Armstrong ready for investigators
 |  Six times Tour champion Armstrong has never failed a dope test |
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LONDON, England -- Lance Armstrong is prepared to meet investigators after French police launched a preliminary probe into doping allegations against the six-times Tour de France winner.
"I will make myself available anytime and anywhere to meet with the investigators in this case," the 33-year-old American said in a statement.
A French judge confirmed on Thursday that police had been ordered to investigate Armstrong after the publication of a book called "LA Confidential: The Secrets of Lance Armstrong," which contained accusations of doping.
"Let me make one thing emphatically clear: I believe in clean and fair competition," the Discovery Channel team rider said.
"As I have said before, I do not use -- and have never used -- performance-enhancing drugs. I am disappointed in the judge's decision to open this investigation without having talked to me first," added Armstrong, who has never failed a drugs test.
"I am confident my name will be cleared and I look forward to racing in France for years to come."
Last July, a Paris appeals court turned down Armstrong's request that the book should include his denial of the allegations.
Armstrong has still to decided whether to ride in this year's Tour but said he would compete in March's Paris-Nice race.
