What is Greg LeMond's net worth?
Greg LeMond is a retired professional road racing cyclist and entrepreneur who has a net worth of $40 million. As a professional cyclist, LeMond won the World Championship twice and the Tour de France three times. He was the very first American to win the Tour de France. He was involved in a bitter feud with fellow cyclist Lance Armstrong, and he was outspoken about the use of performance-enhancing drugs in cycling. LeMond's stance on doping earned him many critics in the cycling community, but he remained committed to his beliefs.
Early Life
Greg LeMond grew up in a cycling family, and his father was a competitive cyclist who encouraged him to take up the sport. He showed great promise as a young cyclist, and by the age of 18, he was competing in international races.
Early Cycling Career
LeMond started competing in 1976, and after dominating the Intermediate category and winning the first 11 races he entered, he received permission to ride against older, more seasoned competitors in the Junior (16-19) category. LeMond was a standout amateur rider that was exceptionally gifted, and quickly established himself as one of the most talented cyclists on the professional circuit. His first professional victory came three months into his 1981 debut when he won a stage of the French Tour de l'Oise. He followed with a win in the Coors Classic in the United States.
At 18 years old he was the youngest person ever to be selected for a US Olympics team (at that point). Unfortunately, the United States' boycott of the Moscow games prevented him from actually being able to compete in the games.
Tour de France
LeMond rode his first Tour de France in 1984, finishing third in support of team leader Laurent Fignon, and winning the white jersey of the Best Young Rider classification. He went on to win the Tour de France two more times and also placed in several other tours throughout the world. He was the first American to win the Tour de France.
LeMond's success in cycling was not without challenges. In 1987, he suffered a near-fatal gunshot wound while hunting, which threatened to end his career. However, he recovered and went on to achieve even greater success, proving his resilience and determination.
LeMond was known for his tactical prowess, his ability to read the race, and his exceptional climbing abilities. He was a pioneer in the use of aerodynamic equipment and was the first cyclist to use aero handlebars in competition. His success in cycling paved the way for future American cyclists, and he is widely regarded as a trailblazer in the sport.
Retirement
In 1994, he found he was unable to race effectively and announced his retirement in December of that year. At the time the reasons for LeMond's increasing difficulties and inability to compete were not entirely known. At a loss, he speculated that a condition known as mitochondrial myopathy might be responsible for the difficulty he was having performing against the current riders. In 2007, LeMond speculated that he might not have had the condition after all, and suggested that lead toxicity from the shotgun pellets still embedded in his body might have been responsible, the effects of which were increased by heavy training.
However, since 2010 LeMond acknowledged that the increasing prevalence of doping contributed to his lack of competitiveness, and he has spoken out against doping for many years since then.
Entrepreneurship
After retiring from cycling, LeMond turned his attention to entrepreneurship. He established the LeMond Composites company, which specializes in carbon fiber technology and produces high-performance bikes and other products.
In 2002, LeMond, Bernie Boglioli, and others founded LeMond Fitness, Inc. to help individuals achieve their fitness and performance goals and train more effectively. The company's primary business is the development and manufacturing of bicycle trainers and indoor exercise bikes for consumers in the United States and internationally.
LeMond's entrepreneurship has been marked by innovation and a commitment to sustainability. He has been recognized for his efforts in promoting clean energy and for his work in developing new technologies.
He has also dabbled a bit in the real estate market investing in properties like the Yellowstone Club in Montana.
Personal Life
Greg LeMond married Kathy Morris in 1981 and together they have three children, Geoffrey, Scott and daughter Simone.
LeMond and his wife live in Medina, Minnesota and since his retirement, LeMond has become increasingly involved in philanthropic efforts relating to causes that have affected him personally (including ADHD and sexual abuse); he and Kathy both sit on the board of the non-profit 1 in 6.
He is the founder of the LeMond Foundation, which supports cycling-related causes and cancer research.
