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Greg LeMond reveals leukaemia diagnosis

"Fortunately, it is a type of cancer that is treatable, and it is a type of leukaemia that is not life-threatening or debilitating"...

Three-time Tour de France winner Greg LeMond has been diagnosed with leukaemia.

LeMond revealed the news in a statement, and explained "fortunately, it is a type of cancer that is treatable, and it is a type of leukaemia that is not life-threatening".

"The purpose of this statement is to let you know I have been diagnosed with Chronic Myelogenous Leukaemia," the statement says. 

"Fortunately, it is a type of cancer that is treatable, and it is a type of leukaemia that is not life-threatening or debilitating.

"I had been experiencing a few weeks of fatigue which prompted me to go in for a check-up which included some blood work. Following a series of tests and a bone marrow biopsy, which was completed last week, I received my formal diagnosis last Friday. My doctors at the University of Tennessee, with consultation from a team at the Mayo Clinic, have outlined a chemotherapy protocol which will begin this week.

"No one ever wants to hear the word cancer but, admittedly, there is great relief, now, to know why I was feeling poorly. My doctors and I have decided on a treatment which will begin this week.

"I should be feeling better in a few weeks and for the near future, my daily schedule will be altered only a little and I have been told that in a few months, I should be in remission. The long-term prognosis is very favourable. I am fortunate to have a great team of doctors and the full support of my family, friends, and colleagues at LeMond Bicycles."

LeMond outlined his intention to miss the Tour de France, which he was planning to travel to, and will watch the race from home instead. The retired racer also added that he is "confident" LeMond Bicycles "plans for the near future will not be disrupted in any way."

"I will continue to participate in and support our plans for the summer months ahead. I had hoped to be in France in July for the Tour, but we are, now, working on an alternate plan so I can follow the Tour and engage with friends and teammates from our offices and farm in Tennessee. I will look forward to returning to the Tour next summer," the statement continued.

"I will keep everyone updated about my health and treatments in the months ahead but, for now, I believe I couldn’t be in better hands. I am excited about our plans ahead and I look forward to updating you all along the way."

In March, LeMond promised "transformative change" to carbon construction with the all new 8 road bike. The brand said the new model "is the most transformative change to carbon fibre frame construction since its introduction over 30 years ago" and is "the safest bicycle in the world".

[Image: Greg LeMond La Vie Claire jersey - licenced under CC BY-ND 2.0 by Anders on Flickr creative commons]

Dan is the road.cc news editor and has spent the past four years writing stories and features, as well as (hopefully) keeping you entertained on the live blog. Having previously written about nearly every other sport under the sun for the Express, and the weird and wonderful world of non-league football for the Non-League Paper, Dan joined road.cc in 2020. Come the weekend you'll find him labouring up a hill, probably with a mouth full of jelly babies, or making a bonk-induced trip to a south of England petrol station... in search of more jelly babies.

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7 comments

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EM69 | 2 years ago
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Very best to you Greg and for LeMond bicycles too. 89 was the reason I took up cycling again, I don't need to explain 89...surely...

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ktache | 2 years ago
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Best of luck, Greg.

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AlsoSomniloquism | 2 years ago
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I have to admit that the LeMond era was too early for me, but having watched the Slaying The Badger documentary he seemed a genuine character. So best wishes Greg. 

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OnTheRopes replied to AlsoSomniloquism | 2 years ago
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One of the nicest guys in cycling. He is a great story teller too if you watch any of the interviews on YT. I read the Slaying the Badger book, excellent read from possibly the best era of bike racing.

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AlsoSomniloquism replied to OnTheRopes | 2 years ago
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He also wasn't afraid to call it as he saw it with Lance and the cycling from the 90's onwards. 

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mark1a replied to AlsoSomniloquism | 2 years ago
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I also enjoyed Slaying The Badger, and the ESPN 30 for 30 film of the same title was equally enjoyable.

All the best to Greg for the future.

My favourite era of cycling, I've built this for Eroica Britannia later this year:

 

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Rendel Harris replied to AlsoSomniloquism | 2 years ago
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AlsoSomniloquism wrote:

I have to admit that the LeMond era was too early for me, but having watched the Slaying The Badger documentary he seemed a genuine character. So best wishes Greg. 

He coincided with when I got into it, when C4 started showing the Tour, he was always a great hero and the reason I own four La Vie Claire tops today. Having shared treatment rooms with sufferers I know CML is a bitch but as cancers go it's not the worst and very treatable - this is the man who won his first Tour on one kidney and two more carrying shotgun pellets in his heart lining, lungs, liver and remaining kidney, if the fight in the dog counts for anything he's got this. 

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