LittleGodofGods His only problem was when winter came along.

[LittleGodOfGods]

Ullrichs only problem during his career was from Austin, TX

[davd1986]

@LittleGodOfGods With all due respect to Lance, and BTW, Lance was another hugely talented bike rider when he was coming up, and was as highly regarded as Ullrich was, but Jan's problem was he didn't train as much and/or or as hard as he needed to, to be prepared to win in France. The year he best prepared for the tour was the year he won his first and only tour, 1997. Go figure. He also had some hard luck before a couple tours, some injuries, so that's never good.

[carodan190466]

bravo jann bien essayé. Mais comme Marco était aussi bon descendeur que grimpeur, t' avais aucune chance!

[uwemguflrofl]

ullrich hatte einfach das talent mit 500 watt so auf die pedalen zu drücken, das er locker das feld zersprengte..leider hatte er zuwenig davon gebrauch machen können, aus gewissen umständen..

bestes beispiel sein sieg bei rund um köln, als er im flachen einfach mal draufdrückte und keiner mehr folgen konnte..

[xellossaxon]

Finest attack ever!! Even Pantani with problems. Who cares about tactics?! Just put out 500 Watts and see how the field is flying apart. :-)

[pjsteen666]

500 watts in combination with vast amounts of EPO. Pantani weighed 2/3 of Ullrich and was normally the better climber. And was propably also on EPO. After looking back on it, it gives me a bad feeling, cycling today is cleaner then it was back then.

[FranKaiserJan]

@pjsteen666 Bad consideration! Doping don't trasform a weak cyclist in a champion! Ullrich and Pantani were very strong also without doping otherwise everybody could doing what they do. I'm sorry that the talk always finishes with that considerations!

[bobichjulich]

Vaya talla, Pantani e Ullrich...mucha calidad junta, dos maneras muy diferentes de correr, pero ambas espectaculares, que dominio demostraron en la etapa. la potencia de ullrich, frente a todo poderoso escalador Marco Pantani...

[Zalkman1]

Great video! :)