UCI responds to Landis's accusations

The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) - cycle sport's governing body - has released a statement in response to the doping allegations made by Floyd Landis which were published this morning by the Wall Street Journal.

In a series of emails to cycling authorities in the US and abroad, Landis admitted doping during his cycling career. He also alleged Lance Armstrong and several other American cyclists helped him to dope and/or performed illegal doping themselves. He also named his former US Postal team boss Johan Bruyneel in the comprehensive allegations.

In the statement, the UCI passes the onus on to the riders named by Landis to respond to his allegations - inferring that the UCI is not going to take action itself.

The brief statement from the UCI reads: "The International Cycling Union has learned of the declarations made by Mr Floyd Landis and published in the Wall Street Journal.

"The UCI regrets that Mr Landis has publicly accused individuals without allowing sufficient time for the relevant US authorities to investigate.

"An impartial investigation is a fundamental right, as Mr Landis will understand having contested, for two years, the evidence of his breach of the Anti-Doping Rules in 2006.

"The UCI will leave it to the individuals accused by Mr Landis to take the position they see fit with regards to this issue."

Earlier, UCI president Pat McQuaid aired more forthright views and was quoted by the BBC as saying: "What's his agenda? The guy is seeking revenge. It's sad, it's sad for cycling. It's obvious he does hold a grudge.

"He already made those accusations in the past. I have to question the guy's credibility. There is no proof of what he says. We are speaking about a guy who has been condemned for doping before a court."

Landis was stripped of his 2006 Tour de France win after testing positive for synthetic testosterone at the race. He was subsequently banned from competition for two years and undertook a lengthy court battle to 'clear his name'.

Related links

Landis admits he doped and implicates others