By Dan Warren BBC Sport Online

Awesome, inspiring and powerful are just some of the words which have been used to describe cyclist extraordinaire Lance Armstrong.

But, in the light of the American's actions on his way to collecting his fourth successive Tour de France crown, a new adjective can be added to the list.

Mickey-taker.

Armstrong was pictured during stage 17 of the Tour, enjoying a wee break in the picture postcard setting of the Alps, before resuming his unstoppable march towards glory.

The long stages mean that cyclists constantly need to answer the call of nature.

But imagine knowing that your rival is enjoying some leisurely "bathroom time", knowing that you don't stand a chance of catching up with him.

That said, cocky Armstrong's ability to extract the unmentionable is far from unique in the world of sport.

Snooker's Ronnie O'Sullivan, for example, sometimes switches his cue grip and plays left-handed - far more proficiently than many of his opponents.

But O'Sullivan's apparent cheek pales in comparison to the joie de vivre displayed by the rugby stars of Racing Club de Paris.

Back in the mid-80s, they decided to make their appearance in the French Cup final extra special by wearing bow ties. During the game.

Arrogance helped Bayern win the '99 Champions League. Oh, hold on...

As if that was not enough, the players - who included France centre Dennis Charvet - enjoyed a glass of champagne at half-time. And won the trophy.

Not that it takes the biscuit for rugby-based audacity.

That honour goes to former Welsh fly-half Mark Ring who backheeled a conversion in a club match his side were winning by miles back in the '80s.

The list goes on. Who can forget the Leeds team of the early 70s putting together a string of about 500 unbroken passes on their way to beating hapless Southampton 7-0?

Or Michael Jordan taking a free throw with his eyes closed - and scoring? And then turning to mouthy opponent Dikembe Mutombo and saying: "Welcome to the NBA."

Still, Armstrong's opponents can take heart from the fact that arrogance can, sometimes, backfire upon you.

Manchester United allegedly had their hotels booked for Cardiff, fully expecting to play a little cup final there in May this year.

And no celebrations of arrogant failure would be complete without a quick reference to the 1999 Champions League final in which the loveable Carsten Jancker and Lothar Matthaus revelled in their imminent victory with the equally delightful Bayern Munich fans.

Did someone just mention schadenfreude?