German Tour de France hopeful Jan Ullrich said Wednesday that he wouldgo "through the pain barrier" to ensure he is in top condition for theTour start on July 1.A knee injury forced T-Mobile captain Ullrich to postpone his startto the season but the German rider is taking part in the Tour of Romandiein Switzerland, which began on Tuesday, and hopes to get back to his bestover the next two months."The motivation is there but the form is not. But I am glad to be backand free of my knee problems," Ullrich said at his training camp on Wednesday."I have a lot of ground to make up but I have confidence in myself. I amnot in bad shape and have a lot of kilometres left in these legs."I know that I have started late but my strength has always been myability to get fit quickly," he added. "I will go through the pain barriernow. There are a few weeks left until the Tour and I am optimistic thatit will all come together."The 32-year-old Ullrich won the 1997 Tour but has finished runner-upfive times and feels he has a score to settle."I still have something to prove to myself," admitted Ullrich. "I wantto win a second Tour and I am totally motivated to do just that."With seven-time Tour winner Lance Armstrong now in retirement Ullrichmay never have a better chance. Following the Tour of Romandie, Ullrichis due to tune up for the July showpiece by riding the Tour of Italy inMay, although he claims he is not interested in overall victory.Kirsipuu to return in May
Four-time Tour de France stage winner Jaan Kirsipuu of Estoniais due to make his competitive return to cycling at the Tour of Picardiein May, his French team Credit Agricole said Wednesday.The 36-year-old veteran has been out of action since suffering a heelinjury in a crash at the Tirreno-Adriatico Pro Tour race in mid-March.