Lance Armstrong says cycling is still in a mess after drugs confession
Lance Armstrong admits that he rarely rides his bike any more and wants to move on with his life after admitting to doping.
Lance Armstrong says that cycling is still in a mess nearly two years on from the admission that he doped in all seven of his Tour de France victories.
The 43-year-old received a lifetime ban from the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) in October 2012, was stripped of his Tour titles and is still being sued for $100m by the US federal government.
But Armstrong admitted to French digital magazine l’edition du Soir that he now only rides a bike about once a week, resulting in him suffering in the recent 125km Mike Nosco Bicycle Ride charity event in California.
“The route was very hard, much more than what I expected. I'm not used to these kind of climbs,” he told the website – a digital edition of the Ouest France newspaper.
“I don't train that much anymore, not more than once a week. And when I do a bike ride, it's mostly on my mountain bike. And in Austin, where I live, the routes are not as hilly.”
Two weeks ago (October 24) USA Cycling blocked Armstrong’s participation in the Hincapie Gran Fondo sportive, organised by former US Postal teammate George Hincapie, at the request of the USADA.
In an effort to move on with his life, Armstrong continues to attempt to reduce his ban, but admits that he doesn’t follow the cycling scene with much interest any more.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
And after the death of his friend Robin Williams, Armstrong insists he is determined to live life to the full, with that mostly being off the bike.
“I don't follow the results. From time to time, I read the newspaper or surf the internet but I do not look at it in particular detail,” he continued. “Not because it is something painful, it's just because I've turned the page.
“Needless to say that the end of my career was complicated. It is even still a mess... but I've moved on from it.
“When you've devoted your life to a sport, you realise at the end of your career that you've missed a lot. I've been trying to make up for lost time, either with my children or by travelling. I've also been dedicating time to the fight against cancer.”
Armstrong lies analysed by researchers to catch future cheats (video)
"There is potential for redemption for Lance Armstrong" says Brian Cookson
Travis Tygart hits out at Thor Hushovd over Armstrong silence
Lance Armstrong 'would have continued lying', had he not been caught
"My therapy is riding my bike, playing golf and having a beer" says a still largely unrepentant Lance Armstrong
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
Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.
-
Is Lotte Kopecky's bog-standard Specialized Crux proof that you don't need wide tires and fancy suspension systems for gravel racing?
Kopecky finished second at Gravel Worlds on a bike with minimal modifications
By Joe Baker Published
-
Undercover Mechanic: Cyclists have become very excited about aerodynamics without a correlated excitement for pilates - the result is a lot of spacers
90% of the front area is you, not the bike; having a kamtail downtube will make sod all difference if you’re unable to reach the bars, argues CW’s Undercover Mechanic
By Undercover Mechanic 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
-
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
-
Lance Armstrong plays astronaut on reality TV show; does he have the right stuff to win?
Lance Armstrong, the disgraced pro cyclist, is one of 12 celebs competing for the title ‘brightest star in the galaxy’ on Fox' Stars on Mars
By Greg Kaplan Published
-
Eight of the best cycling films streaming on Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+ and iPlayer
The best cycling-related films and documentaries available to watch online
By Tom Thewlis Last updated
-
F1 star Valtteri Bottas spotted out riding with Lance Armstrong
Alfa Romeo driver joined controversial American for Colorado spin on Sunday
By Adam Becket Published
-
'I think doping might actually be more popular': Mixed reviews as Lance Armstrong gets into the NFT game
If there's one thing worth reading this weekend, it's the replies to Lance Armstrong's tweet about acquiring an NFT
By Jonny Long Published
-
'I was almost dead': Jan Ullrich speaks out on his recovery on Lance Armstrong's podcast
The former Tour de France winner spoke about how finding friends in Armstrong and others after re-adopting a healthy lifestyle
By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published
-