So USADA (United States Anti
Doping Agency) have released their report.
I have not read the report (I unfortunately don't have time to
read the 1000 page report) but from reports on the BBC and from following
@mattslaterbbc a BBC Sports Journalist, it is clear that Lance Armstrong is not
only implicated in doping, but was the instigator and ring leader of doping in
the US Postal team.
As mentioned in my blog Vuelta and Omerta last month the weight of
testimony from former teammates had placed doubts on Armstrong's credibility
regarding doping.
Those team mates were all already retired and many of them
discredited. The report from USADA includes new testimony from team mates with
more to lose.
David Zabriskie, Levi Leipheimer, Christian Vande Velde, Tom
Danielsson, Michael Barry and George Hincapie were all riding whilst they gave
evidence to the USADA, they have all been banned for 6 months from September
2012 for 6 months. This will mean by the time the season starts in earnest in
March they will be back, it is effectively a wrap on the wrists.
These riders certainly had more credibility than the likes of
Floyd Landis and Tyler Hamilton, who were discredited before they spoke
out.
That a total
of 26 former riders and members of staff, testified,
shows the weight of evidence against Armstrong. Further evidence is given in payments
to Dr. Michele Ferrari, a Doctor who was found guilty by the Italian
cycling body of having been involved in administering doping products to
riders.
Armstrong has long been connected to Ferrari, but denied
that this was the case. This has been found to be one of many lies that
Armstrong has told.
One key lie is the centre of Armstrong's defence, that he has
never failed a drugs test. The truth of this statement is in doubt, as evidence
has emerged, from rider testimonies, that Armstrong tested positive in 2009
just a month or so before the Tour de France.
This positive was then apparently covered up by the UCI (Cycling's
governing body) in return for payments from Armstrong to the UCI.
This is the equivalent of Wayne Rooney being caught cheating or
taking drugs, then going to the FA paying them some money and then no action
being taken.
This questions the whole integrity of the governing body of
cycling.
Integrity is a word that is now distanced from Armstrong. His
cycling achievements are now overshadowed by this evidence.
However what is not in doubt is that he beat cancer, we should
remember Armstrong the cancer survivor and charity fundraiser, but Armstrong
the cycling legend and hero, he's now a distant memory.
