Cycling: Surprise dope test for Armstrong

NOIRMOUTIER - Six times Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong had a surprise dope test at his hotel on Saturday, the only rider to be tested.

Tour organisers confirmed the American had had blood and urine tests in his team's technical area in the car park of the Discovery Channel team hotel in Nantes.

The Texan was the only rider to be tested a second time, two days after blood testing on all 189 Tour starters.

A stony-faced Armstrong said he had been random-tested six times out of competition this season and said he believed the test had been monitored by the French sports ministry.

But French sports minister Jean-Francois Lamour said his agencies were not behind the random test.

"There is an agreement between Tour organisers ASO, the International Cycling Union and the ministry for random testing and the decision to test a rider is made by a medical commission."

- REUTERS