Do you agree with Greg Lemond's accusations of Landis and Armstrong?

Question

Greg LeMond urges Landis to speak truth about doping charges

July 29, 2006

Floyd Landis news conference

PARIS (AP) -- Three-time Tour de France champion Greg LeMond says the doping charges against fellow American Floyd Landis could be "what cycling has needed for many years" in order to discourage cheating.

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"If he is confirmed positive, I hope he has the courage to tell the truth," LeMond said in an interview with French weekly Le Journal du Dimanche released on Saturday. "He alone can change the face of the sport today. His example could be a symbol of change."

In a veiled reference to seven-time winner Lance Armstrong, long dogged by doping allegations, LeMond added: "I hope that (Landis) won't do what another American did: Deny, deny, deny."

LeMond, who won cycling's premier event in 1986, '89 and '90, urged a mass crackdown on doping, involving all cycling regulatory bodies, governments and health ministries. He suggested an amnesty for riders who speak out about doping, and punishing entire teams if a single rider was found to have used banned substances.

"Testing, we will never do enough of it," he said, urging the International Cycling Union -- which he has criticized as corrupt -- to take a more aggressive stance on doping.

Landis' victory ride into Paris last Sunday after a stunning comeback renewed enthusiasm for the sport -- but just days later, his title was in doubt after a French lab reported a testosterone imbalance in one of his urine tests. Landis has said his body's natural metabolism was to blame and demanded backup tests.

The news rocked the cycling world, already under a cloud following a massive doping investigation in Spain which forced several of the world's leading cyclists off the Tour.

"I know Floyd, he's a good guy, he comes from a good family. If all this is proven, it will be a part of the tragedy that crosses this sport: Even good people are obliged to deceive," LeMond told Le Journal du Dimanche.

"It is cycling as a professional sport that represents the problem. It can transform someone into a liar."

Answer 1

Lemond was a great rider and has a right to his opinion. I don't think he made an accusation, but rather urged honesty if Landis' test fails.

Lemond still ranks as one of my favorite riders. He was a pioneer in the tour and may have come back for another win had there not been a hunting accident.

If there's any condemnation of anything, it's aimed at professional cycling.

Answer 2

First off, I am not sure that LeMond accused Landis of anything. He merely stated a hope that if Landis' second test came up positive and evidence showed it was the result of performance enhancing drugs or doping that Landis would come forward and be honest for the good of the sport. In regards to Armstrong, he didn't say anything directly at this point. There is no concrete evidence that Armstrong did anything unethical so I cannot agree with the veiled accusation. To those who would put down LeMond for stating an opinion, remember that he was a great rider in his generation and that other veteran athletes have also had difficulty being beyond the limelight. Witness Ty Cobb for example. It is not wrong for LeMond to be discouraged about the direction the sport seems to be headed. All of the leading contenders for the Tour de France were either implicated by Operacion Puerto or unable to race because so many members of their team were, (Vinokourov). It is as if in the NFL that the ten best quarterbacks were all accused of juicing and forced not to compete, (except that the rules in the NFL make it so the mere accusation is not enough). That the Tour was so competitive saved it from being a what coulda been affair. As to LeMond having ulterior motives, doesn't everyone, (Armstrong wants to talk to people about cancer and make money for his organization, Ullrich has bicycle frames to sell).

Answer 3

LeMond is just pissed off that nobody talks about him anymore (being an idiot and shooting himself in the stomach while hunting, then winning the Tour). People would rather talk about Lance coming back from cancer. This is the only way he can get publicity, so he does it.

Answer 4

Greg Lemond should change his nationality to French (or has he already?). No victories are as pure and good as his victories (just ask him...he'll tell you). Of course he's entitled to his opinion, but so am I, and I wouldn't rank him in the top 10 Tour winners.

Answer 5

In seven years of accusations, there has never been one single confirmed positive on Lance Armstrong. Landis, we'll have to wait and see what happened with that.

Answer 6

LeMond is jealous - Lance could kick his a$$ riding a tricycle

Answer 7

Wow, sounds like a man who speaks his true thoughts and doesn't sugarcoat words out of nationalism or cave in to being bullyed by so-called 'patriotism'. Yes, many folks in USA won't like this because it goes against that neocon mindset of "I'm right, you're wrong no matter what."

Answer 8

I don't believe anything Lemond or his wife say

Answer 9

greg lemond is a worthless piece of $hit.

Answer 10

I totally agree.