Lance Armstrong: 'In 1999 no one even knew you could put a motor in a bike'
In a tense interview on Irish radio, Lance Armstrong laughs off a question about whether he ever used a motor in his bike
Lance Armstrong laughed off the question of whether he used a motor in his bike when he raced to win the Tour de France, saying at the time no one knew such bikes existed.
The disgraced Texan cyclist spoke at length in a tense Off the Ball interview for Irish radio, which ended with Armstrong hanging up without saying a word. He was asked about topics ranging from Greg LeMond to Paul Kimmage – and of course, motors.
"Absolutely not," he said when asked if doping doctor Michele Ferrari ever offered him a motorised bike.
If he would ever had considered using one, Armstrong said, "of course not."
Host Ger Gilroy asked him what the difference was between using a motorised bike and EPO, which Armstrong confessed to consuming.
"Ger, are you a complete rookie? In 1999, no one even knew you could put a motor [in a bike]. Are you out of your mind?" Armstrong said.
"I know that it's topical. I know there has been a rider caught with a motor in her bike. But, are you crazy?"
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Ferrari explained in April that "sooner or later" someone will explain how motorised bikes are used in cycling.
"Electric bikes? I tested them, the advantages are obvious," Ferrari said. "They have been used in races since 2005 and some professionals keep them at home to replace the workouts behind motorcycles. No one is interested in looking under the carpet. But sooner or later someone will talk."
It must be said, Armstrong has never been accused of having cheated with a motor, which could explain his incredulity at the line of questioning.
He admitted to doping throughout much of his career with EPO, testosterone, blood transfusions and other banned drugs and methods. Officials stripped him of his seven Tour de France wins from 1999 to 2005 after the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) decision in 2012. He says he still keeps the seven yellow jerseys framed on his wall.
>>> Lance Armstrong: If the court case goes the wrong way then we’re out on the street
Irish journalists Paul Kimmage and David Walsh helped play a role in Armstrong's downfall. At a pre-Tour of California, Kimmage famously confronted Armstrong when he was making his comeback. Armstrong said that Kimmage was not worth the chair that he sat on.
"I had one interaction with Paul, that was at the press conference in California. I didn't handle that right. I'm sorry, I was a complete dick," Armstrong added.
"He wants to do an interview. There's a time for he and I to sit down. Truth be told, I don't know Paul Kimmage. It was that one interaction, that I'll fully confess too and cop to that I was out of line."
Armstrong sued Walsh and The Sunday Times and they settled on £300,000 in 2006. After the USADA report, the newspaper sued Armstrong for £1 million and settled out of court for an undisclosed amount.
"David's situation has been settled and it's a confidential matter, I can't comment on that and he can't comment on that. That'd be an interesting podcast [with Walsh], but I don't know that that's going to happen at anytime soon."
The 45-year-old Texan seemed upset at times throughout the interview and went silent for eight seconds after one question. When Gilroy thanked him for his time and the interview, Armstrong hung up without a word spoken.
Armstrong will be in Ireland later this month for the One Zero Conference in Dublin, where he joked that Kimmage should be the one who asks him the questions.
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
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
Forget distance covered, these are the key stats to note in your Strava Year in Sport
We asked a coach how to best analyse our end of year Strava data
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'She should show a bit more respect' - Lotte Kopecky responds to Demi Vollering comments
The pair seemingly had one last fractious year together at SD Worx-Protime in 2024
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Will another cyclist ever follow Lance Armstrong onto a Wheaties box?
USA Cycling is optimistic about the ‘strongest US men’s presence in Europe’ in nearly two decades with contenders for future Tour de France race.
By Anne-Marije Rook Last updated
-
Former French Anti-Doping boss accuses Lance Armstrong of motor doping
Verdy says he doesn't think Armstrong's performances were possible on just EPO alone
By Jonny Long Published
-
Lance Armstrong tips Mathieu van der Poel to win Tour of Flanders
Lance Armstrong has tipped Mathieu van der Poel to win the Tour of Flanders this weekend.
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
Lance Armstrong could have won without the drugs, says Phil Liggett
Lance Armstrong would have won the Tour de France with doping, according to legendary cycling commentator Phil Liggett.
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
Lance Armstrong would have been the best of his generation even without doping, claims Johan Bruyneel
Lance Armstrong would have been the strongest rider of his generation even without doping, Johan Brunyeel has claimed.
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
Johan Bruyneel says he won't watch the Lance Armstrong documentary as he 'already knows what happened'
The former US Postal Service boss is currently serving a lifetime ban from cycling
By Jonny Long Published
-
Lance Armstrong says he didn't like the Greg LeMond part of the ESPN documentary
'There are still very specific things that I think still upset him,' said the film's director
By Jonny Long Published
-
Tyler Hamilton suggests Lance Armstrong still hasn’t told the whole truth in new documentary
Tyler Hamilton has suggested Lance Armstrong still hasn’t told the whole truth in a revealing new documentary.
By Alex Ballinger Published