Lance Armstrong may be set to assist in new International Cycling Union (UCI) president Brian Cookson’s independent doping investigation, the BBC reports. The disgraced former seven-time Tour de France winner was banned from the sport for life after an investigation by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) uncovered what it called “the most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program that sport has ever seen,” but there may still be a way back for the American if he co-operates with the authorities.
At 42 years of age it would be incredibly unlikely that Armstrong would be able to rejoin the professional peloton, but he is also banned from any other involvement in the sport. Crucially, co-operation with the authorities could see him allowed to compete in triathlon again, which is what he was intending to do as the USADA verdict was handed down in October of last year.
Details are very thin as to exactly what Armstrong’s intentions may be in the matter, since he has received no guarantees from the UCI that it might shorten his ban. The BBC does report, however, that “representatives of the disgraced cyclist have been contacted to gauge his willingness to speak to an inquiry.”
During his televised confession with chat show host Oprah Winfrey in January, the American declared that he would be “first man through the door” of any truth and reconciliation commission into cycling’s doping culture. Since then, however, little has been heard from the former rider as he battles a number of law suits that seek to reclaim money that he made during his career.
On June 20th, shortly after Cookson announced his intention to run for the UCI presidency, Armstrong used his Twitter account - which is far less active since the USADA decision - to challenge the Englishman to properly investigate, however.
“Question for @cooksonforuci - any plans to convene a Truth and Rec Commission to FULLY understand the mistakes of previous generations?” Armstrong wrote.
While on September 27th, the day that Cookson defeated incumbent Pat McQuaid in the sometimes farcical election at the UCI Congress in Florence, Italy, Armstrong tweeted the single word: “Hallelujah.”
Should Armstrong wish to divulge more than was admitted during his somewhat limited confession to Oprah he could unlock many of the secrets of the sport, including those related to the alleged involvement of the UCI in disguising his years of doping. How much it could do to rebuild Armstrong’s standing in the eyes of those that previously supported him remains to be seen.