Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, June 29, 1993 TAG: 9306290088
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: PARIS LENGTH: Medium
The three-time Tour de France champion won't even make it to the starting line this year because of an energy-sapping allergy - the latest in a series of mishaps and failures that have plagued LeMond the last three years and raised questions about his future as a top cyclist.
This season, the 32-year-old American has displayed none of the form that helped him win cycling's most prestigious race in 1986, 1989 and 1990.
LeMond has provided some of the greatest thrills at the Tour de France, including the breathtaking final time trial in 1989 when he edged Frenchman Laurent Fignon by eight seconds, the closest finish in the Tour's history.
Later that year, he won the cycling World Championship for the second time, and the following year he won his third Tour de France. But it's been downhill since then.
In 1991, he sufferered from an infection and finished seventh in the Tour. Last year, he complained of exhaustion and dropped out in the Alps. After the race, he took some time off from cycling.
"I needed the rest," LeMond said. "I was really burned out. I was shattered physically."
LeMond vowed to come back strong this year. He set up base at his second home in Belgium, brought his family over from Minnesota and commuted to races.
But, he admitted, "When you get older, other things become more important in your life. Cycling is not the No. 1 priority to a cyclist who has a wife and kids."
Instead of climbing back to the top, LeMond dropped out of races on the first climb. He was almost 2 1/2 miles behind in the Tour of Italy when he finally dropped out in the next-to-last stage.
Lemond suffered stomach aches and dysentery shortly before withdrawing from the Italian race. The press attributed his dismal performance to lack of preparation. Lemond did not comment.
Another try at a low-key race in southern France found him gasping, 39 minutes behind, after the first climb. That caused him to return to Belgium for further medical tests.
"We knew from the first tests that Greg suffers from a chronic weakness and doesn't recuperate from his efforts," said his team director, Roger Legeay.
There was a time when LeMond could ride in top form, day after day, while other cyclists would falter at least once.
It's hard to reconcile those memories with the cyclist who struggled up a mountain last July, far behind the main group. LeMond slowly coasted to a stop, tried to avoid pursuing photographers, and escaped to the safety of his team car, looking exhausted and beaten.
At the time, it seemed his career might be over. Now, it may be.
by CNB