Lance Armstrong: I understand anger but have to do charity ride
American set for return to Tour de France roads
By Orla Chennaoui
Last Updated: 16/07/15 10:07am
Lance Armstrong admits he understands why his return to the Tour de France to take part in a charity ride has sparked anger but says he felt "obliged" to do it.
Armstrong will ride stages 13 and 14 of Le Tour - One Day Ahead on Thursday and Friday after being invited by organiser and former England international footballer Geoff Thomas, who is a fellow cancer survivor.
The ride aims to raise £1million for Cure Leukaemia, but despite the good cause, news of Armstrong's participation was met with widespread criticism within cycling.
International Cycling Union president Brian Cookson led the backlash by describing it as "inappropriate and disrespectful", but Armstrong remains adamant that charity is more important than sport.
In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports News HQ, he said: "I don't have mixed emotions. I'm sure that others do and I understand that. I understand that there are mixed and difficult emotions for a lot of people, but I'm here for Geoff and his cause.
"He asked me to do it. He flew to Austin to talk to me about it. He looked me in the eyes and just asked me to come. I'm honoured that he asked and I'm honoured to help.
"I can understand that there were questions and criticisms beforehand. It would be one thing if Geoff came to me with a cause that wasn't at all related to me or dear to my heart, whereas this one really is and so I felt obliged to come and help.
"That's what I would just remind people, that what he has embarked on and his team of riders isn't easy. They are raising a ton of money and they are trying to save lives and the last thing I want to do, honestly, is try to distract from a great bike race."
Armstrong won seven consecutive Tours between 1999 and 2005 but had those victories erased from his record after admitting to doping in January 2013.
Le Tour - One Day Ahead follows the route of the 2015 race, one day in advance of the professional peloton. Thursday's stage travels from Muret to Rodez, while Friday's ride is from Rodez to Mende.
Armstrong arrived in southern France on Wednesday and although he would like to keep a low profile, he accepts that his history at the Tour means that was never going to be likely.
He added: "That's why I'm not totally comfortable talking to you about it because I know that anything I have to do or say is in some way going to take away from the race."
