Here we go again. There's a new report that has hit the cycling media that says Lance violated rules at a random drug testing in Southern France. If you're interested in the latest on the story from a source other than myself, click, here.
Basically, here's the run down. Lance was met in the driveway immediately after a long training session by a guy who claimed to work for a French lab and he was there to get samples for a random drug test. Lance didn't recognize the guy, and so understandably given his relationship with all things French he decided that it'd probably be a good idea to contact the UCI, WADA and maybe even the Pope to find out if this guy was legit, or a Richard Virenque supporter looking to take home a personal souvenir. It should probably also be pointed out that this the first time that the lab itself as sent someone to collect his DNA. Usually, it's a person who works for the doping authorities.
In the initial stories that came out, a complaint was filed by the lab guy saying that Armstrong was "mean" to him(That was my interpretation anyway). According to Armstrong and Johan Bruyneel, who was there as well, they asked if Lance could go in and shower while they checked this guys credentials. He apparently said that was fine, but now, that's exactly where the trouble comes in.
When I first read this story I immediately thought that getting out of the guys sight and going to shower seemed a bit suspicious. I was reminded of the movie The Program where the roid raged middle linebacker goes into the toilet stall and pulls a clean vile urine out of the toilet paper holder. Then I realized this couldn't really happen as they not only want Lance's pee, but also blood and hair. Unless there is an exact body double with Lance's DNA walking around, you're not getting someone else's blood and hair without it actually being him. Shower or not.
In my humble opinion this seems like the French taking any small opening they can to essentially try and rub Lance's name in the dirt. They can't possibly build a case on this bit of evidence, but I'm sure they'd like nothing more than to keep him out of the Tour de France this year. It's no secret they don't like him and have always assumed he was riding under the influence. I think it drives them insane that whether he was or wasn't they were never able to prove it.
I don't blame Lance one bit for not just pulling out his junk and peeing in a cup for some random French dude who shows up to his house. But, maybe next time, wait and shower after they've taken the samples. At least then the worst offense they could write in the report would be your smell. Then again, they might not notice, he was French...
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