Geraint Thomas calls out Bradley Wiggins over 'publicity seeking' Lance Armstrong comments
The 2018 Tour de France winner said his former team-mate's comments were simply geared and creating publicity for his book
Geraint Thomas says Bradley Wiggins' recent comments in praise of Lance Armstrong are purely for publicity of his new book.
Wiggins, winner of the 2012 Tour de France, has said in interviews and written in his new book, Icons, supportive comments of Armstrong, who was stripped of his seven Tour titles after it was revealed he and his team systematically doped through each victory.
“I’m not saying he’s an icon," Wiggins said in an interview with TalkSport in October.
“Whether people like it or not he’s iconic in some way, good or bad.
“For me, I can’t change the way he made me feel when I was 13. It changed my life.”
In his book, Wiggins - who retired at the end of 2016 - wrote that Armstrong was a "perfect" Tour de France winner.
Thomas, who rode with Wiggins at Team Sky from 2010 until 2015, was asked about the comments while he was in China, riding the ASO organised Shanghai Criterium. The 32-year-old said it was easy for Wiggins to say such things now he is retired and away from competition and regular interviews with journalists.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"Brad's got a book to sell," Thomas said to AFP.
"He doesn't have to worry about anything, either. He doesn't have to race his bike and deal with journalists.
"He can just say what he wants and do any interview he wants so he can say something like that and get a load of publicity."
UCI president David Lappartient has also criticised Wiggins' comments on Armstrong, saying he found the "strange" and unbelievable, adding: "“In supporting Lance Armstrong who’s been banned for life for cheating, for me this isn’t acceptable."
In the same interview in Shanghai, Thomas also said he would be targetting a second Tour de France victory in 2019, riding alongside four-time winner Chris Froome. The Welshman acknowledged how difficult defending his title would be though.
"If you look in the history books, the last man to retain it after winning it for the first time was (Miguel) Indurain, back in 1991-92," said Thomas.
"So it kind of shows how rare that is."
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Follow on Twitter: @richwindy
Richard is digital editor of Cycling Weekly. Joining the team in 2013, Richard became editor of the website in 2014 and coordinates site content and strategy, leading the news team in coverage of the world's biggest races and working with the tech editor to deliver comprehensive buying guides, reviews, and the latest product news.
An occasional racer, Richard spends most of his time preparing for long-distance touring rides these days, or getting out to the Surrey Hills on the weekend on his Specialized Tarmac SL6 (with an obligatory pub stop of course).
-
Cobbles to the sky: The day I conquered the mighty Gotthard Pass from both sides
As part of our summit baggers issue for CW's travel month, Tom Davidson travelled to the Swiss Alps to take on one of cycling's most unique climbs
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Is aero important when riding gravel?
While seeking aerodynamic improvement is regarded as conventional wisdom on the road, should the same apply to gravel racing?
By Andy Turner Published
-
Bradley Wiggins 'a little bit nervous' as he returns to cycling
Former Tour de France winner set to ride bike again for first time in almost three years
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'I should have paid more attention to my financial affairs' - Bradley Wiggins opens up about bankruptcy
Former Tour de France winner was declared bankrupt in June
By Adam Becket Published
-
Bradley Wiggins: 'I was putting myself in some situations where someone would have found me dead in the morning'
Former Tour de France winner and Olympic champion reveals further details about his mental health struggles and suggests 2022 interview potentially saved his life
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Bradley Wiggins joins Lance Armstrong for Tour de France podcast
The former Tour de France winner will be appearing on The Move for the next week
By Adam Becket Published
-
Bradley Wiggins declared bankrupt - reports
The Tour de France winner was in an Individual Voluntary Arrangement since 2020
By Adam Becket Published
-
Tweets of the week: Grandpa Geraint Thomas, a fox at the Giro d'Italia, and the greatest camera shot ever
As the dust settles on the Giro d'Italia, it's the Tour of Norway that grabs our attention
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Tweets of the week: Patrick Lefevere hands out the bidons, pink sunglasses, and the kids are alright
All the action from cycling social media in the last 7 days
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Anti-doping investigation reveals riders could still be manipulating the system to avoid detection
Full report from Operación Ilex reveals that lack of overnight and weekend lab testing in Spain makes performance enhancing drugs increasingly difficult to detect
By Tom Thewlis Published