Armstrong denies fresh drugs allegations

Cycling legend Lance Armstrong has reiterated he has never taken performance enhancing drugs following fresh allegations.

Armstrong, who conquered cancer and won seven Tour de France victories in seven years, feels he is the victim of a “witch hunt”.

‘Big Tex’ told his website, www.lancearmstrong.com: “Yet again, a European newspaper has reported that I have tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs.

“A French sports daily, is reporting that my 1999 samples were positive. Unfortunately, the witch hunt continues and the article is nothing short of tabloid journalism.”

Armstrong, also the youngest ever world champion at 21, added: “The paper even admits in its own article that the science in question here is faulty and that I have no way to defend myself.

“They state ‘There will therefore be no counter-exam nor regulatory prosecutions, in a strict sense, since defendant’s rights cannot be respected’.

“I will simply restate what I have said many times: I have never taken performance enhancing drugs.”