Lance Armstrong hits back
28/10/2005 19:27  - (SA)  

Want to know more? Answerit can help.

Leblanc has another go at Lance Experts to investigate Lance 'Lance's US team used EPO' Savoldelli backs Lance 'Sabotaged' Lance fights back More riders tested positive Cycling body: Lance is clean Door open for Lance to race Lance to get back on his bike 'Possible' comeback for Lance Armstrong comeback a joke! Angry Lance wants revenge 'Lance was probably doped' Lance pops the question Armstrong donates $500 000 US cycling leaders back Lance 'Armstrong's lie' Lance goes on counterattack Armstrong: It's preposterous

Austin, Texas - Seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong made a stinging reply to the latest put-down by Tour de France director Jean-Marie LeBlanc over doping accusations against the American star.

LeBlanc said on Thursday that he felt "disappointed and let down by Armstrong", the 34-year-old US cyclist who retired last July after his seventh consecutive victory in the gruelling stage race across France.

Allegations by the French newspaper L'Equipe claimed Armstrong used the banned hormone EPO (erythropoietin) in 1999 during his first Tour triumph, claims Armstrong has denied while the International Cycling Union investigates.

Armstrong, in a statement released on Friday, hit back at LeBlanc's critical comments regarding unproven allegations.

"Once again Jean-Marie LeBlanc has taken an unsolicited shot at me and continues to ignore the truth," Armstrong said.

"And while he may want to erase the last seven years I have nothing but great memories of participating in the greatest sports event in the world.

"Jean-Marie claims the Tour deserves a better fate. I believe it deserves a better leader."

For better or worse, the Tour will have a new leader soon. Leblanc will retire at the end of next year and Christian Prudhomme will take charge of cycling's greatest event.

- SAPA

What is this? Yahoo Digg Del.icio.us Facebook Brought to you by OUTsurance Car Insurance
	News24 Headlines on your Facebook profile		News24 on mobile

• Most Read
• Most Commented
• Most Emailed

Cop: Yengeni cover-up ordered
Clinton accepts top job
Michael turns Muslim

Pirates: We'll fight back
New frenzy over team Obama
Palin pardons turkey

Sinister end to Scorpions
Skierlik shooter gets 169 years
'Expats should be able to vote'

'Too bad for cricket'
Cope leaders lash out at Zuma
News24 Users sound off

Home Affairs managers 'inept'
Babies stressed by buggies
No yoga for Muslims in Malaysia

Annan, Carter refused entry
IEC considers expat vote request
Cop: Yengeni cover-up ordered