Ex Post Facto Testing..

“Lance Armstrong Hit with Doping Allegations”

I thought when I saw this headline today it was a rehash of charges that have been around for years but have managed to remain outside of the mainstream press. Ironically I had suggested in a previous comment section of mine earlier today that Lance was one of several athletes that get “a pass” from the media.
According to Reuters, a Paris newspaper called L’Equipe is reporting that Armstrong used a “banned” drug called EPO (erythropoietin) in 1999. As evidence they allege six out of nine test vials they assert are Armstrong’s tested positive for traces of the illegal substance. L’Equipe also showed documents from the French Cycling Federation purportedly linking the test results with Armstrong. Back in 1999 when the samples were taken there wasn’t a test for EPO, the tests were performed since on supplemental samples from then.
Armstrong quickly publicly denied the story saying on his website, "I will simply restate what I have said many times. I have never taken performance-enhancing drugs."
Last year Armstrong was forced to refute “blood doping” allegations by a former cycling team groom. He won a lawsuit recently against a British newspaper that printed excerpts from the groom’s tell-all book.
Timing is everything. Curiously this new report surfaces three days after the Anti War Armstrong had his celebrated ride with President Bush.
You can count on the French to keep things interesting.