Armstrong doping probe closed

A criminal probe of Lance Armstrong and his former US Postal team was closed last night, without the seven-time Tour de France winner being charged over allegations he used performance-enhancing drugs.

The decision, announced by United States Attorney Andre Birotte Jr, ends a nearly two-year effort aimed at examining whether a doping programme was created to aid the efforts of Armstrong and his teammates.

Armstrong has repeatedly denied he doped during his unparalleled career, but the possibility of criminal charges threatened to stain his legacy as the world’s greatest cyclist.

United States Attorney Andre Birotte Jr announced that his office “is closing an investigation into allegations of federal criminal conduct by members and associates of a professional bicycle racing team owned in part by Lance Armstrong.”

He didn’t disclose the reason for the decision.

“This is great news,” Armstrong attorney Mark Fabiani said in a statement.

“Lance is pleased that the United States Attorney made the right decision, and he is more determined than ever to devote his time and energy to Livestrong and to the causes that have defined his career.”

The Los Angeles-based investigation began with a separate investigation of Rock Racing, a cycling team owned by fashion entrepreneur Michael Ball.

Investigators looked at whether a doping programme was established for Armstrong’s team while, at least part of the time, they received government sponsorship from the US Postal Service. They also examined whether Armstrong encouraged or facilitated doping on the team.

Armstrong won the Tour de France every year from 1999 to 2005.

The investigation began after federal agent Jeff Novitzky was told about a cache of PEDs found by a landlord in the vacated apartment of Kyle Leogrande, a cyclist who rode for Rock Racing and had a doping ban, according to several people familiar with the case.

The investigation also was spurred by disgraced cyclist Floyd Landis, who claims Armstrong had a long-running doping system in place while they were teammates.

Landis, who was stripped of the 2006 Tour de France title for drug use, acknowledged in 2010 he used performance-enhancing drugs after years of denying he cheated.

One of the most serious accusations came during a 60 Minutes interview last May when former teammate Tyler Hamilton said he saw Armstrong use EPO during the 1999 Tour de France and in preparation for the 2000 and 2001 tours.