armstrongs

Paris - The 2010 Tour de France, which starts Saturday in the Dutch city of Rotterdam, will be Lance armstrongs last [detalii...]

Video: watch highlights from Lance armstrongs Tour de France [detalii...]

Lance armstrongs RadioShack team has struck back at doping allegations made by Floyd Landis [detalii...]

Lance armstrongs attorneys say the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency is offering cyclists a "sweetheart deal" if they testify or provide evidence that the seven-time Tour de France winner cheated by [detalii...]

In his doping confessional to CBSs 60 Minutes, Tyler Hamilton not only tells of witnessing teammate Lance armstrongs use of the banned blood-boosting agent EPO when they rode together on the U.S. Postal Service team from 1995 to 2001, but he also delivers a blow to armstrongs longtime defense against such allegations: "Never a failed test," Armstrong tweeted in response to Hamiltons remarks. "I rest my [detalii...]

Lance armstrongs Tour de France hopes have been dealt a major blow after he struggled in the Alps and was caught up in three crashes during an eighth stage won by Andy Schleck of [detalii...]

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Lance armstrongs Radioshack team say Floyd Landis tried to blackmail him in a bid to revive his own [detalii...]

Team failed to notify of plans to wear cancer-theme jersey UCI launches disciplinary proceedings for regulations breach The International Cycling Union is opening disciplinary proceedings against Lance armstrongs RadioShack team after the start of the final stage of the Tour de France was delayed because its riders were wearing non-sanctioned jerseys.The cyclists tried to wear black jerseys yesterday with 28 on the back to honour the 28 million people fighting cancer, one of the themes of armstrongs Livestrong Foundation.The UCI said today RadioShack would be investigated "for breaching the regulations governing riders clothing"."The UCI regrets that an initiative for a cause as worthy as the fight against cancer was not coordinated beforehand with the commissaires and organisers of the event," the organisation said. "This could have been done whilst remaining within the rules."It caused a 20-minute delay to the start of the stage.Lance ArmstrongTour de FranceCycling guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]

Lance armstrongs former US postal team-mate Kirk team-mate banned for life for doping [detalii...]

Lance Armstrong will close out his cycling career by highlighting a key motivation for his return to the [detalii...]

Schwarzenburg, Switzerland - Lance armstrongs RadioShack team has reacted angrily at not being invited for this years Tour of Spain, the [detalii...]

Lance armstrongs last professional cycling race outside the United States will be Januarys Tour Down Under, race organizers said [detalii...]

Gap between media perception of legend and that of his adoring [detalii...]

Garmin-Cervelos sacking of directeur sportif steals some of Lance armstrongs retirement headlines in South [detalii...]

Cyclistss lawyer criticises drip-feed of allegations They are either mistaken or not telling the truthLance armstrongs lawyer has criticised a report that a former team-mate of the seven-times Tour de France champion told investigators Armstrong knew of widespread performance-enhancing drug use on the US Postal Service team.Bryan Daly said hundreds of armstrongs former team-mates would deny he broke the rules to win. The New York Times reported yesterday that a former team-mate supported claims by Floyd Landis that the Postal Service team engaged in systematic doping with armstrongs knowledge and approval.The cyclist told the newspaper he had spoken to federal investigators investigating allegations of doping in the sport.Armstrong has denied any allegations that he doped or encouraged doping.The unidentified cyclist detailed some of his own drug use to investigators, even though he has never tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs, the newspaper reported. He said he has not been called to testify before the grand jury in Los Angeles that has been convened for the case.Daly said yesterday that the report contains "inappropriate leaks designed to create a circus-like atmosphere"."To the extent that any riders are suggesting that Lance Armstrong violated cycling rules or doped, they are either mistaken or not telling the truth. Lance has ridden with hundreds of riders over the years who will support his position, and over all that time he has never failed even a single test," Daly said.Landis, who was stripped of his 2006 Tour title after failing a doping test, recently admitted using drugs during the height of his career. He implicated several cyclists, Armstrong among them.armstrongs attorneys have said the US Anti-Doping Agency has been trying to broker deals with cyclists who testify or produce evidence against Armstrong. If those riders have used performance-enhancing drugs, they could receive reduced punishment, armstrongs attorneys have said. More riders are expected to meet the grand jury next week."We understand that riders may be being offered sweetheart deals to change testimony that they have given in the past, under oath," Daly said. "The power of the federal government is being abused to pursue dated and discredited allegations, and thats flat-out wrong, unethical, un-American, and a waste of taxpayer dollars."Lance ArmstrongDrugs in sportCycling guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]

Lance armstrongs bid to win the Tour of Switzerland has come up just short, with the Texan finishing second by 12 seconds to Frank Schleck of [detalii...]

Highlights from Lance armstrongs career in the Tour de France, which he won seven years in a row between 1999 and 2005, before being beaten by Oscar Pereiro in [detalii...]

A longtime friend of Lance armstrongs testified Wednesday before a grand jury hearing evidence connected to allegations of doping in professional [detalii...]

PARIS (AP) -- The final stage of the Tour de France has gotten under way after a delay caused when Lance armstrongs Radioshack team was forced to change out of unofficial jerseys honoring cancer [detalii...]

Lance armstrongs attorneys say illegal government leaks of grand jury information have sullied the cyclists reputation, and have asked a court to order federal agents to discuss their contacts with the [detalii...]

Lance armstrongs camp changed tact Sunday, saying a report over a longtime former teammates grand-jury testimony was a result of a TV networks "unpardonable zeal to smear" the seven-time Tour [detalii...]

Race organisers for the Tour of Lombardy have included RadioShack in their entry list for the final classic of the [detalii...]

Having survived cancer, Lance Armstrong made a triumphant comeback in 1999, beating Alex Zulle by more than seven minutes to win the [detalii...]

Seven-time winner Lance armstrongs final day as a Tour de France rider began in surreal fashion as he was told to change his race [detalii...]

A report by "60 Minutes" says George Hincapie, a longtime member of Lance armstrongs inner circle, has told federal authorities he saw the seven-time Tour de France winner use performance-enhancing [detalii...]

Fears of Lance armstrongs missing Tour de France allayed after he suffers no bone breaks in Tour of California [detalii...]

Lance Armstrong and his coach both denied several charges levied last week by former teammate Floyd Landis, including that armstrongs Postal Service team sold bikes to fund its blood-doping program from [detalii...]

The president of the International Cycling Union has said decision to accept Lance armstrongs 100,000 donation was [detalii...]

Lance Armstrong was today reflecting on a Tour de France career which will end in Paris on [detalii...]

Lance armstrongs former teammate, Tyler Hamilton, has told "60 Minutes" that he saw Armstrong take performance-enhancing drugs, including the banned blood-booster EPO, in 1999 to help prepare for and race in the Tour de France and other [detalii...]

Read the full transcript of Lance armstrongs press conference following Floyd Landis doping [detalii...]

Lance Armstrong and a banned physician have met repeatedly since severing formal ties in 2004, including as recently as last year before armstrongs final Tour de France, a high-ranking Italian law enforcement official told The Associated [detalii...]

Renewed allegations of links with controversial doctor Ferrari I have nothing to worry about on any level, says AmericanLance Armstrong says he has nothing to worry about "on any level" over new doping allegations raised in a report by Sports Illustrated.The seven-time Tour de France winner curtly brushed aside questions about the story today before taking part in the second stage of the Tour Down Under.The story challenged armstrongs statements that he cut ties to an Italian doctor and training adviser who has long been accused of helping cyclists cheat.Armstrong repeatedly refused to comment on the report before saying he had perused it. "I have nothing to worry about on any level," he said.Johan Bruyneel, armstrongs mentor and the manager of this RadioShack team, also refused to discuss the report.Without naming its source, Sports Illustrated said that when Italian authorities raided the home of armstrongs team-mate Yaroslav Popovych last November in Italy, they found texts and emails linking the RadioShack team with Dr Michele Ferrari as recently as 2009.Armstrong severed his connection with Ferrari in 2004, amid accusations the doctor aided another rider in using performance-enhancing drugs. Ferrari was convicted and then later cleared of criminal charges on appeal.The Armstrong spokesman, Mark Fabiani, called the report "old news from the same old, discredited sources".A US federal grand jury in Los Angeles has been hearing evidence for months on cheating in professional cycling. The investigation turned toward Armstrong - and several of his associates have testified before the panel - since his former team-mate Floyd Landis accused the seven-time Tour de France winner of systematic doping.Armstrong won the Tour de France every year from 1999 to 2005. Hes currently competing in the Tour Down Under, which he says will be his last race outside the United States.Armstrong has never tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance.Lance ArmstrongCyclingDrugs in sport guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2011 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]

Lance armstrongs team manager says the seven-time Tour de France winner has deliberately lost time to save energy for a new goal: a stage [detalii...]

Floyd Landis, in his first television interview since admitting that he had used performance-enhancing drugs during his career, is once again accusing Lance Armstrong of cheating during armstrongs record-setting [detalii...]

Armstrong involved in three crashes on first Alpine stage Bradley Wiggins 2min45sec behind leader Cadel EvansAndy Schleck won the eighth stage of the Tour de France as Lance Armstrong suffered a disastrous first day in the mountains. The 38-year-old American was caught up in three crashes and lost more than 11 minutes on the lead to all but end his hopes of an eighth title.Armstrong said that he it had been a "very, very bad day", adding "my Tour is finished". He said however that he will continue until the end of the three-week race.Schleck, the holder of the white jersey, for the best young rider, is now 20 seconds behind Australias Cadel Evans, who took the race leaders yellow jersey from Sylvain Chavanel. Team Skys Bradley Wiggins finished 1min45sec down, leaving him 14th in the general classification, 2:45 behind Evans.armstrongs first problem came 7km into the 189km-stage between Station des Rousses and Morzine-Avoriaz, when he was forced on to a grass verge following a crash at the front of the peloton. He then fell on the exit of a roundabout 50km from the end and required the assistance of four of his Team RadioShack colleagues to return to the peloton.Armstrong was dropped by the lead group on the category-one Col de La Ramaz. He lost further time on the category-three Les Gets when two Euskaltel Euskadi riders collided in front of him.The reigning champion, Alberto Contador, is third overall, 1:01 off the lead. The yellow jersey holder at the start of the day, Chavanel, finished 60th, leaving him 10:05 behind Evans.Tour de FranceLance ArmstrongCycling guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]

Lance Armstrong saga is taken into uncharted territory Former team-mate denies talking to CBS TV programmeIn the 11 years since journalists and judges began looking into doping allegations against Lance Armstrong, all the inquiries have fallen down on two grounds: there has been no "smoking gun" and no copper-bottomed witness in spite of the weight of circumstantial evidence that has built up over the years. The allegations have always been emphatically denied and the denials have stuck.Sparked by a federal inquiry into armstrongs former team US Postal Service that goes back to last August, the events of the last two days have taken the Armstrong saga - and by extension the cycling world in which Armstrong remains an influential figure - into uncharted territory. They also provide possible insights into the direction of the inquiry, led by Geoff Novitzky, the man behind the Barry Bonds case.On Thursday night, as part of the build-up to a showing of their investigative programme 60 Minutes, CBS released a segment of an interview with armstrongs former team-mate Tyler Hamilton, in which the cyclist claimed that he had seen his ex-leader use the banned blood booster erythropoietin. Hamilton did not go into details, but if he can back up the claims, this would be a new and potentially devastating piece of evidence.On Friday, CBS reported that they had evidence that another of armstrongs former team-mates George Hincapie had told the federal inquiry that he and Armstrong had given each other erythropoietin and that they had discussed the use of another banned drug, testosterone. Unlike Hamilton and at least two other former team-mates of Armstrong, Hincapie was not interviewed by CBS - citing the ongoing FDA inquiry in which he is apparently a witness - and the television station did not name a source for their report.Hincapie, who is currently racing in the Tour of California, said: "I can confirm to you that I never spoke with 60 Minutes. I have no idea where they got their information. As Ive said in the past, I continue to be disappointed that people are talking about the past in cycling instead of the future. As for the substance of anything in the 60 Minutes story, I cannot comment on anything relating to the ongoing investigation."On the face of it, Hamiltons revelation appears the more damaging, but Hincapie could potentially be the game-changer if the CBS report is backed up. Over the years, several witnesses have come forward to make a variety of claims about Armstrong and banned drugs: the triple Tour de France winner Greg LeMond, armstrongs former team-mates Floyd Landis and Stephen Swart, the former US Postal soigneur Emma OReilly, his former personal assistant Mike Anderson, and Betsy Andreu, the wife of his ex-team-mate and former friend Frankie Andreu.The allegations have been wide ranging, but never conclusive: needle marks on armstrongs arms, conversations in which Armstrong reportedly said the Tour de France could only be won using EPO, the claim that before his treatment for testicular cancer Armstrong told doctors he used banned substances. But because they occurred largely in isolation, and did not corroborate each other, they could be rebutted; armstrongs word against each witness, each claim.Coupled with his denials of any use of banned substances and his assertion that he has never failed a drugs test, Armstrong, could also make claims that undermined each witnesss evidence: personal animosity, a desire for financial gain, revenge, jealousy, or, in the case of Landis - and Hamilton - that both men lied for several years about their own drug-taking before performing dramatic U-turns.No such assertions can be made against Hincapie, however, as Andreu pointed out to the magazine VeloNews on Friday night. "You cant find a nicer guy, a more trustworthy guy, a more respected person in the peloton. Lance has ripped apart, attacked and shredded anybody thats said anything against him. I dont know that that would work against George. Lance has even called him a stand-up guy."Hincapie is a bumbling, genial giant of a man, who has always seemed to want to keep out of the fray around Armstrong. The pair have - had? - been friends for almost two decades since they began racing together at the Motorola team. Hincapie is universally well-thought of and liked. He has never tested positive for any banned substances, although Landis made allegations against him - which he denied - when Landis went public for the first time last May.While Sundays broadcast of 60 Minutes should move the Armstrong story forward, what will happen in the longer term remains hard to predict, as it is unclear when the inquiry will close and - if the claims are well-founded - what steps if any may be taken against Armstrong. Hamiltons open letter to friends and fans on Thursday, in which he explained his confession, gave an insight into the workings of the federal inquiry, on behalf of which a grand jury took testimony under subpoena from the former Tour de France stage winner.Hamilton said he had been interviewed for six hours and that the confession he took drugs had come as a relief after years of deceit. Novitzkys team are giving away nothing -- and may well be annoyed that material from at least one important witness has been made public - but appear to be painstakingly building their case. If they conclude with a joined-up series of witness statements from his former team-mates, which corroborate each other, they could undermine the defence Armstrong has built up over recent years, and it could radically alter the recent history of the Tour de France.Lance ArmstrongTour de FranceCyclingDrugs in sportWilliam Fotheringham guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2011 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]

Michele Ferrari suspected of working with cyclists despite ban Armstrong alleged to have met Ferrari in Switzerland and MonacoLance Armstrong and a banned Italian physician have met repeatedly in Europe since severing formal ties in 2004, including as recently as last year before armstrongs final Tour de France, a high-ranking Italian law enforcement official said on Friday.Michele Ferrari was cleared in 2006 of criminal charges accusing him of distributing doping products to athletes, but he remains barred for life by the Italian Cycling Federation.Italian authorities suspect Ferrari of continuing to work with 20 to 30 top-level cyclists despite his ban, including Armstrong, and are actively pursuing that line of investigation, the law enforcement official said. On Thursday the Padua prosecutor Benedetto Roberti ordered raids across Italy involving cyclists believed to have ties to Ferrari. Italian riders who work with the doctor risk bans of three to six months.The law-enforcement official, who is not authorised to speak publicly because the inquiry is still under way, said that Armstrong met with Ferrari frequently over the past several years, usually in St Moritz, Switzerland, or Monte Carlo, Monaco.Ferrari had worked with the seven-times Tour winner for several years before their 2004 split.When contacted on Friday, Ferrari was asked when he last saw Armstrong. "I really dont know. When, last year? Look, right now I dont remember," he said, "but I havent had a professional relationship with Mr Armstrong for a long time."Armstrong has always denied doping. He retired from cycling for the second time this year."Lance has not had a professional relationship with Dr Ferrari since 2004, but he remains friends with the doctors family and sees them every once in a while. Lance last saw Dr. Ferrari about a year ago," armstrongs lawyer Mark Fabiani said in an email.Without identifying its source, Sports Illustrated said in January that when Italian authorities raided the home of armstrongs team-mate Yaroslav Popovych last November, they found texts and emails linking the RadioShack team with Ferrari as recently as 2009.In November, European and American agents met at Interpol headquarters in Lyon, France, to share information on all the investigations."Government sources are leaking inaccurate rumours to create the false impression that this taxpayer-money-wasting fishing expedition actually has a purpose," Fabiani said.The cyclists raided on Thursday in Sicily and northern Italy include Michele Scarponi - a contender for this years Giro dItalia - and his Lampre team-mate Leonardo Bertagnolli, as well as five current and past Russian riders with the Katusha team. No arrests were made.One of the Russians, Aleksander Kolobnev, won the bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, getting bumped up from fourth after Italys Davide Rebellin was stripped of silver.The Lampre and Katusha teams confirmed that police inspected the riders biological passports and confiscated anti-inflammatories, powdered milk and energy bars.Ferrari refused to comment on the raids. "I have a lot of things to say, but Ill say them when the moment is right," he said. "At the moment I dont have anything to say."More raids are likely, the Italian law enforcement official said."We were looking to make a few connections and we found some of what we were looking for. But its not finished yet," the official said. "Its all related to [Ferrari]."Lance ArmstrongCycling guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2011 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]

Crash takes seven-times winner out of contention Fall exploited by Alberto Contadors team, AstanaMost of the Tours greats are forced to endure a moment of brutal clarity, when they are reduced to the ranks of mere mortals. For some a particular time and place always denotes the point where they have visibly taken on un Tour de trop.After Lance armstrongs disastrous showing today the next 13 days will show whether or not signing up for one last Tour at the age of nearly 39 was the two-wheeled equivalent of the boxer who cannot resist one final bout and ends up sprawling on the canvas after two rounds.Halfway up the Col de la Ramaz, a sign offered leisure cyclists the chance to take part in a circuit of the rock of hell. The heat beating off the asphalt definitely had an infernal quality about it, and the steepest part of the climb leading to a series of tunnels and avalanche shelters through a rocky gorge marked the start of armstrongs personal purgatory as he slipped inexorably off the back of the group that included all those with pretensions to a high placing overall.The group still numbered some 35 and that made the point: the seven-times winner was about to have the worst day he has endured in 12 Tour starts.As if by magic - but more probably on the orders of an Astana team manager who had seen the television pictures of the teams former leader in trouble - two of Alberto Contadors team-mates appeared at the front of the group and upped the pace.The chance to put such a major rival out of the reckoning could not be missed but it was hard to resist the obvious conclusion: Contador was taking revenge for the mind games Armstrong played with him as they jostled for team leadership last year.Even before the race hit the Ramaz armstrongs day had a nightmare quality. As the field accelerated before the foot of the climb, the Texan touched a pedal on a roundabout, his front tyre came unstuck from the rim and he fell on the right side of the road.His jersey was ripped, his knee cut but critically his saddle broke, meaning he needed a new bike, and there were no kind souls in the field to stage a go-slow. Instead he had to fight to close a 45sec gap, with the help of four team-mates, and when the climb started, he had still to fight his way to the front of the peloton.All those efforts must have taken their toll. The luck that had assisted Armstrong to seven Tour wins - marred by one chute that had any true gravity, in 2003 - had finally deserted him.It was not his first crash of this Tour. He fell, along with many others, on stage two to Spa and he had suffered an ill-timed puncture on the cobbles of the Arenberg stage."Ive never been so unlucky," he said later. The counter-argument runs that in the Tour good luck tends to followthe men in form, because the slightest weakness means a fractional slowing in reaction time and a minute increase in stress levels that can make a cyclist simply try too hard.The rest of the stage was what the French love to call un calvaire, a road of the cross. Atop the third category climb to Les Gets, Armstrong was nearly involved in another crash. His head shake spoke volumes. He climbed to Avoriaz in 61st place, nearly 12 minutes behind, pedalling at normal speed rather than his usual frenetic cadence, alongside also-rans such as the French national champion Thomas Voeckler, in happier times the recipient of largesse from the Texan, who "permitted" him to take the yellow jersey in the 2004 Tour."I was behind, so starting the Ramaz was hard and then it went from bad to worse," Armstrong told French television. The company unwittingly underlined the extent of armstrongs misfortune by switching from live coverage a few minutes after Andy Shlecks stage win, including a lengthy ad break and a fulsome preamble to their World Cup coverage, before eventually going back to live pictures of Armstrong crossing the line. He was that far behind.The Texans mentor, Eddy Merckx, lost his mystique in 1977, when he rode up the Col du Glandon in a daze due to stomach trouble. Miguel Indurain was never the same again after blowing up at Les Arcs in 1996. For those places and dates, read Armstrong, Col de la Ramaz, 2010.He spoke bravely today of continuing for his team but those with long memories remember the fate of the first man to win the Tour five times, Jacques Anquetil, who set out on his "one Tour too many" in 1966, and ended it anonymously on a roadside near Saint-Etienne.Armstrong is now in 39th place overall with a kicking to digest: this is uncharted territory for the Texan.Tour de FranceLance ArmstrongCyclingWilliam Fotheringham guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]

Cyclings governing body hits out over Tyler Hamiltons claims Hamilton abused the trust of all folllowers of cyclingThe sports world governing body, the UCI, has hit back strongly at the accusation by Tyler Hamilton, a former team-mate of Lance Armstrong, that it colluded in covering up a positive test by Armstrong for the banned blood booster EPO.Hamilton told CBSs 60 Minutes that "people took care of" a positive test for the seven-times Tour de France winner during the 2001 Tour of Switzerland - just months after a test for the previously undetectable EPO was ratified. The programme also claimed that Armstrong and his team director, Johan Bruyneel, met the director of the Swiss anti-doping laboratory - a meeting arranged, they said, by the UCI. Together, said Hamilton, they "figured out a way for it to go away".The UCI has responded by rejecting the claim and threatening legal action against Hamilton, 40, who is serving an eight-year ban for his second positive drugs test. In a statement, the governing body said: "The UCI is deeply shocked by the seriousness of the allegations made ... and wishes to state once again that it has never altered or hidden the results of a positive test. The allegations of Mr Tyler Hamilton are completely unfounded. The UCI can only express its indignation at this latest attempt to damage the image of cycling by a cyclist who has not hesitated to abuse the trust of all followers of cycling on several occasions in the past."At no time did he see fit to inform the UCI of the events he claims to have witnessed 10 years ago, and which he is now using in his attempt to harm the UCI. The UCI can only confirm that Lance Armstrong has never been notified of a positive test result by any anti-doping laboratory."The governing body recently instigated legal proceedings against another former Armstrong team-mate, Floyd Landis, whose claims that armstrongs US Postal team ran a systematic doping programme were the catalyst for an ongoing US federal investigation, and it hinted at taking similar action against Hamilton. "The UCI will continue to defend its honour and credibility by all means available, and reserves the right to take any measures it deems necessary against Mr Hamilton or any other person."The UCI confidently awaits the results of the inquiry being conducted by the US justice system. It hopes that the investigations may be concluded swiftly and the truth ascertained, so that the sport of cycling may be spared further unnecessary damage."Armstrong, who says he has never used banned substances, also came out fighting, at least through his spokesman, Mark Fabiani.Speaking on Monday to Sports Radio, Fabiani accused Hamilton of lying in order to get a book deal. "He has scammed 60 Minutes," said Fabiani.Asked whether Armstrong would ever admit to using "steroids" [sic], Fabiani added: "I cant see into the future but I cannot imagine him doing that. He has said it over and over again. I have staked out my position on this, I have told the truth, there is nothing else I can say, and my position will never change ... hes got the test results to back it up. Hes got almost 500 tests over 20 years and never failed a single one."On the second rest day of the Giro dtIalia, meanwhile, armstrongs former team, RadioShack, which is directed by Bruyneel, had their vehicles searched by the Italian police. According to Cyclingnews.com, plain clothed officers from the Nucleo Antisofisticazioni Sanita (NAS) arrived at their hotel in Falcade to search the teams vehicles and interview their doctor, Nino Daniele. It is believed that the inspection was as part of a doping investigation into armstrongs former coach Michele Ferrari.Lance ArmstrongDrugs in sportCyclingTour de FranceRichard Moore guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2011 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]

Sports Illustrated magazine alleges high testosterone level I dont have anything to worry about, says American The final international race of Lance armstrongs 19-year career was intended to be a relaxed swan song in the Australian sun in front of adoring crowds, but the seven-times Tour de France winner was today forced to swat away new allegations that he may have used performance-enhancing drugs.A lengthy investigation published in the American magazine Sports Illustrated included claims that he had been found to have higher than usual testosterone ratios in 1993, 1994 and 1996, and suggested that his teams had maintained links with his controversial trainer Dr Michele Ferrari. Armstrong has always denied using drugs and his spokesman Mark Fabiani called the allegations "old news from the same, old discredited sources".Asked about the Sports Illustrated story at the start of the days stage of the Tour Down Under, Armstrong responded briefly with: "I have nothing to say." Armstrong said he had read the article: "I perused it - theres nothing there." Pressed to give a response, the exchange became more heated as Armstrong said to the reporter who posed the question: "What part of Im not commenting is not clear to you?" Later, he added: "I dont have anything to worry about, on any level." After the article appeared on Sports Illustrateds website, the twitter feed juanpelota, which is used by Armstrong for his triathlon activities, ran a brief comment: "thats it?"The exchanges in Australia and the Sports Illustrated report were an echo of the first time Armstrong retired from racing, after he took his seventh win in the Tour in 2005. A few weeks later the newspaper LEquipe splashed the headline Le Mensonge Armstrong (The Armstrong lie) across its front page, breaking the story that urine samples from the 1999 Tour de France had been retrospectively tested for the blood booster erythropoietin and six samples allegedly belonging to Armstrong had tested positive.Armstrong maintained he had never used performance-enhancing drugs and a report commissioned by the International Cycling Union ruled that no case should be brought against him. The report said the analysis of the urine samples were conducted improperly and that they "did not satisfy any standard for doping control testing".Sports Illustrated made the Texan cancer survivor their sportsman of the year in 2002 after his fourth Tour de France win, but today the magazine ran a 10-page feature entitled The Case Against Lance Armstrong, which reviewed many of the most notable claims against Armstrong and added a little to the list.The Sports Illustrated story was sparked off by an investigation into Armstrong by the US Food and Drug Agency, led by their agent Jeff Novitzky. The inquiry centres on armstrongs US Postal Team between 1999 and 2004, and has heard testimony from armstrongs former associates and some former team-mates, who have appeared in front of a grand jury in Los Angeles under subpoena. Novitzky extended his investigation to Europe last year, linking up with French and Italian police who have looked into Armstrong and US Postal in the past, without bringing proceedings.The most notable claim was that a letter from the drug-testing expert Don Catlin to USA Cycling in June 1999 detailing an unnamed cyclists testosterone testing results showed three aberrant results, one with a 9-1 ratio of testosterone to epitestosterone, one with a 7.6-1 ratio, one with 6.5 to 1. The cyclist was identified only by his drug-testing code numbers but, according to Sports Illustrated, "a source with knowledge of the request says that the cyclist was Lance Armstrong. The letter went on to detail the cyclists testosterone-epitestosterone results from 1991 to 1998, with one missing season: 1997, the only year Armstrong did not compete. Between 1983 and 2005, 6-1 was considered abnormally high but in 2005 the ratio was lowered to 4.0-1. The results were not reported as positive tests because follow-up tests did not confirm the initial result. Armstrong has never tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs.Sports Illustrated also claimed that when the Italian police and customs officials searched the house of armstrongs team-mate Yaroslav Popovych as part of the federal investigation, they found emails and texts that sources close to the inquiry believe show armstrongs team had contact with Ferrari as recently as 2009. However, Ferrari said in an interview at the end of 2009 that he was still in touch with Armstrong but "not for technical advice. We talk, we discuss things... Were friends."Armstrong has said recently that he is not concerned about Novitzky, and it is not yet clear how long the FDA agent will take to complete his inquiry.Lance Armstrong timelineJuly 1999 Traces of a banned corticosteroid found in a urine sample at the Tour de France. Armstrong produces a doctors note permitting use of a cream for saddle sores which contains the substance.July 2001 Armstrong confirms that he has worked with the controversial Italian trainer Michele Ferrari. He ends their formal association in 2004 after Ferrari is found guilty of sporting fraud, although the verdict against Ferrari is later ruled outside the statute of limitation.July 2004 The French sportswriter Pierre Ballester and the Irish writer David Walsh publish LA Confidentiel, an account, in French, that details circumstantial evidence suggesting Armstrong may have used banned drugs. The Texan rebuts the claims, saying, "extraordinary declarations must be followed up with extraordinary proof".August 2005 The newspaper lEquipe alleges that retrospective testing for research purposes on six urine samples allegedly given by Armstrong at the 1999 Tour showed the blood booster erythropoietin. An inquiry by the ICU rules that he has no case to answer.February 2006 An arbitration panel rules for Armstrong in a case against SCA Promotions, the company who insured his 5m performance bonuses. SCA withheld the bonuses claiming they had been obtained in part by the use of banned drugs. The panel rules that SCA cannot prove its case.May 2010 armstrongs former team-mate Floyd Landis alleges that the Americans US Postal Service team used blood doping, sparking a federal inquiry. armstrongs lawyer accuses Landis of lying.Lance ArmstrongCyclingDrugs in sportWilliam Fotheringham guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2011 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]

Tour organiser casts doubt on Landis Federal investigation in the USA could follow Scott Sunderland leaves Team SkyA tumultuous and at times surreal week for the sport of cycling began with reports in the Italian press of an investigation into "motorised doping" - following rumours that riders might be racing with tiny engines in their bikes - and continued today with the surprise announcement that Team Sky have parted company with their senior sports director, Scott Sunderland.The Australian, a key figure in the Dave Brailsford-led, Sky-financed squad, cited family reasons. He added, however, that his departure "does not mean that I will take distance from cycling". Whatever the reasons behind Sunderlands exit, just five months into the teams first season, it was a good day to bury bad news.Because dominating the agenda - and overshadowing events at the Giro dItalia and Tour of California as these two events reach their critical stages - is the continuing fallout from Floyd Landiss allegations that the seven-times Tour de France winner, Lance Armstrong, and other top American riders had used performance-enhancing drugs.Today the New York Times claimed that Landis, who was a team-mate of armstrongs for three years, but has struggled to resurrect his career after testing positive for testosterone after winning the 2006 Tour de France, had attempted to persuade other riders to confess to doping. The Tour of California organiser, Andrew Messick, told the paper that Landis "was trying to find other riders to come clean with him, but nobody would".Messick also alleged that Landis had contacted him in early April. "He told me, Ive been living a lie. I cant sleep at night. I have to ease my burden, so Ive got to tell the truth about what Ive done."I told him two things," Messick continued. "One, none of this is new. If you hang around cycling long enough, you hear things about riders and what theyve done. And two, what makes you think anyone would believe you?"With Landis so far the only witness to his allegations, it is this question that seems likely to hamper any investigation. The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) welcomed the 34-year-olds admission, after four years of denials, that he used a cocktail of doping products and methods, including EPO, growth hormone, steroids and blood-doping, from 2002, the year he joined armstrongs US Postal team.Wada also pledged to look into his allegations concerning Armstrong and others, and a federal investigation remains a possibility, with reports that Jeff Novitzky, who helped expose Marion Jones and others in the Balco case, has interviewed Landis.The reaction of Wada and the US Food and Drug Administration - for whom Novitzky is an agent - stood in stark contrast to that of the International Cycling Union (UCI), with the world governing bodys president, Pat McQuaid, quick to dismiss Landis as "a guy seeking revenge", and claiming that his allegations followed a failed attempt to "blackmail" the Tour of California organisers into inviting his new team.Late last night, the affair took a surreal twist with armstrongs decision to publish private emails allegedly sent by Landis to Messick and others, which - claimed an accompanying statement - "reveals a troubling, angry and misplaced effort at retribution by Landis for his perceived slights".At the Giro dItalia, meanwhile, stage 14 was won by Italys Vincenzo Nibali, with Bradley Wiggins an attacker on the slopes of Monte Grappa. Wiggins moved up to seventh overall, with David Arroyo of Spain taking over the pink jersey of race leader from young Australian Richie Porte.Lance ArmstrongFloyd LandisCyclingRichard Moore guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]

Doctor describes Landis allegations as a joke Lance Armstrong denies doping allegationsLuis Garcia del Moral, the chief doctor of Lance armstrongs United States Postal Service team when he won the Tour de France five times, has dismissed Floyd Landiss accusations that Armstrong and some team-mates used banned drugs.Del Moral, who oversaw the teams medical staff from 1999 to 2003, said he never witnessed any doping programmess during his time with the Johan Bruyneel-led American team.Landis has accused Armstrong of blood doping, which the seven-times Tour champion denies.Del Moral said Landiss allegations were "a joke" and that he was not aware of any cheating, saying: "I dont know anything about all of this." Del Moral said he would answer questions for federal investigators should he be summoned.Lance ArmstrongFloyd LandisDrugs in sportCycling guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]

Armstrong says 2010 Tour de France will be his last Seven-times winner looking forward to a great finaleThe seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong has announced that the 2010 Tour will be his last.The 38-year-old American, two years into a second comeback, tweeted the news just days before he begins his campaign for an unprecedented eighth victory in the gruelling event."And yes, this will be [my] final Tour de France. Its been a great ride," Armstrong tweeted. "Looking forward to three great weeks."Armstrong retired in 2005 but made a comeback last year, aged 37, saying he partly missed the thrill of competition but was driven by a greater cause, to help promote cancer awareness.He finished a creditable third in last years Tour, behind his Spanish team mate Alberto Contador, but formed his own Radioshack team for this years race after the pair fell out.This years Tour starts with a prologue in Rotterdam on Saturday and ends in Paris on 25 July.Contador remains the favourite to win but Armstrong is regarded among the main contenders.Lance ArmstrongTour de FranceCycling guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]

Bryan D. Daly is a former US federal prosecutor Investigation initiated after accusations by Floyd LandisLance Armstrong has hired a criminal defence attorney to represent him in the federal investigation into possible fraud and doping violations by the seven-times Tour de France winner and his cycling team-mates.Bryan D. Daly is a former US federal prosecutor based in Los Angeles and partner at the firm Sheppard Mullin Richter and Hampton.His hiring by Armstrong was first reported by The Daily Journal, a legal trade publication, and then by the New York Daily News.Daly confirmed to the AP on Wednesday that he had been hired by Armstrong.The investigation was initiated after accusations from Floyd Landis, a former team-mate of armstrongs on the US Postal team, in a series of emails sent to cycling and doping officials this spring.Armstrong, currently competing in his final Tour de France, has denied the allegations and questioned Landis credibility. Landis was stripped of his 2006 Tour title for doping.Lance ArmstrongCycling guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]

John Keker and Elliot Peters join armstrongs legal team Lawyers won case over baseballs anonymous test resultsThe American cyclist Lance Armstrong is adding to his legal team two lawyers who previously won a major legal victory against federal investigators in a doping case.John Keker and Elliot Peters represented Major League Baseball players as they won a key appeals court case two years ago in which a panel of federal judges ruled that agents had no right to seize baseballs anonymous drug-testing results from 2003.A top investigator in the baseball case, Jeff Novitzky, has been leading a federal probe into whether the seven-times Tour de France winner Armstrong took performance-enhancing drugs and led a systematic doping program on his US Postal team.On Thursday Keker criticised leaks of testimony to the media in the Armstrong case and called the investigation a waste of money.Lance ArmstrongDrugs in sportCycling guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2011 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]

Investigation centred on allegations of doping Seven-times Tour de France winner denied taking drugsUnited States federal prosecutors say they are closing a criminal investigation of Lance Armstrong, the seven-times Tour de France winner, and will not charge him over allegations that he used performance-enhancing drugs.The US attorney Andre Birotte Jr said the case had been closed but did not give the reason. Investigators looked at whether a doping programme was created to keep Armstrong and his team-mates running at the head of the pack while, at least part of the time, they received government sponsorship from the US Postal Service.armstrongs attorney Mark Fabiani welcomed the decision in a statement. "This is great news," he said. "Lance is pleased that the United States attorney made the right decision, and he is more determined than ever to devote his time and energy to Livestrong and to the causes that have defined his career."However the US Anti Doping Agency CEO Travis T Tygart has said that the matter is not over. "Unlike the US Attorney, Usadas job is to protect clean sport rather than enforce specific criminal laws," he indicated in a statement. "Our investigation into doping in the sport of cycling is continuing and we look forward to obtaining the information developed during the federal investigation."Armstrong won the Tour de France every year from 1999-2005 and has always fiercely denied doping.The investigation, anchored in Los Angeles where a grand jury was presented evidence by federal prosecutors and heard testimony from armstrongs former teammates and associates, began with a separate investigation of Rock Racing, a cycling team owned by the fashion entrepreneur Michael Ball.Birotte Jr announced that his office "is closing an investigation into allegations of federal criminal conduct by members and associates of a professional bicycle racing team owned in part by Lance Armstrong".The Armstrong probe was led by the federal agent Jeff Novitzky. US authorities sought assistance overseas, requesting urine samples of US Postal riders from Frances anti-doping agency and also meeting officials from Belgium, Spain and Italy.Prosecutors also subpoenaed Armstrong supporters and former team-mates to testify in Los Angeles. Among them were the Ukrainian cyclist Yaroslav Popovych, who rode on three Armstrong teams dating back to 2005; Allen Lim, an exercise physiologist for Team Radioshack; and the long-time Armstrong friend Stephanie McIlvain.The investigation was spurred by the disgraced cyclist Floyd Landis, who claims Armstrong had a long-running doping system in place while they were team-mates. Landis, who was stripped of the 2006 Tour de France title for drug use, acknowledged in 2010 he used performance-enhancing drugs after years of denying he cheated.One of the most serious accusations came during a "60 Minutes" interview last May when another former team-mate, Tyler Hamilton, said he saw Armstrong use EPO during the 1999 Tour de France and in preparation for the 2000 and 2001 tours.As the investigation progressed, Armstrong assembled a legal team, hired a spokesman and briefly created a website to address any of the allegations reported.Lance ArmstrongCyclingDrugs in sport guardian.co.uk © 2012 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]

RadioShack rider has belongings confiscated from Italian home Doping investigation into cycling is ongoing in ItalyLance armstrongs RadioShack team-mate Yaroslav Popovych has had his house in Italy raided by police as part of a doping investigation.The Italian media has reported that police and custom officials raided the Ukrainian riders home in Tuscany on Thursday and that computers and mobile phones were confiscated, along with unspecified substances.Gazzetta dello Sport reported that the search warrant was issued by the public prosecutor Bendetto Roberti, who is leading several doping investigations in Italy.Popovych recently testified in front of a grand jury in Los Angeles as part of an ongoing US investigation into doping in cycling.Popovychs lawyer, Ken Miller, told the Los Angeles Times earlier this month that he didnt think his client had anything to add to the doping probe."I dont believe he knows anything about what the grand jury is investigating," he said.Popovych rode with Armstrong for the Discovery Channel team in 2005, Astana in 2009 and RadioShack this year.Lance ArmstrongCyclingDrugs in sport guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]

Armstrong challenges fan who yelled Liar, cheat Tour de France preparations to continue in SwitzerlandLance Armstrong was rattled by a heckler after finishing third overall in the Tour of Luxembourg today.Torrential rain and storms disrupted the final stage and organisers had stopped timing 10km before the finish line. One fan yelled "liar, cheat" as Armstrong crossed behind the main pack and again as he spoke to reporters.The American looked over to the crowd and barked at the fan three times: "Come and do that to my face."Armstrong, who has never tested positive for performance enhancing drugs, was accused last month of doping by his former team-mate Floyd Landis.The 38-year-old shook off the incident and said he was pleased with his efforts on the road. "Its been a good four days. I felt strong. Any time you can win a race, be on a podium, in preparation, its important. I wouldnt have thought I would ride so strong this week."armstrongs season has been hampered by illness and a crash at last months Tour of California, and the American will step up his preparations for next months Tour de France with the demanding Tour of Switzerland from 12-20 June ."There are longer climbs, longer time trials," he said. "I think we have to make a good progression from here, to Switzerland and the Tour."Lance ArmstrongCycling guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]

Lis B-sample returns positive result for banned substance Chinese cyclist had been provisionally suspended in AprilChinas cycling authority has confirmed that one of Lance armstrongs Radioshack team-mates has failed a doping test after his B-sample was returned positive, according to local media reports. Li Fuyu had been provisionally suspended after testing positive for a banned substance in April."Now there is no doubt of him being not positive for doping," Zhang Bin, the secretary-general of the Chinese Cycling Association, was quoted as saying on the China Dailys website. "No matter what his excuse was, and no matter how prominent he is in China cycling, the result has been confirmed and it is impossible to change."The 32-year-old rider was provisionally suspended by the International Cycling Union after Clenbuterol was found in his A-sample following an in-competition test during the Dwars Door Vlaanderen race in Belgium in March.The Chinese authorities have yet to hand down punishment but their decision will be passed to the UCI this month, the paper said. Li, who had denied the charges at a recent hearing, faces a two-year ban according to Chinas anti-doping policy.Chinas first professional cyclist, Li joined Radioshack in the close season. His team said in April that he would be removed if the test result was confirmed.Cycling guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]

Schleck leads Contador by 41 seconds after ninth stage Right now, it looks like its Alberto versus meThe Tour de France leader Andy Schleck is turning up the pressure on the defending champion Alberto Contador, saying: "Right now, it looks like its Alberto versus me".With the seven-times champion Lance Armstrong and the two-times runner-up Cadel Evans of Australia out of contention, Schleck leads Contador by just 41 seconds after yesterdays ninth stage, and the Luxembourg rider is trying to unsettle his Spanish rival. "Were pretty equal," Schleck said. "If he wants to win this, hes got to attack me."Sandy Casar won the stage in a thrilling sprint finish, with Schleck and Contador closing in fast as the Frenchman crossed the line narrowly ahead of Luis Leon Sanchez of Spain and Damiano Cunego of Italy. The front three clocked 5 hours, 38 minutes, 10 seconds - two seconds faster than Schleck and Contador.Casars win was spectacular, but the real drama unfolded elsewhere during the 127-mile trek from Morzine to Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne high in the French Alps.After a stalemate up the opening two category one climbs - Col de la Colombiere and Col des Saisies - Schleck tried to break Contador on the mammoth finale up the Col de la Madeleine, a climb so daunting it defies classification.Schleck surged ahead no fewer than three times, but each time Contador controlled the attacks. "The others can also attack, but they dont," Schleck said. "Right now it looks like its Alberto versus me."Contador dominated the climbs last year, but Schleck is stronger now, and - like Armstrong used to do to the German rider Jan Ullrich in his prime - is trying to apply pressure with double-edged compliments."Its possible he might be better in the Pyrenees. Me, too, you know," Schleck said, pausing before adding: "I will be better in the Pyrenees than him."Yesterdays stage knocked the overnight leader Evans out of the equation, and he is unlikely to get a podium place. "I had a big crash at the start of that day [Sunday] and Im really paying the consequences from that," Evans said.Riding with a fractured left elbow, Evans dropped to 18th place overall, nearly eight minutes behind Schleck. Armstrong, who was affected by three crashes on Sunday, fared better yesterday, finishing the stage in 18th place compared to 61st. But he lost more time overall and languishes in 31st overall. Armstrong and his RadioShack team are now focusing on getting his fellow American rider Levi Leipheimer into a podium finish.The Spanish rider Samuel Sanchez is third and is 1:14 ahead of Leipheimer, who is sixth overall ahead of todays 10th stage from Chambery to Gap, an 179km trek featuring a single category one climb."We have got to help Levi stay up as high as he can," Armstrong said. "With his ability to time trial, hopefully we can come close to the podium."Yesterdays Madeleine pass was familiarly grueling for Armstrong. "Its steep at the end and its high. Its just hard. Thats a legitimate climb," Armstrong said. "Its certainly the hardest climb weve done this year. Theres no hiding on the Madeleine."Todays stage brings back memories of one of armstrongs more memorable Tour moments. Back in 2003, the stage also finished in Gap on 14 July. armstrongs Spanish rival Joseba Beloki broke suddenly and fell in front of him when they zoomed down a hill with sharp bends. Belokis fall on the sticky tarmac forced Armstrong to swerve dramatically, pick up his bike, run across a field and down a short bank before resaddling."I hope I stay out of the field on Wednesday," Armstrong said. "Theres no way I could pull that off two times in a row."Tour de FranceCycling guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]

Lance Armstrong must again fend off allegations made by former team-mates that he cheated in racesLance Armstrong faces new allegations of doping.Havent we heard this story before? Yes. Weve been round this block many times. And many times Armstrong and his people have denied the allegations, pointed to his record of never having tested positive, cast aspersions on the bona fides of those making the accusations, and taken legal action if necessary.He is the seven-time winner of the Tour de France, not a dope cheat, and it would be unwise to suggest otherwise.That is certainly the view of Lance Armstrong that pertains among the vast majority of the American public, and internationally, too. To these millions, Lance Armstrong is the inspirational cancer survivor who came back virtually from the dead and claimed the cycling worlds most coveted title an astonishing seven consecutive times. He is an all-American hero, who has used his fame to raise millions for fighting cancer. He has become a brand thats far bigger than professional bike racing. How many people whove worn a yellow Livestrong wristband do you suppose have even heard of Tyler Hamilton or Floyd Landis, who, unlike Lance, have been busted for doping and are now hawking to publishers their tawdry tales of pills and syringes in the peloton?But there is now a big difference, potentially. Tyler Hamiltons allegations on CBS over the weekend are, he would have us believe, the same testimony he has given under oath to the federal investigations grand jury, which will decide whether there is sufficient evidence to launch a prosecution of Armstrong and his associates on the US Postal team for fraud - that is, taking federal funding under false pretences (by being sponsored to race and win clean, when, in fact, they were using performance-enhancing drugs). More credible than Hamilton, George Hincapie, another long-time team-mate of armstrongs, is also reported to have testified before the grand jury that the team was doping. armstrongs lawyer has issued denials of these new allegations.The game-changer here is that the justice department and FBI have the powerful weapon of subpoenaing witnesses and compelling them to testify under oath. Few former professional racing cyclists, recently retired, with young families, a little anxious about their investment portfolios and thinking about what to do next after 15 years in the saddle, are going to be willing to risk a charge of perjury out of loyalty to associates in a sport theyre no longer in. There is a larger question raised by this latest episode, which has involved an allegation - strongly denied by the parties accused - that cyclings governing body, the UCI, was involved in a backroom deal in 2001 between Armstrong, his manager and a Swiss laboratory to suppress a positive test for the blood-doping agent EPO. And that question is: given the persistence of cyclings apparent issue with doping, is its governing body sufficiently independent and possessed of the political will to police the problem? All the really big systemic busts in cycling have been not by anti-doping authorities, but by old-fashioned police work: the Festina scandal in 1998, the Operacion Puerto investigation of 2006-2007, and now - maybe - the feds in the US. And this is an issue that goes beyond cycling: in the US, baseballs name has just been dragged through the mud by evidence heard in the Barry Bonds trial. Bonds, who holds the record for the most home runs ever hit, has been convicted of obstructing justice in a trial over illegal performance-enhancing drugs and faces a prison sentence.It is Bonds nemesis, agent Jeff Novitzky, who is now investigating Lance Armstrong. What Armstrong is to the American public in cycling, so was Bonds once for baseball.Lance ArmstrongCyclingDrugs in sportUnited StatesCBSUS televisionMatt Seaton guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2011 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]

Its not about vindication or making a point, says Landis Tyler Hamiltons allegations to be televised in US on SundayAs another of Lance armstrongs former team-mates, Tyler Hamilton, broke cover on Friday to claim that the seven-times Tour de France winner had used banned drugs, Hamilton was supported by another whistle-blower, Floyd Landis, whose revelations a year ago sparked a United States federal inquiry into Armstrong and his former team US Postal Service that remains ongoing."Hes a person that got caught in a bad situation and, although it can be hard for people to understand from the outside, I hope they try. Thats all you can ask for really," Landis said. "For me its not about vindication or making a point or justifying what I did. I feel the same sentiment in Tylers letter, or at least felt it a lot stronger a year ago."Landis, a self-confessed doper, was referring to an open letter issued by Hamilton to cycling fans and friends, stating that he had testified for over six hours before the grand jury that is hearing witness statements in the Armstrong inquiry, and describing the relief he felt on confessing."Until that moment I walked into the courtroom, I hadnt told a soul. My testimony went on for six hours. For me it was like the Hoover dam breaking. I opened up; I told the whole truth and nothing but the truth. And I felt a sense of relief Id never felt before - all the secrets, all the weight Id been carrying around for years suddenly lifted. I saw that, for me personally, this was the way forward."Armstrong has always denied any use of banned drugs. His spokesman reiterated that the cyclist had passed almost 500 drug tests in 20 years and accusing Hamilton of changing his story to attract a publishers interest in a book.Hamiltons doping history is a murky one. He tested positive twice for blood doping in 2004, although only the second test - in the Vuelta a Espana - led to sanctions. He was also named in the Operation Puerto blood doping inquiry in Spain in 2006, amid allegations he had used a cocktail of substances including EPO, growth hormone, testosterone and cortisone. He returned to racing after a two-year ban but tested positive in 2009 for the banned steroid DHEA.Hamiltons allegations against Armstrong came during an interview with the CBS news programme 60 Minutes, to be released on Sunday. He is the first team- mate of armstrongs to allege that he actually saw the Tour winner inject a banned substance, although in his interview on CBSs Evening News on Thursday he did not go into any more details.Hamilton was the 2004 Olympic time-trial champion, although that title was marred by a positive blood doping test, later overruled on a technicality. The United States Anti-Doping Agency said on Fridaythat Hamilton had handed over his gold medal, after the IOC said it could strip him of it.The title will go to the Russian Viatcheslav Ekimov, as Armstrong pointed out in his reaction on Twitter: Congratulations to eki_ekimov on his 3rd Olympic Gold Medal!!It remains to be seen what effect Hamiltons allegation will have on the inquiry into Armstrong, but another high-profile case is approaching resolution. On Friday the Court of Arbitration for Sport confirmed that the appeal into Alberto Contadors clenbuterol positive will take place from June 6-8.That reflects the desire of the Tour de France organisers that the case be decided before the start of this years race. Contador was cleared of any offence by the Spanish Cycling Federation, which initially looked into the test result from last years Tour de France, but appeals were lodged by both the International Cycling Union and World Anti-Doping Agency.If Contador loses the case, he will be stripped of his win in last years Tour.Lance ArmstrongDrugs in sportCyclingTour de FranceWilliam Fotheringham guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2011 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]