Lance Armstrong hits back

2005-10-28 19:27

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