Seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong has been an embarrassment to the French race, the new head of the Tour's organiser said on Saturday.
L'Equipe quoted Jean-Etienne Amaury as saying that Armstrong has not always been good for the Tour.
"We can't say that he has not embarrassed the Tour de France, as he has had a quite a complicated history with it," Amaury said.
The 32-year-old Amaury was named president of the Amaury Sport Organisation earlier this week, replacing Patrice Clerc, who was known for his hard line against doping.
Some observers interpreted the change as a sign that the ASO intended to soften its position on doping.
Amaury, however, insisted the fight against doping remains a top priority.
"The Tour de France's position has always been very strict and that will not change in the years to come," he said.
"(ASO) is quite conscious of the fact that doping undermines cycling's credibility."
Asked whether a comeback by the 37-year-old Armstrong, who retired in 2005 after winning his seventh consecutive title, would throw suspicion on the race, Amaury said: "Today's tools in the fight against doping are different."
Armstrong announced last month he was coming out of retirement.
