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Armstrong dodges doping bullets in Liège Lance Armstrong
faces the press two days before he starts his attempt to
make Tour de France history.
Five-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong looked
intense and hot under the collar at a pre-Tour press
conference in Liège on Thursday as he fended off questions
about controversial doping allegations two days ahead of the
race's opening time trial prologue, writes Justin Davis.
US Postal's 32-year-old champion did not, as some expected,
launch a charm offensive ahead of what will prove a tough
three weeks of racing during which he is likely to come
under further questioning from an ever-inquisitive press
corps. Instead he said he had little comment to make about a
book, 'LA Confidential - the Secrets of Lance Armstrong',
which cites former colleagues who allege he has taken performance-
enhanching products.
One of the book's co-authors, David Walsh, was present at
the press conference and a defiant Armstrong reiterated his
threat to fight the award-winning Sunday Times journalist
and his French co-writer, Pierre Ballester, in the courts.
"No," an intense-looking Armstrong replied when asked if the
controversial allegations had upset his race preparations.
He added: "But I'll say one thing, since the esteemed author
is here. In my view, extraordinary accusations must be
followed up with extraordinary proof.
"Walsh and Ballester have had four or five years working on
the book, and they've still no proof. But I will spend
however long it takes and whatever it takes to show the
allegations are unfounded. I have already engaged lawyers in
England and France."
Armstrong at one point appeared to be trying to drive a
wedge between the journalists who doubt him and those who
have "sent me messages of support". He also responded to
questions about the Tour's recent hard line with riders who
have been or are implicated in doping cases.
The Tour organisers have recently excluded David Millar, the
Cofidis team leader who is alleged to have admitted taking
EPO, while his team-mate Cedric Vasseur - who was implicated
but never found guilty in a recent drugs affair - was
excluded from racing.
"It's a different predicament," said Armstrong. "But I
can't judge. All I know is that race organisers have taken
a very aggressive approach against doping ... to make the
race better for everyone involved. I can't really comment."
The American, however, said he was glad he had some friends
in the room.
"I have received a lot of positive messages from people
around the world these last few weeks, and messages of
support from some of the people in this room - you know who
you are - and I can appreciate that."
Jan Ullrich is, Armstrong confirmed, his main rival for the
yellow jersey, although the Texan admitted he would be
keeping his eye on a handful of other possible contenders.
"Jan seems to be better prepared than other years, so he's
the biggest rival. But there are between six and 10 others
who are very close, guys like Tyler (Hamilton), (Iban)
Mayo, (Ivan) Basso and (Haimar) Zubeldia. They're all
pretty close.
"Unfortunately we lost Vino," he added referring to
Alexandre Vinokourov, last year's third place finisher who
won't be racing following an injury in the Tour of
Switzerland. "But the race will be very tight."
The Alpe d'Huez time trial is expected to be the deciding
factor in what many expect to be an Armstrong v Ullrich
showdown. However, the American attempted to deflect the
spotlight from the duel, saying Mayo - who beat him by
almost two minutes in the Mont Ventoux time trial at the
Dauphiné Libéré - would be the favourite. "As we saw on the
Dauphiné, I'm perhaps not the best in those kind of time
trials," he said. "I suspect Mayo will win the stage."
In three weeks time, the world will know whether there's a
new Tour de France record of six victories, or a brand new
winner. But for now, Armstrong doesn't want to hear the
word 'legend'. "For me the word legend is more than six
letters. I'm not sure I'm ready to talk about that right
now. The Tour's not a one-day race and we just have to take
it day by day."
He added: "I still believe that it's the best man who wins
in Paris. Even if I'm second, it's the best man who wins
the race."