The Trek bicycle company, the nation’s best-selling bike company, has asked a court to intervene to allow it to sever its ties to three-time Tour de France winner Greg LeMond, the Associated Press reported today.
Trek President John Burke said Tuesday that LeMond had a “troubling pattern of inconsistent business dealings” and that his outspokenness about doping had hurt sales of the LeMond brand of Trek-made road bikes.
LeMond’s attorney defended the champion and said the company was attempting to muzzle his comments on doping.
“Doping is a very important topic for our industry,” Burke responded. “We never discouraged Greg from speaking out about doping in cycling. We know there is a difference between attacking an issue and destroying reputations. Greg’s public comments damaged the LeMond brand, and our reputation with retailers and consumers.”
LeMond made headlines last year when he testified against Floyd Landis at Landis’ arbitration hearing on charges that he used testosterone to help him win the 2006 Tour. LeMond contended Landis admitted doping in a telephone conversation with him. Landis, a Lancaster County native, has flatly rejected the account of the call and has steadfastly denied using testosterone. Landis, who was stripped of his title, is now appealing his case before the international Court of Arbitration for Sport.
LeMond has also been critical of the only other American to win the Tour de France, Lance Armstrong. Armstrong won the race for seven consecutive years riding Trek bikes and has close ties with the company.
Burke reported told LeMond last fall that the company planned not to renew its contract with him when it expired in 2010. LeMond filed suit last month accusing the company of breach of contract and asking for an injunction to keep Trek from ending the deal. Trek responded Tuesday with its own lawsuit asking its permission to break the contract.
Trek sells 1.5 million bikes a year and does about $700 million in sales. It’s LeMond brand represents $15 million in sales annually.
