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| Thursday, August 2 Updated: August 14, 7:40 PM ET |
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| Armstrong upset with LeMond's comments Associated Press | |||
NEW YORK -- Surprised and upset, Lance Armstrong picked up
the phone and called Greg LeMond when he saw the comments.
"Greg, you're one of my heroes and I wouldn't be here without
you and I was surprised to see that," Armstrong said Thursday,
recalling his conversation.
LeMond's remarks were hardly ringing endorsements by one
American Tour de France champion for another, by someone who has
won the race three times for someone who has won it three times in
a row.
LeMond has a problem with Armstrong's association with the
Italian doctor, Michele Ferrari, linked to drug use in sports -- and
he said so.
LeMond told the Guardian, a London newspaper, "In the light of
Lance's relationship with Ferrari, I just don't want to comment on
this year's Tour. This is not sour grapes. I'm just disappointed in
Lance."
Armstrong has defended his ties to Ferrari, whose name has been
linked to the drug EPO. However, Armstrong said he would
"re-evaluate" his relationship if the physician is found guilty
of wrongdoing in a drug inquiry under way in Italy.
"I was upset, I was surprised more than anything," Armstrong
said, referring to LeMond's remarks.
There was no apology, he said.
Asked if he though LeMond was bitter, Armstrong said, "I don't
know."
The Texan, whose body was ravaged by testicular cancer, has
never tested positive for any banned substances and said Ferrari
has never discussed any drugs with him.
Armstrong made his comments during a two-day media tour, which
included appearances at David Letterman's show, a New York Yankees
game and U.S. Postal Services office with Mayor Rudolph Giuliani.
Armstrong spent part of Thursday on a bicycle, taking an
impromptu ride through Central Park, before heading to Washington
on Friday to meet with President Bush.
Armstrong, who still is tested regularly for cancer, said he was
already looking forward to next year, but would make no predictions
about more victories. No one has won more than five.
"I hope I can be smart enough and intelligent enough to walk
away when it's time, and I hope I can say a record or number of
victories won't motivate my decision to keep forcing something that
doesn't want to be forced," he said.
Of course, his current desire to race isn't forced, and the
29-year-old Armstrong said he wasn't really entertaining any
thoughts of doing anything else.
But when he does stop pedaling, "I don't want to have any
bitterness toward the sport, I don't want to have any bitterness
toward the new generation. ... I hope I have the class to do
that."
Armstrong and wife Kristin are expecting twin girls in December
and plan to spend more time in Austin, Texas, preparing for their
arrival.
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ALSO SEE LeMond apologizes to Armstrong, says he was misunderstood Tour de Lance continues: Armstrong honored in NYC | |
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