Armstrong invited to 2018 Tour of Flanders

PARIS: Disgraced former American cyclist Lance Armstrong is controversially set to attend next year’s Tour of Flanders as a guest of the famed cobbled classic, race organisers said.

Armstrong was stripped of his record seven Tour de France titles won between 1999 and 2005 for a reign of doping that badly tarnished cycling’s credibility.

But officials for the prestigious ‘Monument’ race said the 46-yearold will be an invited guest and a keynote speaker at the Tour of Flanders Business Academy ahead of the April 1 classic in Belgium.

“Lance Armstrong is delighted to be visiting Flanders to tell his story and experience his favourite oneday race live.

“To him, this will also be a return to cycling and, as far as I am concerned, he is very welcome!” said race organiser Wouter Vandenhaute.

“Lance Armstrong is and remains a great champion. I have felt for many years now that he was above all punished for his arrogance.

“I met Lance Armstrong in Washington last October and found him to be a chastened man who has made peace with his fate.”

The UCI, cycling’s governing body, told AFP they were unwilling to comment on Armstrong’s possible return to the sport.

Armstrong has largely been shunned by the cycling world since being exposed as a doping cheat. He was issued with a lifetime ban by the United States Anti-Doping Agency in 2012. — AFP