Armstrong might finally win over French fans

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 told The Associated Press by phone this week. "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 tough 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.

In the AP interview, 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. "People were cool. Of course, there is going to be somebody that is not happy. But there are probably people in your neighborhood that are not happy with you either."

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.

"If they hate you and you're on the roads and they want you, they can get you," he said then.

Bernard Hinault, five-time Tour de France winner and last Frenchman to have won the race, recently blasted Armstrong for those comments.