Lance Armstrong Doping Controversy - Dr. Michel Ferrari

In this blog, I examine public information regarding Lance Armstrong's relationship with Dr. Michele Ferrari, an Italian physician and long-time cycling coach, and some history of the doctor himself, including associations with other riders. He has spent years developing training regimens for professional cyclists (1).

Dr. Ferrari has long been a controversial figure in cycling. In 1994, after three riders under his care swept the Belgian Classic Fleche Wallonne, inquiries were made into his training methods. When peppered with questions by journalists alluding to performance-enhancing drugs, Dr. Ferrari is reported to have stated that you could only say someone was doping if they tested positive for a banned substance; "If it doesn't show up in the drug controls, then it's not doping" (2).

Dr. Ferrari is also alleged to have stated that, if he were a rider, he would take everything he could get away with. Yet another famous quote attributed to Dr. Ferrari in 1994, which Armstrong described as an 'irresponsible comment': "EPO is not dangerous; it's the abuse that is. It's also dangerous to drink 10 litres of orange juice" (3).

In 1984, Dr. Ferrari and his mentor, Francesco Conconi, helped Francesco Moser break the one-hour cycling record, previously held by Eddy Merckx, who rode a distance of 49.431 kilometers in one hour in 1972. On January 19, 1894, Moser rode 50.808 kilometers in one hour, breaking Merckx's record by almost one mile. Just four days later, Moser broke his own standard, bettering his own record by riding 51.151 kilometers (4).

Dr. Ferrari was under suspicion for using performance-enhancing drugs to assist professional riders under his care since 1998. While blood doping was not banned at the time of Moser's incredible record rides, Moser admitted in 1999 his records in 1984 were the result of the use of performance-enhancing blood doping techniques, where his own blood was stored and then transfused before a major event, thus increasing the amount of oxygen-carrying red blood cells (5).

In August 1998, Italian police raided Dr. Ferrari's home, seizing files and records, including riders' diaries. Little evidence linked to Armstrong was found, perhaps due to the fact he did not ride in 1997 while he battled cancer. One Armstrong record did note a hematocrit level of 47; a record attributed to Kevin Livingston noted a hematocrit level of 49.9. Prior to the formulation of a test to confirm EPO use, hematocrit levels over 50 were subject to a 15-day ban. Livingston was a U.S. Postal Service team-mate of Armstrong's in 1999 and 2000 (6).

According to Italian investigators, further investigation showed Armstrong met with Dr. Ferrari during a two-day visit in March 1999, a three-day visit in May 2000, a two-day visit in August 2000 and a one-day visit in September 2000 (7). In 2001, Armstrong moved to Girona, Switzerland. Did Armstrong do so in order to have better access to Dr. Ferrari?

In 2001, several European newspapers reiterated the doping allegations against Dr. Ferrari. David Walsh, in a London Times article, also raised the spectre of doping in professional cycling and questioned how Armstrong could be successful in a sport so rife with drugs (8).

In an April 2001 interview with Walsh, Armstrong was confronted with apparent evidence of his travels to Italy. Armstrong refused to confirm or deny he was working with Dr. Ferrari, equivocally stating that 'perhaps' he might be doing so (9).

However, on July 8, 2001, in response to allegations with respect to his relationship with Dr. Ferrari, Armstrong released a written statement regarding the Italian physician. In his statement, Armstrong confirmed he and his coach and training advisor, Chris Carmichael, first met Dr. Ferrari in 1995 at a training camp in San Diego, California. He stated that Dr. Ferrari's role was limited and his involvement was, in part, based on the fact he was based in Europe. Since Carmichael could not always travel to Europe and trusted Dr. Ferrari's testing methods, Dr. Ferrari was used to conduct tests and provide data to Carmichael (10).

Armstrong stated that Dr. Ferrari provided advice regarding diet, altitude preparation, hypoxic training and the use of altitude tents, all natural methods of improvement. Interestingly, Armstrong also acknowledged he was training to break the one-hour cycling record (11). It seems a curious statement given Moser's acknowledgement in 1999 that Dr. Ferrari assisted him with blood-doping during his assault on the one-hour record.

As a result of the investigation by Italian police, Dr. Ferrari was charged with sports fraud and, in September 2001, his trial began. Though the trial lasted over three years, Livingston and Alex Merckx, son of the great Eddy Merckx, both riders who had received training advice from Dr. Ferrari, were 'unable to testify' (12).

In February 2002, Italian rider Filippo Simeoni testified at the trial. Simeoni admitted to taking EPO and growth hormone under the instruction of Dr. Ferrari. He stated he began to visit Dr. Ferrari in his hometown of Farrara in 1996 and was prescribed both drugs by the doctor. Simeoni further acknowledged discussions with Dr. Ferrari in March and April 1997 regarding Andriol, a form of testosterone (13).

Simeoni testified that Dr. Ferrari advised him to take Andriol after long rides of five or six hours, that he should avoid the use of testosterone too close to competition to avoid detection, to use a product called Emagel prior to doping controls and another product to decrease Hematocrit levels (14).

In October 2004, Dr. Ferrari was convicted of sports fraud and abuse of his medical license in Italian court. However, it was reported in May 2006 that, on appeal, Dr. Ferrari's conviction was overturned (15).

Immediately after his conviction, Armstrong formally severed all ties with Dr. Ferrari (16).

In 2007, Alexandre Vinokourov reportedly acknowledged he began an association with Dr. Ferrari after the end of the 2005 season when he left the T-Mobile team. Vinokourov mentioned Armstrong's prior association with Dr. Ferrari as justification for the relationship (17).

On July 24, 2007, Vinokourov tested positive for blood doping at the Tour de France. When his "B" sample confirmed the positive test, he was banned for one year. In December 2007, Vinokourov announced his retirement from professional cycling (18).

Vinokourov reportedly told Belgian TV programme, Sporza, that he wished to return to professional cycling (19). In October 2008, Vinokourov noted that he wanted to join Armstrong at Astana after a management overhaul that had brought in Johan Bruyneel, a long-time close confidant and coach of Armstrong (20).

Vinokourov claimed Astana had originally been "created for him and thanks to his efforts." Somewhat ironically, despite his indication he wished to ride for the Astana team now run by Bruyneel, by July 2009 he was at odds with Bruyneel and the new Astana team. He suggested that, if Bruyneel did not want him on the team, it would be Bruyneel that would be leaving (21).

Despite having one year left on his contract, Bruyneel was permitted to leave. Thereafter, many Astana riders, including Armstrong, Levi Leipheimer, Yaroslav Popovych and Chechu Rubiera, among others, left Astana for the Radio Shack team (22).

In November 2010, Italian police raided the home of Popvych, a team-mate of Armstrong on the Discovery Channel team from 2005 to 2007. Popovych was also a team-mate of Armstrong on Astana in 2009. The police discovered performance-enhancing drugs and documents, including e-mails, which linked Armstrong to Dr. Ferrari as recently as 2009, despite the fact Armstrong had ostensibly 'severed' ties with Dr. Ferrari in 2004 (23).

It was further reported that Armstrong met with Dr. Ferrari several times in the years between 2004 and 2009 and, in particular, met with him prior to the 2009 Tour de France (24).

Numerous riders have had an association with Dr. Ferrari and other allegations of the use of performance-enhancing drugs have surfaced. These further allegations will be the subject of a future blog; the information noted above, though, does cast a cloud over the practices of Dr. Ferrari and of Armstrong's association with him.

Notes:

(1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michele_Ferrari
(2) http://books.google.com/books?id=M8UDAAAAMBAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false
(3) http://books.google.com/books?id=M8UDAAAAMBAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false
(4) http://books.google.com/books?id=M8UDAAAAMBAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false
(5) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francesco_Moser

(6) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/US_Postal_Service_Cycling_Team

(7) http://books.google.com/books?id=M8UDAAAAMBAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false 
(8) http://velonews.competitor.com/2001/07/news/armstrong-says-ferrari-relationship-proper-2_1093?refresh=1
(9) http://velonews.competitor.com/2001/07/news/armstrong-says-ferrari-relationship-proper-2_1093?refresh=1
(10) http://velonews.competitor.com/2001/07/news/armstrong-says-ferrari-relationship-proper-2_1093?refresh=1
(11) http://velonews.competitor.com/2001/07/news/armstrong-says-ferrari-relationship-proper-2_1093?refresh=1
(12) http://books.google.com/books?id=M8UDAAAAMBAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false
(13) http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/news/2002/feb02/feb13news.php
(14) http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/news/2002/feb02/feb13news.php
(15) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michele_Ferrari
(16) ttp://books.google.com/books?id=M8UDAAAAMBAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false
(17) http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/vino-tells-of-ferrari-link
(18) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Vinokourov
(19) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Vinokourov
(20) http://www.bicycle.net/2008/disgraced-vinokourov-looks-to-join-up-with-armstrong-at-team-astana
(21) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astana_(cycling_team)#Vinokourov_versus_Bruyneel
(22) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astana_(cycling_team)#Vinokourov_versus_Bruyneel
(23) http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/more/01/18/lance.armstrong/index.html?eref=sihp
(24) http://www.usatoday.com/sports/cycling/2011-04-26-lance-armstrong-michele-ferrari-investigation_N.htm
(25) 

Lance Armstrong Doping Controversy - High Testosterone Results in the Mid-1990's

This entry considers apparent high testosterone levels in the mid-1990's attributed to Lance Armstrong.

While Armstrong has claimed many times that he has never failed a drug test, the spectre of suspicious test results has been evident since 1999, when U.S. Cycling sent a request to the U.S. Olympic Analytical Laboratory while Armstrong was a member of Team U.S.A.

U.S. Cycling sought information regarding past tests results related to testosterone-epitestosterone levels ("T/E ratio"). Since the exogenous administration of testosterone does not affect levels of epitestosterone, testing of T/E ratios in urine are used to find athletes that are doping (1).

The normal T/E ratio is generally 1:1. Before 2005, a T/E ratio of 6:1 was considered abnormally high and an indication of doping. After 2005, the level was lowered to 4:1 (2).

U.S. Cycling sought past testing results for a rider identified only by drug-testing code numbers. However, Sports Illustrated reported in May 2011 that a source with knowledge of the request identified the cyclist was Armstrong. Tests results were provided for the years 1991 through to 1998, with the exception of 1997, the only year Armstrong did not compete due to his battle with cancer. In addition, Don Catlin, who operated the UCLA lab, also stated that five results from 1990, 1992 and 1993 could not be recovered (3).

Three tests stood out among the results provided: a 9.0:1 ratio in 1993, a 7.6:1 ratio in 1994 and a 6.5:1 ratio in 1996. According to SI, the lab was unable to confirm the results through further testing of two of the results; no mention is made of the third test result. Due to the inability to confirm the results, the tests were reported as negative (4).

When presented with the results, Catlin stated that one failed confirmation would be a 'once in a blue moon' occurrence. SI also presented the information to Andreas Breidbach, head of the UCLA lab's EPO department from 2003 through to 2006; he apparently expressed concern. He is reported to have said, "Wow, that should not happen. If you find a nine and can't confirm, there is something very wrong with your screening test" (5).

One very interesting actor in this debate is Catlin, who ran the UCLA lab. From 1990 to 2000, Armstrong was tested more than two dozen times by Catlin's lab.

When Armstrong returned to cycling in 2008, he announced that he  would set up his own testing program to prove he was clean. He hired Catlin to run the testing program. SI reported that, when Breidbach learned of Armstrong's testing program run by Catlin, he recalled thinking, "Oh, great, Armstrong is being tested by his greatest admirer, and to the outside world it looks convincing." Floyd Landis is reported to have made a similar statement: "When I saw them together, it didn't surprise me. [Lance] knows Catlin well" (6).

Even Armstrong has acknowledged a close relationship with Catlin. Apparently, when he was once asked to identify who was the most influential person in his world, Armstrong responded: "Catlin."

Armstrong's testing program run by Catlin never really got off the ground. Apparently, there were a few tests done prior to competition, but when Armstrong began racing, the testing program was shut down, ostensibly because the formal testing procedures would have been more rigorous in any event. The announcement of his own testing program smacks of a publicity stunt given the fact it never really materialized.

In an August 2009 interview on Heavy Muscle Radio, Catlin is reported to have stated that, if athletes only use testosterone to raise their levels to 4.0:1, the maximum allowable under the present rules, it is unlikely testers would conduct a Carbon Isotope Ratio test, the only test to determine if the testosterone was of endogenous or exogenous origin. Therefore, an athlete using exogenous testosterone to increase levels could still be confident that he would not be caught by a positive test (7).

Catlin has a reputation as a fervent anti-doper. He has strongly rejected the allegations that he swept positive tests linked to Armstrong under the carpet. It remains to be seen whether Catlin will be exonerated or, if Armstrong is found to have participated in doping, whether Catlin is just one of many who have come under the spell of Armstrong.

Notes:

(1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epitestosterone
(2)http://m.si.com/news/to/to/detail/3775061/2;jsessionid=74E91659CCB8BF5FC2AAA4C30EEBDECF.cnnsi1
(3) http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1180944/3/index.htm
(4) http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1180944/3/index.htm
(5) http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1180944/3/index.htm
(6) http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1180944/3/index.htm
(7) http://forums.rxmuscle.com/showthread.php?p=1444206

Lance Armstrong and Doping - Early Years at Motorola

Lance Armstrong was a rider for the Motorola team from 1992 to 1996. Today I will examine what information is available that suggests doping occurred on the Motorola team while Armstrong was a member.

The Early Years at Motorola

In the book, L.A. Confidentiel: Les Secrets de Lance Armstrong, Stephen Swart, a former teammate of Armstrong's on the Motorola team, made allegations linking Armstrong to doping. He is alleged to have stated that in the early part of 1995, senior riders at Motorola, including himself and Armstrong, made the decision to take EPO. The book was written in 2004 by David Walsh, a sports journalist with The Sunday Times (1).

Armstrong sued for defamation and sought to have a denial inserted into the book itself. The lawsuit against Walsh was apparently dropped in 2006, but Armstrong did win a settlement and an apology from The Sunday Times, whom he had sued for libel when excerpts of Walsh's book were reprinted in the newspaper (2).

In January 2008, Swart provided testimony in the libel lawsuit commenced by Armstrong. According to the New Zealand Herald, Swart testified that Armstrong took the blood-boosting drug Erythropoietin (EPO) in 1995 (3).

The New York Times reported that Swart admitted taking EPO himself in 1995 and testified that Armstrong told teammates 'there was only one road to take' to be competitive. Swart, in a sworn deposition, stated that Armstrong's message was clear: "We needed to start a medical program of EPO" (4).

The New York Times further reported Swart, in a telephone interview, stated that the use of EPO, cortisone and testosterone were widespread in the 1994 and 1995 Tours, when there was no testing for EPO (5).

In a January 2001 article Sports Illustrated reported that Swart identified Armstrong as the driving force behind the use of EPO on the Motorola team. "He was the instigator," Swart apparently told SI, "It was his words that pushed us toward doing it" (6).

Hematocrit levels identify the percentage of blood volume that is made up of red blood cells. Red blood cells are important since they carry oxygen to the muscles (7). Before 2001, when the Tour developed a test for EPO, any rider with a hematocrit level over 50 was subject to a 15-day ban (8).

According to Sports Illustrated, Swart recalled a time during the 1995 Tour de France when all of the Motorola team riders tested their hematocrit levels on a rest day. Swart's hematocrit level was 48; Swart recalled, "Lance was a 54 or 56" (9).

Frankie Andreu was a teammate of Armstrong on the Motorola team from 1992 to 1996; a teammate of Armstrong on the Cofidis team in 1997 and a teammate of Armstrong on the U.S. Postal Service team from 1998 to 2000. Andreu was a long-time friend of Armstrong's and rode as a domestique in support of Armstrong for many years (10).

Andreu has admitted taking EPO while a teammate of Armstrong at Motorola. The New York Times reported Andreu also felt he had to take EPO in order to make the team for the 1999 Tour de France (11).

Andreu is further reported to have stated that his introduction to performance-enhancing drugs came in 1995 when he was a rider for Motorola. Some of the Motorola riders felt they could no longer compete with European teams that were rumored to be using EPO, according to the New York Times article (12). This mirrors the testimony of Swart, both as to time and drug.

Andreu reportedly stated that top riders talked to Dr. Massimo Testa, the Motorola team doctor, about the safety of EPO. The New York Times reported Dr. Testa confirmed in a telephone interview that he provided literature regarding EPO to riders to educate them in case they decided to use EPO, but urged them not to use the drug.

Andreu is supported by an unnamed rider, who stated, "The environment was certainly one of, to be accepted, you had to use doping products. There was very high pressure to be one of the cool kids" (13).

In the New York TImes article, it is alleged Betsy Andreu, Frankie Andreu's wife, found a thermos containing EPO in their refrigerator. Her husband confided in her, telling her he had to take EPO to help Armstrong win. She also stated her husband told her he had allowed a team doctor to inject him with an unidentified substance (14).

In October 1996 Armstrong was diagnosed with testicular cancer which had spread to his brain and lungs. He had surgery soon after to remove tumors from his brain. During recovery at Indiana University Medical Center, he was joined by numerous friends, including Frankie and Betsy Andreu (15).

A company named SCA had a contract with Armstrong to pay a $2.5 million bonus to him if he won the 2004 Tour de France. When Armstrong won, SCA balked at paying the bonus after doping allegations came to light. Armstrong sued SCA for the bonus (16).

In 2005, Frankie and Betsy Andreu testified in that lawsuit. Betsy is reported to have testified under oath that two doctors came into Armstrong's room while they were visiting Armstrong at Indiana University Medical Center in 1996. Armstrong was asked if he had ever taken any performance-enhancing drugs. Betsy apparently testified that Armstrong said, "Growth hormone, cortisone, EPO, steroids and testosterone" (17).

Frankie Andreu's testimony was similar: "I don't know how the doctor phrased the question, but Lance's response was that he had taken EPO and testosterone and growth hormone and cortisone" (18).

Frankie Andreu also apparently testified at his deposition that he received a telephone call from Armstrong a few days prior to his testimony. Armstrong told him that the hospital incident did not occur or did not occur as he had recollected. Frankie Andreu found the call odd, since he had not spoken to Armstrong in over two and a half years (19).

Stephanie McIlvain was also present in the hospital room at Indiana University Medical Center that day. McIlvain was a representative for Oakley sunglasses, who had sponsored Armstrong for many years. When asked under oath at her deposition in 2005 if she had ever heard doctors ask or Armstrong discuss performance-enhancing drugs, she tersely responded, "No" (20).

Greg LeMond is alleged to have spoken to McIlvain at the 2004 Tour de France. It is reported LeMond recorded the conversation and, when McIlvain was asked about the hospital incident, she reportedly stated, "I was in that room. I heard it" (21).

Long-time cycling journalist and photographer James Startt reportedly corroborates LeMond's account. He also spoke to McIlvain at the 2004 Tour de France. In reference to the hospital incident, he has allegedly stated, "I asked her did it definitely happen. And she said, yes, it did" (22).

Armstrong was successful in his lawsuit against SCA, reportedly because the contract simply obliged SCA to pay Armstrong the bonus if he won. His victory likely cannot be considered as vindicating Armstrong of the doping allegations as it appears the issue of doping was not relevant to SCA's obligation to pay the bonus (23).

Armstrong has denied the incident at Indiana University Medical Center ever occurred. The alleged doctors who questioned Armstrong have never been identified. In a sworn affidavit, his primary doctor, Dr. Craig Nichols, denied he had any knowledge that would suggest Armstrong used performance-enhancing drugs (24).

Interestingly, it has been reported that, just two days after the Andreus' testimony, Armstrong made a $1.5 million donation to Dr. Nichols' department at Indiana University. When questioned about the timing of the donation, Armstrong remarked that donations such as this take months to arrange and stated the notion that he made the donation "to get an affidavit or to get some clean medical records or some sanitized records is completely ridiculous" (27).

Jim Ochowicz was the manager for Motorola at this time. His name was raised in relation to doping allegations by Floyd Landis in connection with the doping program at the Phonak cycling team after 2006. Ochowicz is the head of U.S. Cycling and Landis alleged Andy Rijs, the manager of Phonak, discussed Landis' request for funding for a doping program with Ochowicz prior to approving the program (25, 26). 

One other anecdote provides further support for the allegations of EPO use at Motorola in the 1990's. Gord Fraser was a teammate of Armstrong on the Motorola team from 1995 to 1996. In an interview with Paul Kimmage in February 2011, Floyd Landis stated that Fraser, a close friend of his, told him 'he didn't like needles,' implicating doping on the team as the reason he left Motorola (28).

Based on the above, it appears that not only was Armstrong possibly using EPO while at Motorola in the mid-1990's, he may have been the driving force behind its use. The implications for Armstrong are clear and provide a compelling backdrop to allegations of continued doping as alleged by others.

Notes:

(1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L._A._Confidentiel
(2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L._A._Confidentiel
(3) http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10365749
(4) http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/12/sports/othersports/12cycling.html?pagewanted=2
(5) http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/12/sports/othersports/12cycling.html?pagewanted=2
(6)http://m.si.com/news/to/to/detail/3775061/2;jsessionid=74E91659CCB8BF5FC2AAA4C30EEBDECF.cnnsi1
(7) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hematocrit
(8) http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/more/01/18/lance.armstrong/index.html
(9) http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/more/01/18/lance.armstrong/index.html
(10) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discovery_Channel_Pro_Cycling_Team; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankie_Andreu
(11) http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/12/sports/othersports/12cycling.html?pagewanted=2
(12) http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/12/sports/othersports/12cycling.html?pagewanted=2
(13) http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=226775
(14) http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/12/sports/othersports/12cycling.html?pagewanted=2
(15) http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5508863
(16) http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5508863

(17) http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5508863

(18) http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5508863

(19) http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5508863

(20) http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5508863

(21) http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5508863

(22) http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5508863

(23) http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5508863

(24) http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5508863
(25) http://www.nytimes.com/1996/05/13/sports/13iht-sam.t_3.html
(26) http://www.scribd.com/doc/31674835/Floyd-Landis-Letter-Of-Confession

(28) http://articles.latimes.com/2006/jun/24/sports/sp-armstrong24/3

(29) http://nyvelocity.com/content/interviews/2011/landiskimmage

Lance Armstrong and Doping - Where Does the Truth Lie?

The Lance Armstrong doping controversy has heated up again after revelations by Tyler Hamilton on the CBS show, "60 Minutes." Hamilton made allegations that Armstrong used doping products and performance-enhancing drugs while winning the Tour de France a record 7 consecutive times. Armstrong immediately denied the allegations.

Armstrong won seven consecutive Tours from 1999 to 2005. Since then, Armstrong has parlayed his fame to fight cancer through his Livestrong organization. His efforts to combat this disease are commendable. However, there is a dark shadow being cast over Armstrong which may seriously damage his reputation.

I have been interested in cycling and, in particular, the Tour de France, since 1980 when I watched TV broadcasts of the Tour while visiting Holland. I was captivated by the demands of the sport and the excitement each day brought as the Tour progressed. In 1988, while living in Holland for a period of time, I was able to follow the entire Tour on TV and radio. That year, Steve Bauer, a Canadian, performed very well and eventually placed fourth overall. Being Canadian, I followed Bauer's career and, in time, watched Greg LeMond become the first American winner of the Tour in 1986. LeMond went on the win the Tour three times, winning again in 1989 and 1990.

Then a new American rider - Armstrong - arrived on the scene. I followed his career and cheered him on through all 7 Tour victories. However, allegations of doping began and continue to taint the professional sport of cycling. Several allegations were directed Armstrong's way; each time, he denied ever doping. Often, he painted his accusers as liars without credibility. I began to wonder where the truth lay...

There is a lot of information in the public domain that can shed light on the issue as to whether Armstrong doped or not. The purpose of this blog is to try to connect the dots between the many bits and pieces of information to allow the public to come to a more informed opinion regarding the allegations against Armstrong. In particular, I intend to shed light on information which appears to be corroborated by two or more sources. I am not an investigative journalist seeking to uncover the facts; I am simply aiming to present the facts and/or allegations as reported in the mainstream media and which readily available to the general public.

Possible Armstrong Positive Test in 2001 Tour de Suisse

The first issue I will address is Armstrong's alleged 'suspicious' test in the 2001 Tour de Suisse, since this has recently been in the news.

In May 2010, Floyd Landis, winner of the 2006 Tour de France until he tested positive for testosterone, finally came clean and admitted doping. Despite having denied doping for several years and launching court proceedings and appeals, he admitted he had previously lied when he denied doping (1).

Landis was a teammate of Armstrong on the U.S. Postal Service team from 2002 to 2004 (2). He sent e-mails to several organizations involved in cycling and anti-doping. In his e-mails, Landis stated that Armstrong had told him he had tested positive for the blood-boosting drug Erythropoietin (EPO) while winning the 2001 Tour de Suisse (3).

Landis further alleged that Armstrong and Johan Bruyneel, Armstrong's long-time director sportif, had a clandestine meeting with the Swiss anti-doping lab director, Martial Saugy, during which a financial deal was made to 'make the positive test go away' (3). Allegedly, the meeting was arranged with some assistance of Hein Verbruggen, the president of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) from 1991 to 2005 (4). 

At the time Landis' allegations came forth, all persons implicated, including Armstrong, denied the allegations and stated no such meeting took place (5).


In May 2002, Armstrong made a $25,000 donation to UCI. In 2005, Armstrong made a further $100,000 donation to UCI, though according to UCI president Pat McQuaid, Armstrong had initially pledged the $100,000 donation in 2002 (6). 

Armstrong denied the donations in 2010 after Landis made his allegations, but swore a declaration in 2006 admitting to a donation of $25,000 "to fund the fight against doping" (7). Both donations were later confirmed by UCI president Pat McQuaid in 2010 (8).

As late as May 2011, Saugy denied he had met with Armstrong or Bruyneel as alleged. He reportedly acknowledged a meeting with Armstrong and Bruyneel in 2002, but claimed the subject of the meeting was a new type of testing procedure and not a positive test (9). 

In May 2011, Tyler Hamilton, Armstrong's teammate on the U.S. Postal Service team from 1998 to 2000, admitted to doping and made numerous allegations against Armstrong and others in a CBS "60 Minutes" interview. He also alleged Armstrong failed a test during the 2001 Tour de Suisse, providing some corroboration of Landis' allegations (10).

David Howman, head of the World Anti-Doping Agency, told CBS in 2011 that a meeting with an athlete or his entourage and the lab operators would have been highly unusual and inappropriate (11).

Associated Press reported on June 2, 2011 that Howman further confirmed "Saugy had talked to him about suspicious results from the 2001 Tour de Suisse and an ensuing meeting set up by UCI that included people Saugy "didn't anticipate" would be there (12).

AP's June 2011 article also reported that "the director of the Swiss anti-doping laboratory [referring to Saugy] informed federal authorities last fall that Lance Armstrong's test results from the 2001 Tour de Suisse were "suspicious" and "consistent with EPO use." The information was provided by an unidentified source with knowledge of the federal investigation (13).

Despite all the denials by the parties allegedly involved, two of Armstrong's former teammates have alleged a failed test in the 2001 Tour de Suisse and a pay-off to cover it up.

Saugy, perhaps faced with Howman's acknowledgement of his conversation with Saugy regarding the suspicious test results from the 2001 Tour de Suisse,  appears to have reversed course and admitted that a meeting was set up by UCI (implicating Verbruggen as the middleman). Further, it seems logical to assume that the people Saugy 'didn't anticipate" would be at the meeting were Bruyneel and Armstrong. This is consistent with Howman's view that riders and their entourages should not be meeting with a lab operator.

While Armstrong denied or 'forgot' about his donations to UCI, the payments were confirmed by McQuaid. Apparently, McQuaid also confirmed that no other rider had ever made a donation similar to Armstrong's. The fact the money was paid lends credence to the allegation that a pay-off was arranged.

Clearly, this story is still developing. Stay tuned for more developments...

Notes:

(1) http://nyvelocity.com/content/interviews/2011/landiskimmage
(2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discovery_Channel_Pro_Cycling_Team
(3) http://drunkcyclist.com/2010/05/20/the-landis-letters/
(4) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hein_Verbruggen
(5) http://velonews.competitor.com/files/2011/06/May-31-Letter-Final.pdf
(6) http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/mcquaid-reveals-armstrong-made-two-donations-to-the-uci
(7) http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1169979/2/index.htm
(8) http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/470592/mcquaid-confirms-armstrong-donated-100-000-to-uci.html
(9) http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/05/news/swiss-lab-director-says-2001-results-merely-suspicious-and-havent-been-linked-to-armstrong_176011
(10) http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2011/05/23/ex-teammate-says-lance-armstrong-promoted-doping/
(11) http://fraudbytes.blogspot.com/2011/06/lance-armstrong-investigation-60.html
(12) http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11152/1150771-139-0.stm?cmpid=sports.xml
(13) http://hosted2.ap.org/APDefault/*/Article_2011-06-01-Doping-Armstrong/id-8facca065f1d4a3c884b68e1ed827024