What ever happened to Lance Armstrong?

RODEZ, FRANCE - JULY 16: Lance Armstrong riding with Cure Leukaemia charity riders during stage thirteen of the One Day Ahead - Le Tour 2015 on July 16, 2015 in Rodez, France. (Photo by Sam Bagnall/Getty Images)
RODEZ, FRANCE - JULY 16: Lance Armstrong riding with Cure Leukaemia charity riders during stage thirteen of the One Day Ahead - Le Tour 2015 on July 16, 2015 in Rodez, France. (Photo by Sam Bagnall/Getty Images) /
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The Tour de France is almost upon us, which has some people wondering — what ever happened to Lance Armstrong?

For years you could not hear about the Tour de France and not think of the name Lance Armstrong, but his name has seemed to vanish in the background these last few years and many are wondering why.

Unfortunately, it’s not a good thing that’s kept him away.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BftNeInhONv/?taken-by=lancearmstrong

In 2012 it was proven that Armstrong, one of the most decorated bicyclists in history, used performance-enhancing drugs throughout his career, and evaded being caught by using overt deception. All of his winning results (going back to August 1998) were voided, and he was banned from sanctioned Olympic sports for life.

Included in the void were his seven Tour de France victories.

He decided to accept the punishment, rather than to fight the charges, due to the potential toll it could take on him and his family. In 2013, Armstrong admitted that some of the allegations were true, though he would not give any details.

Armstong was at one time considered to America’s boy next door after he battled and survived testicular cancer (it had also spread to his brain, lungs, and abdomen). He created the Lance Armstrong Foundation, which became known worldwide for its yellow Livestrong bracelets.

Armstrong’s major wins included:

Grand Tour

  • Tour de France
  • 2 individual stages (1993, 1995)

Stage Races

  • Tour de Luxembourg (1998)
  • Tour DuPont (1995), (1996)

One-day races and Classics

  • World Road Race Championships (1993)
  • National Road Race Championships (1993)
  • Clásica de San Sebastián (1995)
  • La Flèche Wallonne (1996)
  • Trofeo Laigueglia (1993)

Armstrong has five children, and still cycles, though not on the level of his heyday.

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