UCI chief Brian Cookson slams Lance Armstrong’s charity Tour de France return

Nick Purewal 03:33 18/03/2015
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  • Not welcome: Drug cheat Lance Armstrong (c) is to cycle Tour de France route.

    Cycling boss Brian Cookson has branded Lance Armstrong “completely disrespectful” for aiming to ride the Tour de France route this summer for charity.

    Cookson, president of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), suggested Armstrong “would be well advised not to take part” in former England footballer Geoff Thomas’ charity fundraising mission.

    Thomas has convinced shamed drugs cheat Armstrong to take part in his charity stunt, riding the Tour route one day ahead of the professional peloton.

    Cookson said the UCI has no authority to stop Amstrong’s bid, but urged the American, who has been stripped of his seven Tour de France titles, to think again.

    “I’m sure that Geoff Thomas means well, but frankly I think that’s completely inappropriate and disrespectful to the Tour, disrespectful to the current riders, and disrespectful to the UCI and the anti-doping community,” said Cookson. “I think Lance would be welladvised not to take part in that.”

    Armstrong in January complained he was prevented from even walking an organised marathon to raise funds for charity. From next summer, however, the World Anti-Doping Agency code (section 10.12.1) will permit the Texan to participate in sports other than cycling and triathlon. He was banned for life from those sports in August 2012.

    Cookson rejected the argument Armstrong should be handed some slack despite his life ban from cycling, even though his summer stunt ostensibly could raise big funds for charity.

    Speaking at the Sport Industry Breakfast Club in central London, Cookson said of Armstrong’s charity angle: “I’ve heard that reason rolled out throughout Lance A’s career as well.

    “I’m not critical of people trying to raise funds, let’s be clear. But I think maybe Lance could find a better way of continuing his fundraising efforts than this.”

    Meanwhile, Thomas has accepted the criticism over inviting Armstrong to join his Tour de France charity ride but insisted the shamed cyclist can help save lives.

    In a statement released on Twitter he wrote: “I understand some people will find it hard to accept Armstrong’s support but my take is a simple one. If Armstrong’s involvement in Le Tour – One Day Ahead and my goal to raise £1million (Dh5.42m) for blood cancer can help save one more life then surely that can only be a good thing.”

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