Cycling Head Urges Lance Armstrong Not to Pursue France Ride

LONDON (AP) — The head of world cycling says it would be "disrespectful" to current riders if Lance Armstrong rode the Tour de France route a day before the professional peloton as a charity fundraiser.

Armstrong was stripped of his seven Tour titles for doping on every one of his wins from 1999-2005.

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, which imposed a life ban from cycling on Armstrong, has no objection to his charity ride plans, which follows an invite from former England soccer player Geoff Thomas.

But International Cycling Union President Brian Cookson said on Tuesday: "I am sure Geoff Thomas means well, (but) it is frankly inappropriate (for Armstrong), and it is disrespectful to the Tour de France, and disrespectful to the current peloton."

Cookson added at the Sport Industry Breakfast Club in London: "Lance would be well advised not to take part."

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