Kos wants to make America love cycling again after the Armstrong era: ‘I think that’s more important than inviting me to the White House’
The American has a special mission, he says in a conversation with Heroes Magazine. He wants to get America excited about cycling again. “I thought it was great to receive such great feedback from all over America after winning the Vuelta. Outside of the Tour de France, it’s hard to follow major cycling races in America.”
“The Tour is big. If you can win it as an American, you can visit the White House or play golf with the president, like Armstrong once did.”
For many Americans, cycling remains synonymous with the time of Lance Armstrong. “In America, I still regularly remember the Armstrong era and the doping years. It is difficult to convince people that sport today is different from what it was then,” he added.
The interview with Oprah Winfrey, in which Armstrong confessed, changed a lot in American cycling. There are no (road) races across the ocean anymore. “The admission of doping by Armstrong and other top former athletes had a huge impact on the popularity of the sport in America. People have lost faith in clean sport.”
White House
So Koss’ mission is to change that image. “I’m still trying to explain that today’s sport is very different, but it takes time before that message is believed. That’s why it’s important to have another American Tour winner who shows that you too can take the yellow jersey with you. Take it home clean.”
“My mission is for the people of America to bring cycling back into their hearts. I think that’s more important than receiving them at the White House or playing golf with the president.”
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