CYCLING: LANCE ARMSTRONG is racing to regain fitness after breaking a collarbone last month, but the American rider may face an even bigger obstacle in his bid to win an eighth Tour de France.

The French anti-doping agency AFLD indicated yesterday they were considering opening disciplinary proceedings against Armstrong due to what they say was improper behaviour during a recent anti-doping test.

The surprise examination was carried out on March 17th at a house Armstrong was staying at near Nice. Blood, hair and urine samples were taken, but only after the tester was left waiting outside for approximately half an hour while Armstrong’s team manager, Johan Bruyneel, verified the man was entitled to carry out the procedure. During this time Armstrong was unsupervised in the house.

In a statement issued yesterday, the AFLD said Armstrong did not obey the rules of the World Anti-doping Agency’s (Wada) International Standard of Testing, specifically Article 5.4.1. That rule states the tester “shall ensure that the athlete and/or a third party is informed . . . of the athlete’s responsibilities, including the requirement to . . . remain within direct observation of the DCO (doping control officer)/chaperone at all times from the point of notification by the DCO/chaperone until the completion of the sample collection procedure.”

The purpose of the regulation is to ensure athletes do not have a chance to manipulate the test by using any methods which could hide the use of banned products.

Earlier this week, Armstrong said the results were negative and rejected any suggestions of improper behaviour.

“We told the tester we wanted to check with the UCI to confirm who he was and to make sure he wasn’t just some French guy with a backpack and some equipment to take my blood and urine.

“Johan stayed with him and in his presence called the UCI to find out what was going on. We asked if it was okay for me to run inside and shower while they made their calls, and the tester said that was fine.”

The AFLD statement directly contradicts this. It reads: “Mr Armstrong, despite being repeatedly warned by the examiner, did not meet the obligation to remain under direct and permanent observation.”

In 2005, Armstrong was accused by L’Equipe of having used EPO during his 1999 Tour victory. That claim was based on retrospectively-tested B samples held in the doping laboratory in Paris.

The American had just retired from the sport and was ultimately exonerated by a UCI-commissioned investigation, although this clearance was in turn rejected by Wada.

The then-Tour organiser, Jean Marie Leblanc, said he considered Armstrong to have cheated. Prominent anti-doping scientist Michael Ashenden echoed that sentiment earlier this week.

Armstrong has always denied the use of banned substances, and is expected to fight this latest case.

As the national anti-doping agency, the AFLD has the authority to test all athletes who are training or racing on French soil, regardless of where their licence is registered. Yesterday’s news is significant as the AFLD could potentially ban Armstrong from competing on French soil.

If that were upheld against all appeals, it would rule out his bid for an eighth Tour de France crown this summer.

In other news, Irish rider Philip Deignan was involved in a long breakaway during yesterday’s fourth stage of the Tour of the Basque Country. The Cervélo Test Team rider was clear with Michael Albasini (Team Columbia – Highroad), Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Silence-Lotto) and Christian Vande Velde (Garmin – Slipstream), who went on to finish in that order. Deignan unfortunately lost contact on the final climb.

Armstrong’s Astana team-mate Alberto Contador finished in the pack and retained his race lead.

Finally, the Germany Kuota Indeland squad is the latest team to be announced for this year’s FBD Insurance Rás. The quintet will be led by former Olympic, world and Commonwealth Games team pursuit champion Luke Roberts, who competed with the CSC team for three seasons.

Fixtures: Friday-Monday: Rás Mumhan, Killorglin. Stage One starts 4.30pm; Tour of the North, prologue time trial in Belfast. Saturday-Monday: An Post Gorey. Stage One starts Brittas at noon. Sunday: IVCA 80k, Summerhill, 9.15; Newry Youth Racing.