Lance Armstrong riding Tour de France route is 'disrespectful' - Brian Cookson
Cookson suggested Armstrong "would be well-advised not to take part" in former England footballer Geoff Thomas' fundraiser.
Thomas has convinced shamed drugs cheat Armstrong to participate in part of the event, which will involve riding the Tour route one day ahead of the professional peloton.
Cookson said the UCI has no authority to stop Amstrong's bid but urged the American, who was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles in 2012, to think again.
Cookson said: "I'm sure that Geoff Thomas means well, but frankly, I think that's completely inappropriate and disrespectful to the Tour, disrespectful to the current riders, and disrespectful to the UCI and the anti-doping community. I think Lance would be well-advised not to take part in that.
"I'm not critical of people trying to raise funds for charity - let's be clear - but I think maybe Lance could find a better way of continuing his fundraising efforts than this."
Like Armstrong, Thomas is a cancer survivor and took inspiration during his treatment from the Texan's biography, It's Not About The Bike.
Thomas has convinced shamed drugs cheat Armstrong to participate in part of the event, which will involve riding the Tour route one day ahead of the professional peloton.
Cookson said the UCI has no authority to stop Amstrong's bid but urged the American, who was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles in 2012, to think again.
Cookson said: "I'm sure that Geoff Thomas means well, but frankly, I think that's completely inappropriate and disrespectful to the Tour, disrespectful to the current riders, and disrespectful to the UCI and the anti-doping community. I think Lance would be well-advised not to take part in that.
"I'm not critical of people trying to raise funds for charity - let's be clear - but I think maybe Lance could find a better way of continuing his fundraising efforts than this."
Like Armstrong, Thomas is a cancer survivor and took inspiration during his treatment from the Texan's biography, It's Not About The Bike.
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