Biking Bis - Bicycle Touring

Federal criminal probe against Lance Armstrong closed; USADA still investigating

Gene Bisbee — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:47:00 -0800

If you believed in Lance Armstrong through all the mud-slinging, government leaks and "60 Minutes" disclosures, I suppose you feel vindicated today.

Federal prosecutors in Los Angeles told the Associated Press that they've closed a criminal investigation into doping allegations against the 7-time Tour de France winner.

A statement from the U.S. attorney's office said Armstrong would not be criminally charged, but did not explain why. This is a breaking story as I write this; I expect more explanation will follow at VeloNews or CyclingNews.

Apparently Armstrong isn't free and clear yet, however. US Anti Doping Agency head Travis Tygert said they are still pursuing ...

Lance Armstrong returns to Iowa for a bike ride at RAGBRAI

Gene Bisbee — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 00:35:00 -0700

Since he skipped the Tour de France this year, Lance Armstrong must have been in fresh shape for his return to RAGBRAI on Tuesday.

This is the 7-time Tour winner's fourth visit to the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, which is rolling across the state this week from Glenwood to Davenport.

In previous years, the Armstrong-mania got so crazy that it became a distraction. Many thought the cross-state bike tour could be renamed Lance-BRAI.

This year, the reaction was more manageable. Armstrong flew in from Paris to spend the day cycling with members of the Livestrong Army, above ....

That "60 Minutes" investigation of Lance Armstrong

Gene Bisbee — Sun, 22 May 2011 18:40:00 -0700

The biggest story in cycling -- perhaps all of sports -- right now is the "60 Minutes" report on the investigation of whether Lance Armstrong used performance-enhancing drugs, such as EPO, during his career.

It's an allegation that has dogged him since his first Tour de France victory in 1999, but it gained renewed vigor last year when former teammate Floyd Landis admitted to doping and charged that Armstrong did too.

A federal grand jury has been empaneled in Los Angeles to look into the accusations, primarily as they relate to Armstrong's tenure on the US Postal Service team.

Prosecutors have called a number of witnesses, including former teammates Tyler Hamilton and George Hincapie."60 Minutes" interviewer Scott Palley said they've been investigating the issue themselves for six months.

Except for the one-on-one interview with Hamilton, much of the information in the report comes from leaked documents and secret grand jury testimony.

In case you didn't see the show, here are the two segments. (Part 2 on jump)....

Hincapie told feds about Armstrong doping: 60 Minutes;
Update: Armstrong attorney responds

Gene Bisbee — Fri, 20 May 2011 21:27:00 -0700

Cyclist George Hincapie is among three former US Postal Service team members who told federal investigators that Lance Armstrong used performance-enhancing drugs, "60 Minutes" is reporting in a story to air Sunday.

Hincapie, currently racing in the Amgen Tour of California, was a teammate of Armstrong on all seven of his Tour de France championships.

A CBSNews story on Friday said that Hincapie told investigators that he and Armstrong supplied each other with EPO and discussed using testosterone to prepare for bike races. CBSNews does not reveal the source of the information....

Tyler Hamilton saw Lance Armstrong use EPO: '60 Minutes'

Gene Bisbee — Thu, 19 May 2011 17:28:00 -0700

Former Lance Armstrong teammate Tyler Hamilton tells "60 Minutes" in a show to air Sunday that he saw the 7-time Tour de France winner use performance-enhancing drugs.

"I saw it (EPO) in his refrigerator. I saw him inject it, more than one time. ... Like we all did.... Like I did, many many times."

Armstrong, who has steadfastly denied ever doping during his career, responded on Twitter:

"20+ year career. 500 drug controls worldwide, in and out of competition. Never a failed test. I rest my case." ....

Lance Armstrong retires from cycling for the last time

Gene Bisbee — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 08:35:00 -0800

There will be no grand tour of last bicycle races for Lance Armstrong, who announced his retirement -- dubbed Retirement 2.0 -- from the sport effective immediately.

The 39-year-old raced in January at the Tour Down Under in Australia, which he previously said would be his last international race. The announcement brings to an end any possibility that he might compete in the upcoming Amgen Tour of California or Quizno's Pro Challenge in Colorado.

Armstrong returned to pro cycling in 2009 after announcing Retirement 1.0 in 2005. He's retiring now to spend more time with his family and work to fight cancer with his Livestrong Foundation. ....

Armstrong raises money for flood victims

Gene Bisbee — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 09:06:00 -0800

Lance Armstrong followed up his swan song in the international pro cycling arena with a fund-raising Twitter ride in the state of Queensland, Australia.

Armstrong's final appearance as a cyclist in an international bike race ended with a 67th place in the Tour Down Under. The 39-year-old finished 6:42 minutes behind winner Cameron Meyer, 23, of Australia.

The next day, ...

Sports Illustrated examines doping allegations against Armstrong

Gene Bisbee — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 09:48:00 -0800

Sports Illustrated has delivered the latest grist to be chewed on regarding allegations that Lance Armstrong used performance-enhancing drugs during his career.

Available in the current issue, "The Case Against Lance Armstrong" also is posted online at the Sports Illustrated website. Reporters Selena Roberts and David Epstein went back as far as 1993 to uncover tests that sources say reveal suspicious activity.

Armstrong has steadfastly denied doping during his career. But he is the subject of a federal probe launched about the same time that Floyd Landis admitted to a career of doping and implicated Armstrong as well. ...

Documents reveal Postal Service deal with cycling team

Gene Bisbee — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 10:42:00 -0800

The U.S. Postal Service supplied slightly more than 60% of the annual budget of the pro cycling team led by Lance Armstrong from 2001 to 2004.

The $32 million sum -- including $6.1 million in 2001; $7.61 million in 2002; $8.23 million in 2003; and $8.66 million in 2004, plus a total of $400,000 for a junior program -- was revealed in documents released to ESPN.com under a freedom of information request. ...

Meanwhile, the AP received studies commissioned by the US Postal Service that valued its sponsorship of the team during those years was at least triple the amount it invested ...

Quote: Armstrong the cycling revolutionary

Gene Bisbee — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 06:57:00 -0800

"We revolutionised the way people train, the way they build morale in the team, the way they preview the courses, the way they race, the way they sell the sport, the way they tell that story around the world.

''I leave knowing that I did my best, and I don't need somebody to give me a plaque or give me a statue, it has been very good to me.''

-- Lance Armstrong speaking at a press conference ...