Geoff Thomas charity ride row: Lance Armstrong well-advised to pull out of event

The head of cycling body UCI criticised the move to sign up disgraced cyclist Armstrong for the summer event.

But former Wolves star Geoff has defended involving Armstrong in Le Tour – One Day Ahead, which will see 20 cyclists ride the route of the famous race in a bid to raise £1m for Cure Leukaemia.

Thomas has known Armstrong for years and recently visited him in America to ask him to take part.

Mr Cookson said Armstrong was being 'completely disrespectful' by taking part in the event.

And he added: "I think Lance would be well-advised not to take part in that."

Thomas, who played for Wolves from 1993 to 1997, was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2003 and has since raised millions for charity.

He said that while he understood the backlash regarding Armstrong's involved, the American played a 'critical' role in his leukaemia battle, with the cyclist having beaten testicular cancer.

Thomas, aged 50, said: "When I was being treated for blood cancer I was inspired by Lance Armstrong's book It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life.

"It gave me strength to deal with my predicament and a purpose which crystallised into the 2005 charity ride along the route of the Tour de France.

"We have stayed in touch intermittently – he presented me with the Helen Rollason Award at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award in 2005 – and have had occasional chats over the last year about how he might support my charity endeavours.

"I went to see him a few weeks ago at his home in Austin and he genuinely wants to help improve the situation of those with blood cancer.

"We are still confirming the details of how Armstrong will support Le Tour – One Day Ahead, but it is likely to involve him riding a couple of stages with us and hosting a training camp for the team."

Thomas wrestled with the moral dilemma for 12 months before approaching Armstrong after deciding the pair's stories are so closely intertwined and weighing up the interest the Texan could generate.

Armstrong was banned from competitive sport after admitting doping.

In January he complained he was prevented from walking an organised marathon to raise funds for charity.

From next summer, however, the World Anti-Doping Agency code will permit the Texan to participate in sports other than cycling and triathlon. He was banned for life from those sports in August 2012. Mr Cookson said the UCI has no authority to stop Amstrong's bid, but urged the American, who has been stripped of his seven Tour de France titles, to think again.

He rejected the argument Armstrong should be handed some slack despite his life ban, even though his summer stunt ostensibly could raise big funds for charity.

He said: "I've heard that reason rolled out throughout Lance's career as well.

"I'm not critical of people trying to raise funds for charity, let's be clear. But I think maybe Lance could find a better way of continuing his fundraising efforts than this.

"Lance Armstrong can ride his bike around France as often as he likes, it's got nothing to do with me or the UCI."

Asked if he would not be cheering on Armstrong this summer, Cookson said: "I think you can make that assumption."

Ron Moule, president of Wolverhampton Wheelers Cycling Club, said Armstrong should stay well away from all cycling.

He said: "If they take drugs then they shouldn't be involved.

"Armstrong was a wonderful racer but to find all that out afterwards leaves a bad taste. Geoff's getting a lot of publicity and he's doing a really good job.

"But I don't think Lance should be getting all this attention. He should keep himself to himself. This is taking the limelight away from the real cyclists."