LeMond calls on cycling chiefs to quit
Source: Agencies |
October 26, 2012, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
THREE-TIME Tour de France winner Greg LeMond has urged the leaders of cycling's governing body to resign in the wake of the Lance Armstrong doping affair, calling them "the corrupt part of the sport."
LeMond posted an open letter on his Facebook page that asked those who care about cycling to join him in telling International Cycling Union President Pat McQuaid and honorary president Hein Verbruggen to step down.
LeMond's letter came after the UCI stripped Armstrong of his seven Tour de France titles and banned him for life on Monday for his involvement in what is described as a massive doping program.
Verbruggen led world cycling from 1991-2005, the era when Armstrong won his titles, and still sits on the UCI board. He is still perceived in the sport as a mentor to McQuaid, who succeeded him.
LeMond, the Tour winner in 1986, '89 and '90, said the problem for cycling is not drugs but corruption. The only American remaining on the 99-year Tour list of champions told McQuaid: "Pat in my opinion you and Hein are the corrupt part of the sport."
McQuaid, an Irishman whose second term as UCI president expires in September, has said he had no intention of resigning over the systematic drug scandals that have ruined the sport's credibility.
"I believe that there are many, maybe most that work at the UCI that are dedicated to cycling, they do it out of the love of the sport, but you and your buddy Hein have destroyed the sport," LeMond said.
"You know dam well what has been going on in cycling, and if you want to deny it, then even more reasons why those who love cycling need to demand that you resign."
LeMond posted an open letter on his Facebook page that asked those who care about cycling to join him in telling International Cycling Union President Pat McQuaid and honorary president Hein Verbruggen to step down.
LeMond's letter came after the UCI stripped Armstrong of his seven Tour de France titles and banned him for life on Monday for his involvement in what is described as a massive doping program.
Verbruggen led world cycling from 1991-2005, the era when Armstrong won his titles, and still sits on the UCI board. He is still perceived in the sport as a mentor to McQuaid, who succeeded him.
LeMond, the Tour winner in 1986, '89 and '90, said the problem for cycling is not drugs but corruption. The only American remaining on the 99-year Tour list of champions told McQuaid: "Pat in my opinion you and Hein are the corrupt part of the sport."
McQuaid, an Irishman whose second term as UCI president expires in September, has said he had no intention of resigning over the systematic drug scandals that have ruined the sport's credibility.
"I believe that there are many, maybe most that work at the UCI that are dedicated to cycling, they do it out of the love of the sport, but you and your buddy Hein have destroyed the sport," LeMond said.
"You know dam well what has been going on in cycling, and if you want to deny it, then even more reasons why those who love cycling need to demand that you resign."
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