AFLD gives Armstrong a hair cut

The French Anti-Doping Agency (AFLD) surprised Lance Armstrong with an unusual request while performing an out-of-competition test on the Astana racer as he was training on Tuesday in southern France, according to the Associated Press.

It was Armstrong's 24th anti-doping test since he announced his comeback last fall; however, it was the first one during which a hair sample was requested in addition to the usual blood and urine samples. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the UCI do not recognise hair sample testing, but French law permits such testing.

Compiled By The Inquirer Staff Lance Armstrong and French anti-doping agency AFLD said yesterday that the cyclist was approached for a hair sample in an unannounced test Tuesday in Beaulieu-sur-Mer in southern France, where he is training as part of his comeback for a shot at an eighth Tour de France title.

Armstrong kept a light side on the test. "He didn't make my hair look very good," said Armstrong to the Associated Press.