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.

ARMSTRONG RETIRES Armstrong makes it clear he's not returning Celizic: Stick it to France, Lance! VOTE: Should he have made a comeback? Olbermann: Armstrong doped at Tour

“So, in six years we’ll know if Thomas Voeckler was doped on the 2004 tour,” Riche asked about the rider who held the yellow jersey for 10 stages that year. “Ah, no, am I crazy? He’s French.”

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?”

MORE FROM TOUR DE FRANCE

Tour de France Section Front

Lance calls Contador's late surge ‘a surprise’ Vote: Do you want Armstrong to win 8th Tour? Opinion: Tour isn't spotless, but a lot cleaner Bicycling.com: Live blog for Tour de France Vote: Will Armstrong win 2009 Tour de France? Interactive: Course map for 96th Tour de France   Slideshow: Images from the 2009 Tour 2009 Tour de France stage profiles   Slideshow: Armstrong's 10 greatest Tour moments   Slideshow: Life of Lance, outside of cycling Tour de France Section Front   Add Tour de France headlines to your news reader: