Lance Armstrong 'not looking for sympathy on France ride'

Disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong has said he is not looking for sympathy as he rides a stage of the Tour de France as part of a charity event.

Speaking to journalists as he arrived at the start of the Geoff Thomas's 'One Day Ahead' ride in Muret, he said he was only there to contribute to a good cause.

They are aiming to raise £1m ($1.56m) for Cure Leukaemia by cycling the route of two stages a day before the official peloton passes through.

Armstrong was stripped of the seven Tour titles he won from 1999-2005 after admitting to doping following years of denials.