Lance Armstrong survives the doping charges as the inquiry ends in his favour
Almost a two-year long doping investigation related to the American cyclist Lance Armstrong has concluded, Associated Press reported. The cyclist is free from the charges and the investigation has been closed, as briefed by Andre Birotte Jr.
Andre was representing the United States and he disclosed in a press release that his office "is closing an investigation into allegations of federal criminal conduct by members and associates of a professional bicycle racing team owned in part by Lance
Armstrong".
The mentioned team is the US Postal Service team sponsored independently by the US federal government from 1996 to 2004. The cyclist represented the team for a period of eight years, from 1998-2005.
Armstrong’s five out of seven overall wins at the Tour de France came through the US Postal Service team.
The American side was accused of systematic doping after the former cyclist Floyd Landis pointed a finger at the team back in 2010.
The 40-year-old started riding professionally with Team Motorola in 1992 and stayed with the team for a period of five years.
He also represented Team Cofidis (1997), Team US Postal (1998-2005) and Team Livestrong (2005-2008).
He continued the professional pursuit with Team Astana in 2009 and also represented Team RadioShack through 2010-11 before joining Team Livestrong for the 2012 season.
Lance is considered as an icon in the professional cycling considering his impressive records.
He won the French Grand Tours for as many as seven times and that too for the successive years through, 1999-2005, including 22 individual stages to his credit.
The cyclist had been accused of doping on numerous occasions as a number of high-profile riders and journalists alleged that he cheated.
However, none of the allegations were ever proved and Armstrong continued to dominate the sport with his tremendous skills.
Mark Fabiani, the spokesman for Lance mentioned stated after the statement, "This is great news. Lance is pleased that the United States Attorney made the right decision”.
He continued, “He is more determined than ever to devote his time and energy to Livestrong and to the causes that have defined his career".
Armstrong has not commented on the decision yet but it is certain that the cyclist will definitely be delighted about the final verdict.
The federal case has now concluded but the sporting case against US Postal and the cyclist is still underway.
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