US cycling leaders back Lance

2005-08-27 13:16

Colorado Springs, Colorado - Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong received the support of USA Cycling officials here on Friday in his fight against accusations of doping by the French newspaper L'Equipe.

Steve Johnson, USA Cycling's chief operating officer, said the allegations that urine samples from Armstrong taken in 1999 tested positive in a French lab for the banned substance EPO were "preposterous".

He added that the claims would not tarnish Armstrong's legend or legacy.

"I don't think it's going to have any affect at all," Johnson said. "Sponsors didn't have any questions. It's not going to have any change on the American perspective on the man and what he's done."

There has been no suggestion that Armstrong faces any punishment under World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) rules.

For one, his "A" sample was used up six years ago and the tests, taken by a lab to test new EPO procedures, were conducted purportedly on his "B" sample. Sample tampering safeguards and preservation quality undertaken are uncertain.

L'Equipe is the only group claiming to have evidence that identifies the samples in question as that of Armstrong, the only rider so identified by the newspaper.

"It's unfair. At the end of the day, there can't be any due process," said Johnson. "If you ask me, that's the point. 'If we can't catch him, let's do it in the press.'"

"It's a publication in a French newspaper. That's all. It's a ridiculous allegation."

Johnson also points to the ownership of the newspaper, which runs the Tour, and a history of past unproven accusations against Armstrong and says it is clear that L'Equipe simply has an agenda to smear Armstrong.

"You look at the source of the information and how this has developed and everybody comes to the conclusion there's some sort of sour grapes going on," Johnson said.

"It was intentionally leaked to the newspaper. It's the continuation of an old story."

Johnson was upset that Wada boss Dick Pound would seek the samples and say the matter merits more scrutiny, saying he gives credibility to a matter that can produce no punishment under current doping punishment methods.

"Dick Pound should know better," Johnson said. "This isn't how the whole doping process works. Lance has been denied due process in any normal investigation. It's ridiculous the way the whole thing has been handled.

"There are protocols laboratories are expected to adhere to. There are methods for handling samples, for analysis of the samples. All this hasn't happened in this case.

"Once it goes into the official machine of doping control, it will have to stop. The universally accepted due process can't be followed in this case."

- AFP