Tales: Lance backs Floyd

ByEurosport

Published 18/07/2006 at 15:27 GMT

As the Tour entered the Alps on Tuesday Floyd Landis was Lance Armstrong's bet to wear the yellow jersey on the Champs. Also, Lance forgets his French, Jan Ullrich says he's innocent until proven guilty, and is that mechanic hairless? All this in a Lance-

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Lance's landing: I'd be happy for Floyd

As newspapers reminded us of the rivalry between American Floyd Landis and his former general Lance Armstrong at the end of Armstrong's career, the seven-time champion arrived at the Tour looking to bury the hatchet.

"I think [Landis] is still the favourite and I would be happy with that victory," Armstrong told reporters as the race entered the Alps on Tuesday.

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"I would love to see the jersey stay in America," the record-holding yellow jersey said. "So that means, I think Floyd is clearly the favourite."

Meanwhile, Lance forgets his French

Armstrong took questions from a number of reporters upon his arrival at the Alps, and even took a few from French reporters.

The Texan refused, however, to respond to questions in the language of love, though he did say he was, in spite of everything, still infatuated with the Tour's hosts.

CYCLING 2006 Tour de France Lance Armstrong George Hincapie Discovery Stage 15 slideshow

Image credit: Reuters

When asked in French if he was happy to be at the Tour, Lance did not answer, replying, "I've forgotten my French."

Armstrong of course lived in the South of France for four years, and spent countless days riding and training in the country.

"I do love France, I say that all the time," Armstrong ultimately responded when asked about his feelings for the country that has been fervent in its attacks on the American's credibility in regards to doping accusations.

"Would you say that in French, because people have to understand," a reporter begged.

"You can translate," Armstrong dismissed her with a laugh.

Le harsh.

Pardon your French nonetheless

Although Lance had forgotten his French, he had not forgotten his cursive when asked about the sport's negative image in regards to fighting doping.

"I think that cycling does more than anybody else, I don't give a shit what anybody says," Armstrong bluntly told reporters.

"There's no sport that can say they've done what cycling has done. We've been very aggressive," he added while acknowledging that the sport has had its share of problems.

"I guess if there's a cancer within the sport you have to get rid of that obviously," Armstrong concluded, though he repeated his challenge for anyone to find a sport that has done as much as cycling to combat doping.

Ullrich: For the last time, I'm innocent

Jan Ullrich made what he promised would be his final "current" public statement in regards to the Operation Puerto doping investigation, saying that the normal legal standard of innocent until proven guilty should apply in every case.

CYCLING 2006 Jan Ullrich

Image credit: dpa

"As in any country subject to the rule of law, the until proven guilty standard applies not only to me, but to every other person, too," the German said in a statement on Monday.

Ullrich said that contrary to media reports, he had made a team deadline to offer his T-Mobile squad an explanation for his role in the doping investigation, which led to his suspension from the Tour de France on the eve of the race.

"At the recommendation of my lawyers, I will currently release no further public explanations," his statement concluded.

And finally....

Some top-notch entries in yesterday's caption contest. Again finishing runner-up (you have the apologies of a fellow Virginian), is Wyatt Fawns from Virginia Beach for this beauty: "Pereiro: "So then I say, ' Hey, chump! I'd let you wear the maillot jaune, if I were the one to spill chain oil on your shirt!'"

CYCLING 2006 Tour de France Garcia Acosta Pereiro

Image credit: Reuters

But our winner comes from an unnamed reader from USC: "Oscar: Hey Jose, don't look now, but I think he trimmed his chest hair to get your attention."

Classy. And for today's caption contest, we stepped the sophistication up a full notch, with this Italy fan on the final climb up Alpe D'Huez. Fortunately he failed to distract stage winner Frank Schleck. As always send your entries to newsroom@eurosport.com.