‘There won’t be another cycling icon like Armstrong’

There will never be another person as iconic as Lance Armstrong in the sport of cycling, said 2011 Tour de France winner and former world road racing champion Cadel Evans.

While Armstrong is now a disgraced former rider who has been stripped of his victories — and reputation — in 2012 after US authorities ruled that he presented “the most sophisticated, professionalised and successful doping programme that sport has ever seen”, he was once idolised the world over.

The American, who won seven straight Tour de France from 1999 to 2005, fought through testicular cancer in 1996 and subsequently founded the Livestrong Foundation to assist other cancer survivors. His story touched and inspired many, before his drug usage came to light.

“I don’t think anyone will reach the heights of Lance Armstrong, because his whole story was just so incredible,” said Evans. “Whether someone can get to the heights of Lance ... I don’t know if that will happen again.

“Winning the Tour de France seven times is one thing, but that whole cancer story makes it more incredible. He is also American, and America has about 300 million people, so imagine the followers and fans he had. He had the whole nation behind him, and more. His influence was huge. His whole story was so amazing, that even if it was repeated, I don’t think people are going to believe it, too, after what has happened.”

After many years of trying to rebuild a reputation savaged by Armstrong, however, Evans said that cycling has since dragged itself out of the doping shadow. “Most definitely, we have,” said the 2011 Tour De France winner. “People often forget that cycling is at the forefront of drug-testing.

“Cyclists are by far the most tested athletes and also members of society in the world. That is often forgotten about.

“So cycling has moved ahead, and is in a different environment for a long time now.” ADELENE WONG