CYCLING: Johan Bruyneel, Lance Armstrong’s long-time team director, has been banned for 10 years by the American Arbitration Association.

Johan Bruyneel, Lance Armstrong’s long-time team director, has been banned for 10 years by the American Arbitration Association.

The head of a drug-testing laboratory in Switzerland has denied giving banned cyclist Lance Armstrong “the key” to avoiding detection for the blood-boosting agent EPO.

Stephen Roche has cautioned against finding people “guilty through association” in the wake of the United States Anti-doping Agency’s scathing reporting into Lance Armstrong.

The International Cycling Union’s honorary president Hein Verbruggen has dismissed an article in which he appears to defend Lance Armstrong as “misleading”.

Fresh questions last night emerged over the “triangle” involving disgraced Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, a payment by him to the International Cycling Union (UCI), and a drug- testing laboratory.

A former aide of Lance Armstrong has alleged she was used as a “drug runner” during her time working for the US Postal team.

UCI president Pat McQuaid has said the governing body have received USADA’s reasoned decision document and will make it a “priority” to respond within 21 days.

Frank Schleck was last night in a Pau police station after leaving the Tour de France following a positive drugs test, his RadioShack- Nissan-Trek team confirmed.

Astana have confirmed Lance Armstrong will be part of their nine-man team that will enter year’s Tour de France.

The future of Lance Armstrong’s Astana team is in doubt as the global recession continues to bite.

SEAN KELLY predicted yesterday that Lance Armstrong will be back in plenty of time for his bid to extend his Tour de France victories come high summer and Tour of Ireland Project Director, Darach McQuaid, said the mishap will not affect Armstrong’s participation in the Irish showpiece in August.

LANCE ARMSTRONG vowed last night to swap his designer suit for racing lycra and get on his bike in a global campaign to raise awareness of cancer treatment and prevention.

Reports that seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong will return to cycling have been met with bemusement by the team with which he is said to be making his comeback.

THE US Postal team are confident they will deliver a gift-wrapped fifth victory for their leader Lance Armstrong in the centenary-year running of the Tour de France which gets underway today.