ID :
22390
Fri, 10/03/2008 - 09:28
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/22390
The shortlink copeid
Armstrong's comeback call set to be made
Tour Down Under officials expect to know on Friday whether Lance Armstrong will make his comeback to professional cycling in their event next January.
The seven-time Tour de France winner wants to return to elite racing in the six-day
tour in South Australia capital.
But technically, due to drug testing regulations, he's not eligible to return until
February 1 - six days after the Tour finishes.
Tour Down Under director Mike Turtur said he was told by the International Cycling
Union (UCI) on Wednesday they would have a decision "in about 48 hours".
"That was about 24 hours ago, so we're hoping to hear by Friday," Turtur said.
"We still don't know which way it will go."
Turtur and the SA Government announced two weeks ago that Armstrong would make his
comeback at the Australian race.
But the UCI requires riders coming out of retirement to be in the sport's
anti-doping program for six months before racing.
Armstrong filed paperwork on August 1 with the US Anti-Doping Agency and said he had
already been drug-tested - in late August.
Meanwhile, Armstrong has rejected an offer from a French anti-doping agency to allow
the lab to re-test his alleged suspect urine samples from the 1999 Tour de France.
"There is simply nothing I can agree to that would provide any relevant evidence
about 1999," he said.
The anti-doping agency (AFLD) proposed that Armstrong agree to have the samples
re-tested to see whether they contained the banned blood-boosting drug EPO
(erythropoietin).
The 37-year-old American was accused in 2005 by French sports newspaper L'Equipe of
using performance-boosting drugs.
L'Equipe claimed six urine samples from his 1999 Tour victory contained the banned
blood-boosting endurance drug EPO.
Armstrong has always vehemently denied doping.
In an attempt to silence the critics, Armstrong's new team, Astana, has hired a
drug-testing guru to monitor his comeback.
Armstrong said he would not agree to the re-testing because the samples in question
had been spoiled due to mishandling by the French laboratory.
The seven-time Tour de France winner wants to return to elite racing in the six-day
tour in South Australia capital.
But technically, due to drug testing regulations, he's not eligible to return until
February 1 - six days after the Tour finishes.
Tour Down Under director Mike Turtur said he was told by the International Cycling
Union (UCI) on Wednesday they would have a decision "in about 48 hours".
"That was about 24 hours ago, so we're hoping to hear by Friday," Turtur said.
"We still don't know which way it will go."
Turtur and the SA Government announced two weeks ago that Armstrong would make his
comeback at the Australian race.
But the UCI requires riders coming out of retirement to be in the sport's
anti-doping program for six months before racing.
Armstrong filed paperwork on August 1 with the US Anti-Doping Agency and said he had
already been drug-tested - in late August.
Meanwhile, Armstrong has rejected an offer from a French anti-doping agency to allow
the lab to re-test his alleged suspect urine samples from the 1999 Tour de France.
"There is simply nothing I can agree to that would provide any relevant evidence
about 1999," he said.
The anti-doping agency (AFLD) proposed that Armstrong agree to have the samples
re-tested to see whether they contained the banned blood-boosting drug EPO
(erythropoietin).
The 37-year-old American was accused in 2005 by French sports newspaper L'Equipe of
using performance-boosting drugs.
L'Equipe claimed six urine samples from his 1999 Tour victory contained the banned
blood-boosting endurance drug EPO.
Armstrong has always vehemently denied doping.
In an attempt to silence the critics, Armstrong's new team, Astana, has hired a
drug-testing guru to monitor his comeback.
Armstrong said he would not agree to the re-testing because the samples in question
had been spoiled due to mishandling by the French laboratory.
