[AP via Chron.com]
The head of world cycling on Friday accused France’s anti-doping agency of unprofessional and “disturbing” behavior after it released a report saying Lance Armstrong did not fully cooperate with a drug tester.
The French agency, known as AFLD, said it could punish the seven-time Tour de France champion for not remaining in sight of the doctor conducting a test on his hair, urine and blood on March 17.
No banned substances were found and Armstrong has denied misbehaving, claiming that he was allowed to take a shower during a 20-minute delay.
While the tests fell outside the International Cycling Union’s jurisdiction, Armstrong received the organization’s backing on Friday.
“The fact (is) the test was done and was a matter of fact reported by Lance Armstrong himself on Twitter,” UCI president Pat McQuaid told the BBC. “Then the French authorities decided to make up a report on the testing procedure, forward it to the UCI — knowing that the UCI have no jurisdiction in this case — and at the same time that report has leaked to the press.
“So I would have to question why is that the case? I would have to say that the French are not acting very professionally in this case.”
Add to this past indiscretions regarding Lance, and their deplorable behavior during the Floyd Landis debacle, and you have an organization that's using anti-doping hysteria as a political tool to mask the deficiencies of their Nation's premier cyclists.
It's too bad that the greatest bike race in the land has come under the control of a group of seemingly unscrupulous, vindictive managers.
