Armstrong slams shock jock over anti-cycling comments

Armstrong called ESPN's Tony Kornheiser a "complete f-ing idiot" on his Twitter page, saying the comments were "disgusting, ignorant" and "foolish."

Kornheiser, who has recently returned to the airwaves after being suspended for criticising a female colleague for "dressing too young," launched into a rant about cyclists while discussing a new cycle lane in Washington.

"The last time I looked, the roads were made for automobiles," he said. "We're going to be dominated as if this was Beijing by hundreds of thousands of bicyclists."

The broadcaster also mocked cycling clothes before urging motorists to run over those for ride bikes.

"They all wear, my God, with the little water bottle in the back and the stupid hats and their shiny shorts," he said.

"They are the same disgusting poseurs that in the middle of a snowstorm come out with cross-country skiing on your block. Run 'em down.

"Let them use the right, I'm OK with that. I don't take my car and ride on the sidewalk because I understand that's not for my car. Why do these people think that these roads were built for bicycles? They dare you to run them down."

Armstrong, who is considered a legend of the sport after winning the Tour de France seven times, reacted with anger, writing on his Twitter page: "Disgusting, ignorant, foolish. What a complete f-ing idiot."

He also encouraged his Twitter followers to complain to ESPN, saying: "Tony Kornheiser on cyclists on the road: 'run 'em down'. Really? Big mistake, Tony."