In 2004 a then recently retired Jonathan Vaughters interviewed Greg LeMond for a magazine feature. The three-time Tour de France winner was described by Vaughters as an American hero and an inspiration for a generation of riders. Former rider Alexi Grewal, who Vaughters talked to for the article, went so far as to liken LeMond to a god.
12 years on from that interview and the landscape of American cycling has changed irrevocably. Accusations have been levelled, doping confessions have been heard and several former champions ultimately disgraced. Yet despite, that LeMond's reputation has been enhanced. He's one of only a few icons of American cycling that are still standing.
LeMond now spends the vast majority of his time running his resurrected bike and accessories brand. He does some commentary for Eurosport and watches cycling when he can. But with two grandchildren, he now enjoys life at far more relaxed pace than during his racing heyday. When he spoke to Cyclingnews it was the day of his granddaughter's birthday party but he found time for us before the family gathered and the cake was cut so that we could talk to him about cycling in the USA, its health, and its future.
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"I think we could find an athlete like me if we tapped into more riders," LeMond tells Cyclingnews optimistically.
"There's no doubt that there's more talent out there, we just need to find it and then develop it."
"I remember when I stopped racing and everyone asked: ‘Who is going to come through next?' Now there are a couple of riders now who can do really well. You've got someone like Andrew Talansky but then you've got Joe Dombrowski and Nathan Brown, who I really like the look of. Brown has got a track background, so he can time trial. We've not seen his true potential yet. What's exciting is that we've not seen the full potential from a lot of these guys."
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