the french will be shooting themselves in the foot if they stop lance racing in the tour, the extra publicity he will bring will benefit all number of businesses etc not to mention the reason he is doing it, to rasie awareness of cancer!!! is that not good enough for the french? that every single test of the 24 that have been done have proved negative? wonder what the most any other pro has been tested is? bet its not even half that, soon they will have enough hair and blood to create their own working model of lance, frankenstein style!!!

If Lance isn't racing the TdF, I'm not watching it.

I'm fed up of this witch hunt, and if they are not going to let the best racer in the world race, then it's a second rate event.

Paranoid and smacks of a little kid taking his ball home cos he doesn't like the score. Armstrong isn't above the rules and this is a pathetic attempt to sway public opinion against 'The French'.:(

I second epicyclo... I'm sick of the Frenchies bashing Lance after they allowed Richard "I'm the biggest drug cheat to ever be allowed to race the Tour again" Virenque back in just because he got all the wibbly, wobbly, old French women weak at the knees!

Lance hasn't even been caught cheating and he's the most tested racer in cycling history! I won't be watching if he's denied entry.

I kinda agree with epicyclo, don't really care either way, let them ALL race CLEAN, may the best man win, regardless who it is, i'm newish to cycling so I come with no preconceptions, learning bout the greats of the sport, but god, the backwards witch hunting attitude of the sport is so boring, the dopers are getting caught let the testers do there jobs and surly us as 'fans' of the sport concentrate on the good sides of the sport, definatly have a opinion but this constant either way or either or, is just as bad and poisoned as doping is to the sport...........

im with epicyclo i was planning to go france and follow the tour but if lance aint in it then im not goin!

Pork Sword, the only reason that Virenque was allowed back into the Tour was because the UCI insisted. Leblanc certainly didn't want him in the race saying: "his presence would be incompatible with the image of the Tour, and the one we want to preserve" and "If Virenque won the Tour, it would be a very serious setback for our race".

As to Pharmstrong, this incident looks as thought it was deliberately engineered by him so that he had another excuse to indulge in one of his favourite hobbies - feeding and exploiting anti-French xenophobia, especially in the USA.

I think it's pretty sad that it has got to the point where riders are constantly tested. Lets get back to the days of good honest sportsmanship.

This debate is boring and has been boring for years.

Let him race until you find him guilty of taking performance enhancing crap.

the tour the france is older n bigger than lance, they dont need him as an ambasador for the sport, some of ur comments are crazy! the tour doesnt need mr armstrong, and he is the most tested rider because years ago he did test positive for steroids which he claimed were a result of his chemotherapy and cancer treatment, i think he actually had 5 positive results and his tour victories are hollow and not fairly won in my opinion,. I dont support any drug use by any cyclist of any nationality! but lance certainly only helps fuel the comments that he is up to somthing.. people who feel the french are out to get him should get out on their bikes and get some air into their heads.. Watch and read what greg lemond has to say about mr armstrong!!!! theres no smoke without fire!!!

mylesrants, please stick to the topic as you really are making an absolutle prick of your self.

A bit strange for one drug tester to turn up because I would have thought there would be two or more to witness any events such as this. If both testers say that Lance broke the rules then it's fair cop and he should be slapped on the wrist but with only one tester to witness the "goings on" then it would be one person's word against another. I can't see how this could stand up?

-jerry

I think Mr mylesrants should keep it off the Cancer theme as most families have had some Cancer in their past. Not going to get much support there mate.

Getting a little bit crazy!!?!!

Cheers Jerry

>e did test positive for steroids which he claimed were a result of his chemotherapy >and cancer treatment, i think he actually had 5 positive results and his tour victories >are hollow

What ? Where did you get this made up bunch of nonsense, posting it on the web doesn't make it true. If your referring to the 1999 sample, well shows how much research you put into "I think"

24 tests since September? If this was anyother sport they would be suing for harrasment

For me this just hi lights how pathetic the management of cycling is IF lance has done wrong ban him, ban him from all racing for ever, but IF he has done wrong don't have one country saying he's done wrong and then the UCI saying he was within his rights (see news section this site) IF he is in the clear then this is all slander and should be treated as muc.

Can you imagine what would have happened in ... F1 if going into Brazil they had banned hamilton from that race (for spying) BUT only the Brazilian govenment, there would have been uproar in england (ok maybe not everybody but you get my point) Its like the Baso case a couple of years ago where the test result of the second sample was ignored because it wasn't done in a french lab and the testing procedure was different ... it's all right going on a about passports e.t.c, but for the good of the sport this sort of thing has to be seen as impartial and independant and this case appears to be neither, regardless of the names involved, this is not good for the credibility of the sport or those running it

PS Don't bring to organisers of the Tour de France into it, this has nothing to do with them other than it being in france

As much as I don't like Lance (or, rather, Lance's massive ego), I think this random testing was pretty sketchy. Sure, he's probably doped before, and might even be doping now, but for crying out loud... the UCI should take charge here and implement a comprehensive, mandatory, and consistent testing for ALL pro cyclists. No more private testing outfits and no more team-conducted testing... that's just asking for more trouble. Get it right, UCI!!

Lance may be innocent here, and may be as guilty as ever, but I can see the root of his frustration on this one. Poor American.

Lance you big baby, just suck it up and get on with it. Sure it's unfair on you, just go prove them wrong. Although I would rather see you lose on a more level playing field.

They'll catch him one day. I can't belive the public can be so naive as to think he has accomplished what he has without 'assistance'.Lance Armstrongs return to cycling has caused nothing but controversy.Our wonderful sport does not need negative publicity like this,It's precarious enough. Go back to Texas and be governor you yank.

You were a fake the first time round ,your a fake now.I think your a fraud Lance.How come you became this 'superman 'after your amazing recovery from cancer.Iwish you the very best in health, but could you not just leave cycling alone to pick up the pieces that have been smashed to bits over the past decade in the public eye?P.s good luck in your political career,your made for it.You are a master of bull"%^&....!!!

shamey, it is clearly pointless trying to have a mature debate with you as you have demonstrated above.

So, sinking to your level. You are a dickhead!

To be objective in this issue you have to remove the fact that Lance Armstrong is the alleged rider in this case. It must be an unbiased analysis of the facts. There is clearly much sentiment here both for and against and that is clouding the issue.

jerry 3571 makes a good point in that only one tester turned up. How could any inconsistencies be corroborated?

Furthermore, if the rider knew the protocol in relation to testing then why would he take a shower?

All the tested samples proved negative. If the testers suspected there was a compromise or a chance of one when the rider took a shower, they (the samples) shouldn't have been tested until this diciplinary issue had been resolved one way or another. otherwise it appears to strengthen the rider's case if they come back negative.

ZZZZZZzzzzzzzz.................I'm going for a ride.

Cycling is like bodybuilding, everybody (dopes) does it, but there is always a winner.

TDF is a joke, Lance is one of the characters in it...