Greg LeMond, the American cycling legend who claimed the Tour de France title three times in 1986, 1989, and 1990, has publicly shared that he is living with leukemia. At age 60, he revealed in a statement that his diagnosis is Chronic Myeloid Leukemia, a form of cancer that he describes as treatable and not life-threatening when managed properly with modern medicine.
LeMond explained that the illness came to light after a period of persistent fatigue and burnout, which prompted a routine checkup. A blood test set off a chain of investigations, culminating in a bone marrow biopsy. The results, received last Friday, confirmed the official diagnosis. He emphasized that the discovery happened after several weeks of feeling unwell, rather than a sudden onset of severe symptoms.
The athlete noted that he has already begun a chemotherapy protocol under the guidance of medical professionals in the United States, with care teams at a leading university hospital and a renowned medical center involved in the treatment plan. The collaborative approach aims to tailor a therapy that balances effectiveness with the patient’s quality of life during treatment.
LeMond stressed that hearing the word cancer is never easy, yet knowing the specific diagnosis brings a sense of clarity. He and his medical team have outlined a treatment path that is expected to start promptly. He anticipates that the initial weeks of therapy may bring some symptoms, but he remains hopeful about the overall trajectory and the potential for meaningful improvement over time. The aim, he stated, is to achieve remission in the coming months while maintaining as much normalcy as possible in daily life.
According to LeMond, the long-term outlook is encouraging, and he feels fortunate to be surrounded by a skilled team of doctors at LeMond Bicycles alongside the unwavering support of family, friends, and colleagues. He expressed gratitude for the backing from his broader community and the resilience he expects to draw from it throughout the treatment journey.