SPORTS

Lance Armstrong riding part of Tour de France route for 'good cause'

The Associated Press Published Monday, March 23, 2015 12:17PM EDT

Lance Armstrong stripped of 7 Tour de France titles

Lance Armstrong grimaces prior to the start of the third stage of the Tour de France cycling race in Wanze, Belgium, July 6, 2010. (AP / Christophe Ena)

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PARIS -- The 1987 winner of the Tour de France supports Lance Armstrong riding part of this July's route to raise funds against blood cancer.

Stephen Roche says "it's for a very good cause" and adds "he hasn't killed anybody."

Former English soccer player Geoff Thomas invited Armstrong on the unofficial charity ride. To raise $1.5 million, Thomas plans to ride on the Tour route a day before the professional peloton.

Armstrong said he was "honoured and humbled" to take part for a couple of days. The head of world cycling, UCI President Brian Cookson, called Armstrong's participation "ill-advised" and "disrespectful to the Tour de France." Armstrong is banned for life from organized sports for doping.

Roche says "it's a charity event. There will be no podium."