Governing body will reserve further comment until after Armstrong’s interview with Winfrey screens
While it has said that it wants to view Lance Armstrong’s interview with Oprah Winfrey prior to making a detailed comment on the matter, the UCI has said today that if the former rider does indeed admit to doping, that he should cooperate with the UCI Independent Commission on the subject.
“The UCI will not be making any further comments on matters concerning Lance Armstrong until it has had the opportunity to view his much publicised interview with Oprah Winfrey,” the governing body said in a statement issued today.
“The UCI notes the media speculation surrounding the interview and reports that he has finally come clean and admitted doping during his cycling career.
“If these reports are true, we would strongly urge Lance Armstrong to testify to the Independent Commission established to investigate the allegations made against the UCI in the recent USADA reasoned decision on Lance Armstrong and the United States Postal Service (USPS) team.”
According to the New York Times, Armstrong is reportedly read to testify against UCI officials.
Former president Hein Verbruggen has previously been accused of taking bribes and helping Armstrong cover up positive tests, something the Dutchman has insisted is not true.
The UCI Independent Commission was established in the wake of USADA’s reasoned decision into doping by Armstrong and his former teams. The governing body said that it would look into claims made against the UCI, including that it helped to protect Armstrong.
The three-panel commission comprises former Court of Appeal judge Sir Philip Otton, who is chair, UK House of Lords Peer and Paralympic Champion Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson and the Australian lawyer Malcolm Holmes QC.
The trio are meeting today in London to discuss a range of topics, including a push by WADA, USADA and the Change Cycling Now pressure group to have the terms of references broadened.
The Independent Commission has extended its deadline for witnesses to come forward, and told VeloNation in recent days that it welcomes submissions from anyone with information.