CYCLING: American cyclist Lance Armstrong, the four-times winner of the Tour de France, says he is concerned about his security if the United States goes to war against Iraq.

"We Americans do not enjoy much sympathy abroad at the moment. If I have to do the Tour with a war under way it would be very difficult for me," said Armstrong in an interview with the Italian sports daily Gazzetta dello Sport published yesterday.

Asked if he would pull out in the case of direct threats against him, Armstrong said he would not be intimidated.

"I hope that it won't happen. But even if I am advised to pull out for security reasons I will still go."

Cycling has been plagued with a series of doping scandals in recent years but Armstrong said the situation had improved significantly.

"Cycling is under the microscope but I am convinced that if you look closely at soccer, tennis, athletics and rugby you would find the same things," he said.

"I am convinced that cycling is now cleaner than ever and we have done much more than other sports," he added.