LeMond says cycling no longer needs the UCI

AURAY, France (Reuters) - Three-times Tour de France champion Greg LeMond called for cycling to ditch the International Cycling Union (UCI) and restore its image under a new federation.

"Cycling no longer needs the UCI," the first American to win the Tour told journalists on Sunday at the start of the second stage.

"The UCI is just there to stamp licenses and make the regulations. The solution for cycling is very simple: organizers and riders should create their own federation and take over the sport," added LeMond, known for his strong stance against doping.

The American's comments sounded like strong support for Tour de France organizers Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO), who are embroiled in a long feud with the UCI over the organization of the sport.

ASO are holding this year's Tour outside the jurisdiction of the UCI and have been accused of aiming to launch their own private cycling league.

LeMond said the UCI had lost its credibility in the past decade by failing to seriously tackle the doping problem.

"I like (current UCI president) Pat McQuaid very much, he's doing his best. But there are still too many shadows from the past at UCI, too many persons with a past of corruption," he said.

NEW SCANDALS

"The recent history of the UCI is not a good one," he added.

LeMond, who retired from competition in 1994, said the last 15 years had "killed him as a man who loves the sport".

"After the Festina doping scandal in 1998, they told us everything was solved and look what happened...

"Since then, every time there was a new scandal like in the past three years, I was going 'yeah!', knowing it was a step in the right direction."

LeMond, who won the Tour in 1986, 1989 and 1990, said he believed the time was ripe for a cycling renaissance.

"I'd love to be part of it and that's why I'm here. Last year I came on the Tour to ride on the course with my son. This year, I came because I believe it is time to stand up and speak out for a new cycling," he said.

Since the Tour, the Giro d'Italia and the Spanish Vuelta opted out of the UCI's ProTour series, launched three years ago, the UCI has been looking into expanding the range of international events by launching Tours in Russia and China.

"It is all very well to try and export cycling by launching Tours in Russia and China but cycling is the Tour de France and you don't export the Tour," LeMond said.

Asked about LeMond's comments, McQuaid told Reuters the American did not know what he was talking about.

"Once again, he's talking about something he doesn't know anything about. What is his qualification to talk about it?" said McQuaid.

"Anyway, it is nothing surprising. We have been saying for a while that it was ASO's decision to start a private league. What LeMond says does not make any difference."

(Additional reporting by Julien Pretot, Editing by Clare Fallon)