Armstrong receiving a warmer reception

French appear to finally appreciate 7-time Tour champ

By Samuel Petrequin
The Assocaited Press

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MONACO — For all of Lance Armstrong's Tour de France victories, he still hasn't won the hearts of the French. That may be about to change.

"A lot has been made about that relationship between them and myself," he said. "The comments are not necessarily in line with reality."

Armstrong is awaiting his first Tour since 2005. The 37-year-old Texan often put off the French during his seven straight titles with a self-confidence seen as arrogance, and an unapologetic crushing of rivals that seemed to drain the race of the suspense the fans crave.

There are signs, though, that the hostility Armstrong was greeted by in some previous races will be absent this time.

A poll published in Thursday's edition of L'Equipe showed 72 percent of respondents said they were "not bothered" by Armstrong's presence on this year's Tour.

The race starts Saturday in Monaco. On Thursday, cycling governing body UCI carried out pre-race blood tests of all the expected riders as part of a new anti-doping program, and the 20 teams were presented in a ceremony at the principality's port.

Armstrong, in brief comments to a French TV reporter at the presentation, said he felt "a lot of excitement" and "a heckuva lot of nerves" before the three-week jaunt over nearly 2,140 miles.

Hundreds of fans cheered when the Texan and his Astana teammates were presented before the fans Thursday.

Armstrong said he has also noticed a warmer reception this year. He said he never received any negative comment during his pre-race preparations, when he spent four days in the Alps previewing the mountain stages.

"And I have seen thousands stopping on the side of the road," Armstrong said.

As recently as November, a few weeks after Armstrong announced his comeback, there were tensions on both sides. Armstrong even suggested his safety might be at risk if he entered the Tour.

Over the years, many in France harbored doubts that the cancer survivor raced clean, when so many other riders were caught doping.

During his final Tour in 2005, many fans booed Armstrong as he raced by, and he subsequently stopped any visible effort to seduce the French.

During his absence, things have eased and Armstrong is not the same dominant rider anymore. He won only one race this season — the Nevada City Classic in June — and finished 12th in the Giro d'Italia. He also crashed and broke his collarbone in the Vuelta of Castilla and Leon stage race in March.

Armstrong will be on the starting line in Monaco in a situation he has never experienced. The man once feared as "the Boss" of the peloton now has to battle Astana teammate Alberto Contador, the overwhelming favorite, for the role of team leader.

But in his more mellow state, even some competitors are warming to the veteran.

"They (the riders) know I'm older, they see that I'm more relaxed," Armstrong said. "Before, I never had riders asking for pictures or signatures. Now that happens."