In a sharply worded blast at Tour de France organizer Jean-Marie
Leblanc, four-time Tour champion Lance Armstrong has slammed the
French organization for its failure to invite World Champion Mario
Cipollini, who is sponsored by Specialized, to compete in the
hundredth anniversary of the world
’s most prestigious bicycle race. The Tour starts July 5 at the
Eiffel Tower in Paris.
In a sharply worded blast at Tour de France organizer Jean-Marie Leblanc, four-time Tour champion Lance Armstrong has slammed the French organization for its failure to invite World Champion Mario Cipollini, who is sponsored by Specialized, to compete in the hundredth anniversary of the world’s most prestigious bicycle race. The Tour starts July 5 at the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
“The Tour is the biggest race. It’s a world class race and you can’t keep the best people out,” Armstrong told the Italian daily Gazzetta dello Sport. “I don’t understand this decision. I’ve asked for an answer but I haven’t gotten a response.”
Armstrong joins a growing number of riders, journalists, and cycling fans in expressing their outrage with the French decision, which many see as yet another example of Gallic arrogance in what is perhaps the world’ most international sport. Cycling is also the second-most popular sport in the world and coverage of the Tour de France ranks only behind soccer’s World Cup in terms of worldwide TV audience.
“There’s three good reasons why this decision is absolutely wrong,” Armstrong continued. “First, Cipollini is the World Champion and they didn’t think only of the race. Second, Cipollini is the best sprinter in the world, so even on a technical level it’s a mistake not to invite him. Third, Cipollini is a really big personality and he’s very popular in cycling. He knows how to take his responsibilities, and the Tour should welcome him back.”
“The Tour is a world class event, it’s not a national race,” added Armstrong. “The more champions there are the better, and the more difficult the race is, the more passionate the fans are.”
