Eurosport Signs Tdf Champion Lemond
Eurosport has confirmed the signing of cycling legend Greg LeMond as a new global ambassador, joining the broadcaster’s on-air 2014 line-up to provide live on-site analysis at Paris-Roubaix, Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France across the channel’s 54 European markets in an exclusive preview and review show entitled “LeMond on Tour”.
The three-time Tour de France winner will also feature in a new monthly show “LeMond of Cycling” which broadcasts its first episode on Wednesday 9th April previewing and reviewing the Grand Tour races of 2014.
LeMond won his most famous Tour de France victory 25 years ago in 1989, the same year Eurosport was launched bringing added resonance to the company’s 25th year anniversary activities, in which he will play a part as a channel ambassador.
An outspoken and passionate supporter of the sport he loves, LeMond has not shared his racing knowledge widely on live television in the past.
The American joins Eurosport’s other global ambassadors already working with its lead sports, such as seven-time Grand Slam winner Mats Wilander in tennis, 100m Olympic Champion Maurice Greene in athletics and triple Olympic swimming champion Pieter van den Hoogenband and Didier Cuche, Alpine Skiing World Champion.
Greg LeMond said: ‘It feels like the right time to get back into the heart of cycling again and for me there was only one place I could really do that and it was with Eurosport. I have always spoken my mind and feel now the sport is in a better place so the timing is perfect.’
‘I love the connection I have with the fans in Europe and can’t wait to join them for the season’s biggest races with the Eurosport team. I can’t believe it was 25 years ago I won Le Tour by such a tiny margin. 1989 was a great year for cycling and it’s very special for me to know that it was the same year Eurosport first broadcast the race.’
Stefano Bernabino, Eurosport’s head of cycling added: ‘We are very proud to welcome Greg to Eurosport, the Home of Cycling. He is a cycling legend who has left one of the most significant and long-standing impressions on the development of his sport. The best all-rounder in recent decades, mixing climbing ability with time-trialling and an innate vision for race strategy Greg LeMond has been a true champion on and off his bike.’
‘He has been a pioneer in technological research and equipment development and has an inspiring insight and clear values on cycling and sporting culture. His incomparable racing experience, charisma and vision of his sport will enrich our already comprehensive cycling coverage.’
In 1986 LeMond fought the entire peloton in the Tour de France, and arguably his own teammate in Bernard Hinault, for his first Grand Tour win in 1986.
After suffering a near-fatal shooting accident in 1987 he returned to take his second Tour de France title in 1989 famously by the smallest ever winning margin of 8 seconds from French favourite Laurent Fignon in the final time-trial stage.
He then became one of only five riders to complete the Tour de France – World Road Race Championship double in the same year winning the WCH’s in Chambery, France. In 1990 he won his final Tour de France and eventually retired in 1994.
The channel’s cycling offer for its anniversary year will feature over 40 different events, including 24 UCI World Tour Races, the best of the Spring Classics, stage races and the three Grand Tours, of Italy, France and Spain representing over 1500 hours of coverage.
