Disgraced US cyclist Lance Armstrong last night apologised to the staff at his Livestrong foundation before heading to an interview in a Texan hotel with Oprah Winfrey.

Six days after the Union Cycliste International (UCI) suspended their defamation case against author and journalist Paul Kimmage, the Irishman launched a counter-case of his own last night against UCI president Pat McQuaid and former UCI president Hein Verbruggen, accusing the pair of slander/defamation, denigration and “strong suspicions of fraud”.

Irish journalist Paul Kimmage has lodged a criminal complaint against International Cycling Union president Pat McQuaid and honorary president Hein Verbruggen in a move which will subject the leadership of the world governing body to further scrutiny.

Lance Armstrong’s former team-mate Tyler Hamilton has responded to UCI president Pat McQuaid’s assertion that he and Floyd Landis were “scumbags” by saying that the Irishman has no place in cycling.

RTÉ presenter Pat Kenny (PK) spoke with Pat McQuaid (PM) yesterday over his handling of the Lance Armstrong affair and his role as head of the governing body.

Tyler Hamilton has called on Pat McQuaid to step down as president of the International Cycling Union.

UCI president Pat McQuaid and his predecessor Hein Vergrubben didn’t get to where they are by talking first and thinking second...at least you’d hope not anyway.

The two Irish journalists who led the investigations that ultimately led to Lance Armstrong’s exposure as a drug cheat have reacted with scepticism to yesterday’s press conference by UCI president, Pat McQuaid.

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.

Lance Armstrong was a “serial cheat” who led “the most sophisticated, professionalised and successful doping programme that sport has ever seen”, United States Anti-Doping Agency said today.

In 2006 the young English cyclist Bradley Wiggins was celebrating after completing a particularly gruelling Tour de France.

Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong faces being stripped of his titles and banned from cycling for life after announcing he will not contest charges levelled by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).

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.

British rider David Millar believes the federal investigation into drug use in professional cycling offers Lance Armstrong the opportunity to achieve “closure” on the claims which have dogged him.

Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong has made furious attacks on former team-mates, the broadcaster CBS and a federal investigator after the latest drug claims against him.

Seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong has denied claims by former team-mate Tyler Hamilton that they took performance-enhancing drugs together.

Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong has announced his retirement from cycling for the second time.

Floyd Landis has announced his retirement from cycling after failing to find a new team.

Disgraced cyclist Floyd Landis will ride in New Zealand’s Tour of Southland for the second time next month.

Lance Armstrong: The World’s Greatest Champion

Seven-time champion Lance Armstrong insists "I sleep like a baby" after denying the ongoing investigation into doping allegations levelled at him by Floyd Landis was behind his poor Tour de France display.

TOUR DE FRANCE leader Andy Schleck believes he fared better in the latest battle with nearest rival Alberto Contador yesterday as the race entered the Pyrenees.

The investigation into allegations made by disgraced cyclist Floyd Landis is "significant" and of "great importance" but could take years, the World Anti-Doping Agency have said.

Seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong has again strenuously denied the latest doping allegations levelled against him by Floyd Landis, in a statement issued on his personal website.

PLEASE mind your toes, reader; there’s quite a big name about to be dropped in a second or two.

LANCE ARMSTRONG’S cycling Team RadioShack last night claimed Floyd Landis had threatened Armstrong in text messages before making his allegations against the seven-time Tour de France winner.

Lance Armstrong’s Team RadioShack tonight hit back at Floyd Landis and claimed the disgraced American rider has been threatening to make what they insist are “false accusations” of doping against Armstrong for over two years.

The world of cycling is once again facing up to a storm over performance-enhancing drugs after Lance Armstrong and the International Cycling Union slammed Floyd Landis for accusations made by the disgraced rider.

LANCE ARMSTRONG yesterday insisted he has “nothing to hide” as he dismissed accusations made by disgraced American rider Floyd Landis.

The International Cycling Union has hit out at Floyd Landis for his incendiary comments about doping in the sport.

Disgraced cyclist Floyd Landis has admitted doping for much of his professional road-racing career.

Chris Boardman is "virtually certain" this summer's Tour de France will be the cleanest in history.

Disgraced cyclist Floyd Landis has parted company with the OUCH-Maxxis Professional team with immediate effect and is targeting a return to European competition.

Floyd Landis should know if his appeal against disqualification from the 2006 Tour de France and a two-year ban has been successful by early next year.

Spain’s Oscar Pereiro admitted to mixed feelings after being named as winner of the 2006 Tour de France.

IT WAS not exactly the revolution which the Tour de France requires.

Ask Mark Cavendish what sort of punishment is appropriate to cycling’s drugs cheats and he has no doubts – “prison”, says the young Manxman.

Alexandre Vinokourov has protested his innocence over claims he received a blood transfusion, although he will not attempt to regain his place in the Tour de France.

Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme has expressed his disappointment over the latest scandal to affect the tour, after Team Astana withdrew following Alexandre Vinokourov’s positive test for a banned blood transfusion.

Team Astana have withdrawn from the Tour de France after Alexandre Vinokourov tested positive for a banned blood transfusion.

Michael Rasmussen today expressed his regret that yet another Tour de France has been tarnished by a doping scandal.

If there was any doubt cycling could not be further shamed by Floyd Landis’s doping case it was wiped away when Greg LeMond claimed he had been threatened with revelations of sexual abuse by a representative of the 2006 Tour de France winner.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport’s decision to clear Inigo Landaluze of doping because of testing errors has handed Tour de France winner Floyd Landis hope of clearing his name.

Floyd Landis does not blame those who believe he is a drugs cheat but has pleaded to be given “a fair trial”.