LA GRANDE MOTTE, France – A top Tour de France official says seven-time champion Lance Armstrong will be fined for failing to sign in before Monday's third stage.
The Tour's competition director Jean-Francois Pescheux said that "he didn't sign in. ... The rules are clear: if he doesn't sign in, he will be fined."
All riders are required to sign in before starting every Tour stage. Pescheux said Armstrong would receive the standard fine of 100 Swiss francs (euro66; $92).
Pescheux also criticized Armstrong for not making himself more available to fans.
However, Astana team spokesman Philippe Maertens said Armstrong was held up by signing autographs and doing interviews before the stage.
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