Lance Armstrong will be present in France this week in order to raise funds to help fight cancer. The former American rider, with British professional soccer player Geoff Thomas, will ride stages 13 and 14 of the three-week races with other volunteers.

Brian Cookson, the Union Cycliste Internationale President, criticizes his presence. "It is undesirable. I think it is disrespectful. I think there are plenty of ways of raising money for charity that Lance could do", he explained according to Cyclingnews.

Christopher Froome, the currently yellow jersey, added about L.A.: "He’s not back at the Tour. He’s not on the start line of the Tour de France or anything like that. What he's actually doing is helping Geoff Thomas' cause to raise money for blood cancer research. As I’ve said, I support his (Geoff Thomas’) cause. It’s a cause very close to my heart. I wish Geoff Thomas and the guys all the best in raising as much money as they can. As with Lance, as I said, he’s not on the start line with us. It’s a non-event for us.”

Geraint Thomas, his teammate , was more critical, , suggesting that the riders in the current peloton are paying the price for the damage Armstrong did to the sport in the past. “I couldn’t care less what he’s doing. He’s done enough harm. We’re playing the price for the damage he’s done. Whatever. We’re just in our own little world having a laugh here at the Tour, doing what we’re doing. Lance and all them, they can do whatever they want.”