The column: Greg Lemond puts it all on the line

The column: Greg Lemond puts it all on the line

Rouleur editor Andy McGrath meets Greg LeMond in Switzerland and finds this American icon to be open, principled and passionate, and still just as in love with cycling as ever

Anthony Leutenegger Greg Lemond Rouleur Classic

Cycling has often been a remedy in Greg LeMond’s life. A way to channel his hyperactive energy, to gain self-esteem, to escape childhood trauma, to reinvent himself.

 

On a sunny mid-July afternoon, more mundanely, it’s the answer to transatlantic jet lag. Even with the time difference and grass allergies trying to close them, his eyes – as blue as the adjacent Lake Leman – still light up when he gets on the bike. LeMond is on the French-Swiss border for work and pleasure – he is the patron of their Châtel Chablais Léman sportive and unwinding with his old friend Patrick, which means a few gourmet dinners and fly fishing trips.

 

They pedal to a car dealership, one of the ride’s partners, to meet waiting workers and fans. There are two dozen aficionados, some toting mobile phones, woollen Renault jerseys and old photographs to sign. A holidaying Toronto family is there in homemade Team Z T-shirts; another punter drove 1,000 kilometres from Normandy, leaving at three in the morning.

They are magnetised to LeMond and, far from many champions who develop a not-totally-there autopilot for public dealings, the American seems genuinely interested to meet and talk to them too despite the strangeness of being feted for youthful feats: “It seems weird. I’m like an antique! I kind of go, what’s the big deal?”

 

Greg LeMond is a big deal, a revolutionary champion and one-off who went against the grain: in his drive for technological gain, in pushing back against the traditionalism of the sport – nutrition, performance, salary demands, even the mere presence of his family at bike races – and in being outspoken about doping.

 

His bike racing career, which most notably led to three Tours de France and two elite world championships, was wild and drama-filled enough. Remarkably, that was perhaps the straightforward bit of his life.

 

He has also endured sexual abuse, mononucleosis, depression and a life-threatening shooting. Now, LeMond is back on the up after a draining decade of clashes and litigation with the likes of Lance Armstrong, Floyd Landis and Trek.

 

“It’s been very trying. I’m amazed, I’ve been through some shit that most people can’t survive. But we’re here and we’re good. Life is never perfect, but it’s shaped me in a positive way too,” he says.

 

The Cycling Hall of Fame 2019: The case for Greg LeMond

 

When it would have been easy to close himself off or fall out of love with cycling, LeMond remains open, principled, passionate and curious to understand the world around him and himself – as you’ll see in the pages of Rouleur this October, with our exclusive interview, and in person at the Rouleur Classic.

Anthony Leutenegger Greg Lemond Rouleur Classic

READ MORE

Portrait of Lukas Nerurkar

‘An altitude camp at the age of seven’ – Lukas Nerurkar on the power of doing things differently

The British rider had a unique upbringing, spending his early childhood in Ethiopia and learning from his marathon runner father – he tells Rouleur about...

Leer más
Women's UAE Tour

Women’s UAE Tour 2025: Who will win the four-stage race in the Middle East?

The third edition of the Women's WorldTour race will begin on Thursday, February, 6 2025 

Leer más
Rob Stannard

Robert Stannard: Lost, fined, and fighting for redemption

The Australian rider speaks to Rouleur about his turbulent past 18 months 

Leer más
Wout van Aert says winning Flanders and Roubaix isn’t an obsession – but it is

Wout van Aert says winning Flanders and Roubaix isn’t an obsession – but it is

All eyes will be on the Belgian rider as he tries to finally win two of the biggest one-day races in the sport

Leer más
Frank van den Broek: hobby DJ, part-time florist, and Tour de France star

Frank van den Broek: hobby DJ, part-time florist, and Tour de France star

Frank van den Broek hasn't had the most conventional rise to the top

Leer más

READ RIDE REPEAT

JOIN ROULEUR TODAY

Get closer to the sport than ever before.

Enjoy a digital subscription to Rouleur for just £4 per month and get access to our award-winning magazines.

SUBSCRIBE