Lance Armstrong Expects Drug Test Flap to Keep Him Out of Tour de France

In a video on his web site, Lance Armstrong says he thinks it's likely he'll be prevented from riding in this summer's Tour de France because of a dispute with French officials over drug-testing procedures. The video is below.


"There is a very high likelihood that they will prohibit me from riding in the Tour," Armstrong said.

The dispute is in connection with a drug tester who showed up at Armstrong's home unexpected and demanded a sample. Armstrong took a shower and declined to submit to the drug test -- blood, urine and hair samples -- until he had time to ensure that the man was, in fact, a drug tester.

The French anti-doping agency took the delay as evidence that Armstrong "didn't respect the obligation to remain under observation of the person in charge of the doping control."

And so the greatest rider in the history of the Tour may never ride in the Tour again.