LeMond launches attack on Armstrong
Greg LeMond believes Lance Armstrong was capable of a top-30 finish at best in the Tour de France with a level playing field.
Three-time Tour champion LeMond is the only American winner of the yellow jersey after Armstrong was stripped of seven titles for doping.
The 1986, 1989 and 1990 champion has for some time been one of Armstrong’s fiercest critics and did not hold back in an interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper, broadcast yesterday.
“I know his physical capabilities, he’s a top-30 (Tour finisher) at best no matter what,” LeMond told CNN.
“If he’s clean, everybody’s clean, he’s a top 30 at best. He’s not capable of winning the Tour, he’s not capable of the top five.”
LeMond also stressed his belief that Armstrong – banned for life following a United States Anti-Doping Agency investigation which uncovered the doping practices of the United States Postal Service team led by the Texan – should be imprisoned for his offences.
Armstrong, who finished first in the Tour from 1999 to 2005, is currently embroiled in a series of legal fights relating to his misdemeanours.
LeMond added: “I do, yeah. There are people who are criminals who just shouldn’t be able to participate again in anything.
“It’s like Bernie Madoff – should he be allowed to come in and be a part of Wall Street managing money? No, he shouldn’t.
“And that’s (the case) with Armstrong. He shouldn’t be allowed to be back in sport.”
