Expert to investigate Armstrong drug claims

CYCLING’S world ruling body has appointed an independent expert to investigate damaging allegations of doping against seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong.

Armstrong is now retired but has been fighting off the allegations since respected French sports daily L'Equipe published damning evidence from drug tests taken during the 1999 Tour de France.

It claimed the 34-year-old American icon tested positive six times during that year's race allegations which Armstrong has vehemently denied but which could be proved or disproved by DNA testing.