Disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong will ride two stages of the Tour De France, it has been announced.
Armstrong, will join former Wolves and Crystal Palace player Geoff Thomas in a ride that hopes to raise £1m for Cure Leukaemia on stages 13 and 14, a day before the peloton rides the stages.
UCI President Brian Cookson has urged Thomas not to go ahead with Armstrong riding the two stages and said: "Lance would be well advised not to take part in that.
'I'm sure Geoff Thomas means well but frankly I think that's completely inappropriate."
Thomas said in an interview with the BBC : "We know Lance's involvement has split opinion so we've tried to be as respectful as possible.
"The stages Lance will be riding come towards the end of week two when I know all the (charity) riders will need some support.
"I know his arrival will give them the encouragement they will need to carry on with this gruelling challenge and in turn raise as much money as possible for blood cancer patients."
Source: DSG
