UCI urges Armstrong to testify

FILE - OCTOBER 22: Cycling's Governing Body UCI Bans Lance Armstrong for Life and Strips him of Seven Tour de France titles following doping allegations. LE GRAND BORNAND, FRANCE - JULY 22: Lance Armstrong of the USA and riding for US Postal Service presented by Berry Floor celebrates as he wins stage 17 of the Tour de France on July 22, 2004 from Bourg d'Oisans to le Grand Bornand, France. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

FILE - OCTOBER 22: Cycling's Governing Body UCI Bans Lance Armstrong for Life and Strips him of Seven Tour de France titles following doping allegations. LE GRAND BORNAND, FRANCE - JULY 22: Lance Armstrong of the USA and riding for US Postal Service presented by Berry Floor celebrates as he wins stage 17 of the Tour de France on July 22, 2004 from Bourg d'Oisans to le Grand Bornand, France. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Published Jan 15, 2013

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Lausanne – Cycling's world governing body on Tuesday called on Lance Armstrong to give evidence to its investigation into widespread doping, amid reports that the US rider would admit taking banned substances in an interview.

The International Cycling Union (UCI) said in an emailed statement that it would not be commenting until the interview with chat show host Oprah Winfrey had been broadcast, although it “noted” media reports that he had “finally come clean”.

“If these reports are true, we would strongly urge Lance Armstrong to testify to the Independent Commission established to investigate the allegations made against the UCI in the recent USADA (US Anti-Doping Agency) reasoned decision on Lance Armstrong and the United States Postal Service (USPS) team,” it added.

The USADA last year placed Armstrong at the heart of what it said was the most sophisticated doping programme in the history of sport, banned him from cycling for life and stripped him of his record seven Tour de France victories.

The UCI, which later upheld the decision, is looking at how it handled the affair, with questions asked about how the rider was able to evade detection for so long. The commission is due to report by June 1. – Sapa-AFP

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