Battle of words between Tour de France winners

Five-times Tour de France winner Bernard Hinault has struck out at Lance Armstrong’s chance of winning this year.

In short, according to Hinault, he hasn’t got one.

“I hope he will not be there. Is he afraid of France? Nobody forced him to come, he only has to stay home! He cannot win the Tour. I hope that Contador gives him a beating.”

Strong words indeed, but not as strong as Armstrong’s reaction on Twitter;

“What a wanker. 5 TdF wins doesn’t buy you any common sense.”

Winning the Tour at 37 would be a huge achievement, but even if he doesn’t pull it off he’ll still have seven wins under his belt. Bernard Hinault will never have more than five.

Lance Armstrong in trouble over a shower

Thanks to puliarfanita on Flickr.com

Lance Armstrong is having a spot of bother with the French anti-doping agency, the AFLD, which claims he’s violated drug-test rules.

He arrived home from a ride to find a man waiting for blood and urine samples – the 24th drug test since his comeback.

Understandably, his manager called the International Cycling Union, UCI, just to check that the chap was bona fide and not a mad fan after an unusual souvenir.

While that was going on, Armstrong asked if he could take a shower, and the tester said that was OK.

Now it’s emerged that this is against AFLD rules, which say the athlete needs to be kept in sight at all times to prevent funny-business involving bodily fluids from a clean-living accomplice.