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Video exclusive: Greg LeMond on the Tour de France, innovation and his top cyclists of all time

In this exclusive video Greg Lemond talks about the challenge of winning the Tour de France and embracing innovation in the sport

In this exclusive video Greg LeMond, the only American to have won the Tour de France, talks about the challenge, intensity and demands involved with racing the three week stage race.

The film was shot by Oakley so expect some advertising, but there's still some interesting stuff in there.

LeMond embraced innovation during his career. He used the latest equipment if he thought it would gain him  a competitive edge,  most notably demonstrated in the 1989 Tour de France final time trial. LeMond was one of the first riders to adopt new aero bars and aero helmet which undoubtedly gave him an aerodynamic advantage over runner-up Laurent Fignon.

LeMond was also one of the first to start regularly wearing glasses. He started wearing Oakley's Eyeshade in 1985, and the rest, as they say, is history. Now the entire peloton wears eyewear and helmets. 

Also in the video LeMond lists his top cyclists of all time. Do you agree with his choices?

David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes

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andyp | 10 years ago
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'smeared' is putting it lightly.

'he was not the only American to win the race.'

Um, yes. Yes he is. Check the record books, not your own fevered fanboy fantasies.

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Beaufort | 10 years ago
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Greg is another person that Lxxxe Axxxxxxxg smeared. 3 tdf wins, 2 of them with gunshot in his heart and liver.

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Geetee1972 | 10 years ago
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How do platelets benefit a rider? I think USADA is an American agency and so wouldn't have any authority to pursue other potential cheats. He witch hunt around Armstrong has been as punitive as it has been for many more reasons than just the fact that he cheated. He made a lot of money from his exploits including the insurance premiums he took out in the event he won. You also have to consider the manner in which he prosecuted the doping. His biggest crime was not the cheating so much as the way he went about it, the way he bullied and marginalised anyone who went against him in a despicable and very public way. He ruined others' careers and he cheated every cancer suffer that ever put hope in his achievements. He was as Paul Kimmage put it, the cancer in our sport.

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ldsknack | 10 years ago
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watched Greg in his prime. good rider. however, he was not the only American to win the race. this sport has been dirty since they learned how more platelets could benefit a rider. one question I have is what about the TDF that LA didn't win but was a competitor? Does anyone truly believe that the winner wasn't doping? Where is the usada to witch hunt those riders until they confess? Yeah, that ain't happening... that is what makes the entire mess a huge joke...

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zanf | 10 years ago
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"Is his list the same as your list?"

Tautology?

I watched "Taming The Badger", the documentary based on Richard Moores book the other day and would recommend it (hint its up on youtube  3 ). I'm glad Greg is now back in the spotlight after being out in the cold for a few years because of a certain person.

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