This was the episode that changed everything for the podcast.
When Greg LeMond agreed to sit down with Anthony, we knew it would be significant. What we didn't know was that it would become the most downloaded episode in Roadman Cycling history — and that it would generate a second part because there was simply too much to cover in one sitting.
LeMond didn't hold back. The three-time Tour de France champion talked about the things that most people in professional cycling are still afraid to say out loud.
Why This Interview Matters
Greg LeMond occupies a unique position in cycling history. He was the first American to win the Tour de France. He won it three times. And he was arguably the first major figure in the sport to publicly challenge the culture of doping — at enormous personal and professional cost.
His story isn't just about cycling. It's about what happens when one person refuses to stay silent in an industry that demands it.
The Two-Part Conversation
The interview spans two episodes because the story is that large. It covers LeMond's entire arc — from the prodigy who dominated European cycling as a teenager, through the hunting accident that nearly killed him, to the comeback that remains one of sport's greatest stories, and finally to the years-long battle against the doping culture that would define his legacy more than any race result.
Part 1: The Rise and the Accident
LeMond's journey into professional cycling started earlier than most people realise. He was racing in Europe as a teenager, holding his own against riders twice his age. By the time he joined Bernard Hinault's team, he was already one of the most talented cyclists the sport had ever produced.
The relationship with Hinault — his teammate and rival at the 1986 Tour de France — is one of cycling's great dramas. LeMond's account of what happened on the road, and what was said behind closed doors, adds layers to a story that cycling historians are still debating.
Then came the hunting accident in 1987. Shot by his own brother-in-law with a shotgun. A collapsed lung. Massive blood loss. Thirty-seven pellets that remain in his body to this day. The doctors said he might never race again.
Part 2: The Comeback and the Fight
What LeMond did next is the part that resonates most deeply with Roadman's audience. He came back. Not just to ride, but to win. The 1989 Tour de France — decided by 8 seconds in the final time trial — remains the closest and most dramatic finish in the race's history.
But it was after his racing career that LeMond's real fight began. As the sport descended into the EPO era, LeMond was one of the only prominent voices calling it out. The professional and personal consequences were severe.
Why It Resonates with Our Audience
The most downloaded episode on the Roadman Cycling Podcast isn't a training tips video. It's not a nutrition breakdown. It's a conversation about integrity, resilience, and refusing to accept that the game is over.
That's the "Not Done Yet" energy at its purest. LeMond's story is proof that the most important thing in cycling — and in life — isn't your power numbers. It's whether you keep going when everything tells you to stop.
Listen to the Full Interview
Both parts of the Greg LeMond interview are available in the Roadman archive. They're the episodes we recommend to anyone who asks where to start with the podcast.
Key Takeaways
- LeMond was the first American Tour de France winner and won it three times
- His hunting accident in 1987 put 37 pellets in his body — he came back to win the Tour two more times
- The 1989 Tour was decided by 8 seconds in the final time trial — the closest in history
- LeMond was one of the first major figures to publicly challenge doping in professional cycling
- His fight against the sport's culture of silence cost him sponsorships, friendships, and his reputation
- The two-part interview is the most downloaded episode in Roadman Cycling history
- For more landmark interviews, listen to Lachlan Morton on why he quit the World Tour
- The Pogacar training story shows how modern coaching has evolved since LeMond's era
- Browse the full podcast archive and guest directory for more conversations
- See our best cycling podcasts guide for where to listen next
