User Guide
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THE GREG LEMOND STORY
Greg’s List
Greg LeMond is a visionary. In 1978 as a
young high school student, Greg listed on a
piece of paper his 4 goals in cycling, with dates:
1. 1979- Win Junior World Championship Road
Race
2. 1980- Win Olympic Road Race
3. By age 22- Win Professional World
Championship Road Race
4. By age 25- Win Tour de France
Greg changes American cycling
In 1978, a prediction like this seemed
brash. The idea that an American could win
an international race was almost laughable.
Today, an exceptional set of goals like Greg’s
has become completely believable. This com-
plete change in our perception illustrates just
how much Greg changed cycling in the U.S.,
if not the world.
As a developing cyclist, Greg identified the
equipment which would give him an edge. He
had an uncanny knack for equipment selec-
tion, always the first to spot a particular item
which might give him an advantage. In any
race, seconds count. Consider that Greg won
the 1989 Tour de France by just 8 seconds,
the closest margin in Tour history.
Most of the items that Greg pioneered are
considered standard equipment these days.
Greg was among the first in the European
peloton to use clipless pedals, a heart moni-
tor, special cycling eye wear, a cycle com-
puter, thin-shell helmet, or a titanium frame.
Of course, our pick for a competitive edge is
a bike built with LeMond geometry, which we
detail later. For now, back to Greg’s career.
Checking off the list
Greg began checking off his goals, winning
the 1979 Junior World Championship Road
Race in Buenos Aires, Argentina. For extra
measure, he also won a silver medal in the
Pursuit and a bronze in the Team Time Trial.
Winning three World Championship medals
is a story in itself, but the road race stands
out. As the finish neared, the pack was
together. It looked like a big field sprint.
With 10km to go, Greg attacked. Only one
rider went with him, but this young Belgian
opportunist refused to work. Greg put his
head down and gave it his all. 4 Russians
went to the chase, riding in team time trial
formation. With 2km to go these four riders
had completely strung out the field, yet Greg
was single-handedly holding them off. Surely
the Belgian, fresh from sitting on Greg’s
wheel, had the Gold already?
As the finish neared, the Belgian jumped
off Greg’s wheel. Somehow, even after pulling
the Belgian for almost 10km, Greg found
the power to sprint. Greg was starting to
come back around the Belgian! In a panic,
the Belgian threw a vicious hook, forcing
Greg into a pile of old tires used as a race
barricade. Miraculously, Greg stayed up. The
hook was so obvious that the Belgian was
relegated. LeMond had won!
Greg’s first year as a Senior
The next year, 1980, was Greg’s first as
a senior competitor. He had a phenomenal
spring season competing in Europe includ-
ing winning a large international stage race
in France, the Circuit de la Sarthe. The
French press were in an uproar. It was the
first time an American had won a major
French stage race. With almost no team sup-
port, Greg had managed a significant win
against the major European national teams,
and even some Pros. Everything pointed
to achieving goal #2, a Gold in the 1980
Olympic Road Race.
Unfortunately, the U.S. chose to boycott the
Moscow Olympics. Missing the Olympics was a
let down for Greg. Although Greg had dreamed
of Olympic glory, he had not been able to envi-
sion politics entering the sporting arena.
Greg was at a cross roads; wait four years
for another Olympics, or turn Pro? Unlike
today, Professional racers in 1980 were not
allowed to compete in the Olympics. Greg’s
spring season had attracted an offer from
Cyril Guimard, the Directeur Sportif of the
Renault professional squad. A young, eager
and determined Greg LeMond accepted his
first Pro contract.
Greg gave up his amateur status and
quickly learned Pro racing under the tute-
lage of his new team mate, Bernard Hinault.
Just three short years later, Greg won the
1983 World Championship Road Race in
Zurich, Switzerland. On a tough, rainy cir-
cuit, LeMond broke away with 20km to
go. Again, only one rider went with him.
However, this time Greg was able to get
his breakaway companion to do some work.
Greg used tactics in perfect fashion, using