Lance Armstrong: Winning Tour De France Without Dope, ‘Impossible’!

Lance Armstrong, seven times winner of the Tour de France, always denied taking performance-enhancing drugs. That was until he went on TV in January and openly admitted to Oprah Winfrey that he had lied for years.

Of course, he was condemned and punished. He was stripped of all his titles, and his sponsors vanished overnight. He was banned for life from cycling again professionally.

It’s interesting to learn that only now, six months later, Lance Armstrong makes this claim. Today (Friday) he told the French paper Le Monde that it was “impossible to win without doping.”

He was referring to the Tour de France, the most famous cycling event in the world. What triggered his statement now, was the fact that this year’s race starts tomorrow.

He showed some bitterness that he was no longer classed as a winner. Referring to the years 1999 to 2005 he said “there must be a winner then.” And “nobody came forward to claim my jerseys.”

He went on “I did not invent doping”…….. I just took part in the system.”

He criticized the US Anti-Doping Agency for “destroying a man’s life” and not benefiting the sport at all.

Some would consider Armstrong unfortunate – even a victim. He was part of a framework that was normal in the sport. But his high profile put him in the front line for criticism.

Consider Lance Armstrong’s life in total.

His miraculous recovery from testicular cancer and the charitable fund he created. The inspiration he gave to thousands of young riders for so many years.

Do you think Lance Armstrong should be regarded as an outcast and punished for doping? Perhaps you agree that he “Just took part in the system?” Let us know in the comments below

(Image Via: hdwpapers.com Video clip: Joseph Bjkk)