Me thinks the French don't like Mr Armstrong?!

Well, he's crapped all over them everytime he's ridden out there. It would give the cronies at l'Equipe the best year of their lives if they found even a hint of something in Armstrong's vicinity.

24 tests since his return!? it's unbelievable. And whilst eh French doping agencies, WADA and the UCI are targeting Armstrong how many other riders are they missing?

If lnce wins this year i've no doubt whatsoever they'll stitch him up somehow.

this article has one side of the opinion - and I think that the AFLDs side of the story should be viewed also

Lance and Bruyneel know all about who the AFLD are, they are the national testing agency in France (where he lives a good chunk of the year and has raced for a good decade) so the second paragraph I think is disingenuous

Also the rules clearly state that anyone who races professionally in France has to have the tester present with the rider until the test is completed - this has not happened.

Armstrong's side of the story is that the tester said 'no problem, take a shower' and the whole thing from arrival to test completion took 20 mins ish

the AFLD side of the story is that Armstrong disappeared for half an hour to the bathroom before the tester could perform the test

If the tester did have issues with the test - why didnt he come back the next day ?

I've read all the versions, from the reports the day after the test to what Bruyneel said to ESPN yesterday. Johan said the testing part took about an hour and a half. The hair tests for DHEA cost $500, and I can't imagine a tester telling someone it's OK to go ahead and wash his hair with whatever he might have available and possibly affect the sample. I don't know the science involved, or if some kind of cleaner could make a difference. I was a Lance fan but don't trust his stories any more. When he crashed behind a moto at the Tour of California, why not admit that the photog was his good friend and personal photographer? I'd think that he would have wanted to do this test the best of the 24 because it was in France.

Lances answer sounds credible - but then you think - he's been a professional in Europe , as has Johan, for a LOT of years.

That he could claim not to know that French authorities test athletes in France strains credulity. Johan and Lance are professionals, and if they don't know the rules of their job, then who does? Come on....

It doesn't matter if he takes a nice long shower, the hair sample can not be altered by any cleaning products.

I just don't know what to think with Armstrong anymore. IF he is a cheat then he is the best of the best and it seem's nothing will stick to him. On the other hand, the authorities DO seem to have it in for him.

I also think that his image is more important than his riding at the moment - but when he states that he is riding for cancer now - how can anyone go against that? There is a lot of unanswered questions and I feel there will be a lot more to come! But saying all that - good luck Lance!

It doesn't surprise me one bit the lengths these people will go to. The guy is in his late 30's, has not tested positive after 24 tests, did not race for 1274 days, survived cancer...and he is still competing at a world class level. Now either he's tied into some secret security level doctors, the likes of which the world has never seen nor heard of. Or, he's the greatest cyclist..nay athlete, the world has ever seen. Either way I'm impressed. You go Lance! Who gives a f**& about the loser Frenchies. Your American fans got your back all the way.

Sorry guys, I am french myself. I try to keep neutral with all this doping issues.

As sport guy, I think I would not like to be asked by an unknown person about my blood just after returning a work out in the street...

on the other hand, let me just pinpoint that Bike Rader always published direct statement coming from Lance... but no change for the French agency to give its statement. it is not fair.

Shame they weren't testing him as much when he was more 'competitive' eh?

Lets face it, this is a current non-story.

it should be against the law for any test results or irregularities to be made public until the rider/athlete has been confirmed positive or guilty of breaking testing rules. Again negative results are non-stories.

As for Lance..... Yawn..... Twat.... Wa.......

I totaly agree with Miles Cycling except on one point, not only the american fans, but the international fans, well except maybe for the french....

I am not a big fan of Lance Armstrong, but it clearly seems that these out-of-competition surprise tests are not well organized (multiple possible involveld organizations; sometimes out-of-bound behavior of testing guy...).

The fact that professionnal cyclists usualy don't train as a team, but mainly train on their own, surely make such tests difficult.

What a complete and utter joke!

mermoz - why should the authorities be allowed to publish a statement when they're clearly out to drag Armstrong's name through the dirt, he passed this test, like every one beforehand, yet they still publicize slanderous material which has no merit of truth attached to it.

Ok, so he came back from a day long training ride, and then he wanted a shower because he was tired/sweaty etc..all the while his friend is in company of a man who's true identity hadn't yet been confirmed, and then he passes said tests. WHERE'S THE GOD DAMN PROBLEM?

There's is nothing that he could have done in that half hour, or any short period of time really, which could have masked his results, next they'll be claiming he's had blood transfusions or some ridiculous rubbish.

Good on you lance for that statement, and get bent to the French (and other "authorities") who follow him around trying to get him in what seems to be their idea of a surprise attack, too bad it wasn't a success, and never will be.

Imagine what would be published if he did test positive...

..me thinks some people can't handle that he's better than them or their preferred athletes. Get over yourselves.

So much racism/bigotry/whatever you want to call it from the americans directed towards the French! Amazingly stupid in my humblest opinion. No wonder americans are not well liked the world over with this attitude towards other countries and their inhabitants. Time to grow up USA.

I'd like to add my tuppence worth. I'm no fan of Lance, like a few people here. However I can't help but feel a little bit sorry for him. It does seem on the face of it that the French authorities want to find anything to attack his character and damage him publicly. I can't understand that, with this clumsy approach, the testing authorities cant see this will do nothing but stir up animosity towards them and give Lance support where he wouldn't usually find it.

If they have anything which can be used as evidence of foul play it should be presented in the right way and not leaked to the press. Methinks there's nothing in this allegation of any substance.

I think there are a lot of people out there, after Lance because he was the best in the tour, some of these x cyclists trying to make a point, or is it just a vendetta against Lance, being that Lance has had 24th unannounced drug test since he announced his return to cycling last fall is just ridicules. How would you like a man chasing you up the street after a long day training, I don’t think I would be that happy, bearing in mind that this person papers were not in order, and lance did not recognise the company, i think he done the right thing by phoning up the proper authorities, if the inspector was not happy that lance wanted to take a shower, he should have been with him at all times, to make sure that nothing untoward was happening, or came back the next day for a second check with all paperwork correct, I think the French governing body should take a look at themselves and sort themselves out.

I HAVE TOTALLY HAD IT WITH MR DOPESTRONG, HIS ACTIONS ARE SUSPICIOUS AND ONLY PROVE THAT HE HAS SOMETING TO HIDE. WHEN WILL PEOPLE COP ON TO HIS CHEATING WAYS, TYPICALLY BIKERADAR SUPPORTS HIM, ARE THEY SUPPORTING DRUG USE!! CAN THEY PLEASE BE UNBIASED!! LANCE IS NO HERO!! HE BRINGS SHAME N DISREPUTE TO CLEAN CYCLIST ALL AROUND THE WORLD... SHAME ON YOU MR DOPESTRONG!!

It does seem that some people will only be happy if Lance does test positive. iI'm all for targetting people, but if you're going to do that (and it does seem that LA is being targetted), you gotta get your intelligence right, like with Riccò, or David Millar.

Let's remember that Lance won 7 tours, riding with great panache. Let's remember that his account of how he became a great climber (losing weight) has credibility. Let's remember that, if he won clean, that's a great story, not a bad one. Let's remember that, for all that people will say LA is a jerk, he's liked and respected by Indurain, and that he's been hounded and hassled for years.

I'm not necessarily coming to the defence of LA here, so don't all jump on me, but there have been plenty of stories over the last few years of French officials showing up out the blue to test riders and literally harassing them. At the most insensitive disgraceful moments too. I don't remember his name, but there was the one rider a few years ago who was going into the funeral home to arrange the service of his recently dead young son and an official wanted a sample. Only refused to let him go in, or do it at a later date. If this rider didn't let the sample be taken at this guys demand, he was going to be banned without any hearing or sympathy.

Armstrong has done more than his fair share of baiting the French authorities in the past so brings a lot of it on himself at times, but there are most certainly questions to be asked of the behaviour and attitude toward their 'power' the French testers have.

Their continued silence on the matter in the face of such well documented arrogance and behaviour speaks as much volume for me as does LA's periodic devisive mouthing off.

I really don't know why they don' leave the guy alone, christ, he doesn't need to ride for money or glory, he's doing it for other people's benefit, worldwide not just his counrtymen (this includes Frenchmen). The man is an absolute legend & for anyone to think he'd put shit in his system that could potentially harm him after what he's been through is unbelievable. If any of us "normal" cyclists could get any where near his standards would be an absolute dream. Sure the guy must come across as as agorrant to some to some people, but hey, he's a winner not a conformist.

oops replicated myself a couple of times there, that's interruption from kid's for you!

Keep the rubber side down fellas !!

Just read Mrex's comments, how can you call the guy a twat or wanker? have you met him ? has his abused you or yourfamiliy ?

My Father died of cancer at 56(who never smoked or drank in is life if that has anything to do with it), 2 weeks after my first child was born & for anyone to disrespect someone who is doing his utmost to fight the disease that took not only my Father away from me but my son's Grandfather is friggin stupid, the guy loves riding riding bikes like you, ok he's made a shedload of money from it, but that's cos' he's bloody good at it. Would you be so accomodating if someone ept turning every time you were knackered on your doorstep wanting some of your hair n pee etc?

He's had so many tests, none positive, and yet the haters still reckon he's on something?

Jeez!

We all know drug use in cycling is an epidemic n has to be stamped out... Lance has failed drug test in the past, what about the suspicious drug results from when he was racing in the" tours", from my recollection there was five test that were inconclusive and did show trace elements of steroids in his blood... there is no smoke without fire!! i feel for anyone who has had cancer but this does not mean that he is above the law, and as for the muppets that think the French are picking on the America, cop on, get on your bikes n get some air into your head!!

Tomred,

If i recollect correctly, & it's possible i'm wrong, but i think the traces of steroids were from medication he was taking at the time, i don't think they were cancer related .

You want fries with that?

The way I see it, the Tester is in a JAM, because his his claims that he instructed Armstrong to stay in his vicinity are contradicted by Armstrong (obviously) but also Bruneel and at least one other witness. The story above says there were FIVE people total present when this all went down.

So you have a guy who's credentials may not have met international requirements, whose statements are contradicted by the athlete, but also 3rd-party witnesses. Sounds like "amatuer-hour" to me!

Also, I thought testers always showed up in teams of 2. Is that just USADA? That would have bolstered the claims of the tester as to what he REALLY instructed Lance to do.

This feels like a situation where the tester went in under-trained or unprepared, told Lance he could take a shower, and then when this turned into a media Sh1t-storm ho got pressure and help from AFLD to "massage" his story, despite the fact that there are other witnesses.

We'll never see it reported, but I bet this tester is very quietly censured internally by AFLD and and takes a new job someplace in upper Uzbekistan with a ridiculous payoff with a legal agreement not to discuss the matter. They could say, "We sacked him because he failed to live up to very most scrupulous and exacting standards of the AFLD, but the athlete still failed to follow the rules".

Tomred - Lance's "failed" drugs tests were related to a skin cream to saddle sores, which he'd been cleared to use.

More serious are L'Euipe's allegations of EPO use in the 1999 tour. However, one has to agree with LA that it is suspicious that his name, and his name alone, is leaked to the press. Also, do we know what happened to the samples over time? Who had access to them? How were they stored?