Peter Dejong / AP file

Throughout his seven Tour de France titles, Lance Armstrong has taken the time to show his appreciation of French fans by signing autographs. And several French fans are now backing Armstrong.

updated 2:37 p.m. ET Aug. 29, 2005

PARIS - Lance Armstrong drew wide support from French fans who criticized the newspaper that accused the seven-time Tour de France winner of doping, with one letter writer pleading that the cyclist be left alone.

L’Equipe published letters to the editor in its weekend magazine Saturday in response to last week’s cover story that Armstrong used a banned blood booster in his first Tour victory in 1999. The cyclist has denied the charges, suggesting he is the victim of a “setup” and places no trust in the lab that handled the test.

Of the seven letters published, six backed Armstrong and expressed varying degrees of anger at the newspaper.

“Leave him alone!” wrote Eugenie Hays from the Brittany town of La Forest-Landerneau. Like many readers, she noted many athletes take banned products these days but not everyone inspires like Armstrong. “Don’t shatter our dreams.”

Louis Riche, another reader, wrote that “these accusations (true or false having little importance) only show one thing: that scientific research is seven years late.”

He questioned whether French cyclists would face the same scrutiny as the American star.

L’Equipe reported Tuesday that new tests on six urine samples he provided during the 1999 tour resulted in positive results for the red blood cell-booster EPO.

William Dubois noted that he does fair amount of cycling and understands the need for an energy boost.

“For me, my EPO, from time to time is (a licorice-flavored aperitif) and, at Sunday dinner, a good glass of wine! I know that professionals don’t only drink mineral water,” he said.

Not everyone spared Armstrong from judgment.

“You were my hero,” wrote Rahila Abdul. “Why did you do it?”