Le Vernet (France)-Lance Armstrong was back near the Tour de France on Thursday, with the American who was stripped of his seven Tour titles for doping taking part in a fund-raising event.
Armstrong, 43, is riding two Tour stages one day ahead of the regular field along with amateur riders in an event organised by former footballer Geoff Thomas to raise money for the fight against blood cancer of which he was cured.
The participation of Armstrong on Thursday attracted huge media attention. He rode his last Tour in 2010.
Armstrong overcame testicular cancer to win the Tour seven straight times between 1999 and 2005. But it was later revealed that he was part of a sophisticated doping scheme in one of the biggest scandals in international sports.
“I understand that there are reservations,” Armstrong said as he was mobbed by the media. (But) I am here for Geoff and his charity.’’
Thomas’ charity event has so far raised more than 600,000 pounds (938,000 dollars). The riders undertake all Tour stages one day ahead of the official race.
British Tour leader Chris Froome, whose mother died of leukemia, welcomed the charity event but also insisted that Armstrong was not really returning to the Tour, and that the American is no real issue among the riders. (dpa/NAN)