He had won the Tour in 1997 and took the yellow jersey half-way through the 1998 edition, but remained on his Telekom team-issue pink, white, and black bike. Giro d'Italia champion Marco Pantani then turned the race on its head in the Alps and took the yellow jersey to Paris.
The bike was never given its day in the sun but stands out with its yellow paint-job and bar tape, along with a Jan Ullrich nameplate on the top tube and a penned signature on the stem. The bike comes with Campagnolo groupset along with carbon wheels from the Italian company.
"I am now auctioning off a special bike from my career to benefit the 'A Heart for Children' campaign, which equips aid transports and supports sick children and orphans in the Ukraine," Ullrich said when first placing the bike up for auction.
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"Please help with your bid to alleviate at least a little the suffering and hardship in Ukraine."
Ullrich is not the only former pro cyclist to auction off personal items to help with the relief efforts in Ukraine. Fellow German Tony Martin has put his silver medal from the 2012 Olympics up for grabs, with the bidding to close on Saturday April 9 and the top offer standing at above €25,000.
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