Lance Armstrong insists he has nothing to hide in the wake of Floyd Landis's allegations that he used performance-enhancing drugs.
Seven-times Tour winner insists Landis has no "credibility"
Lance Armstrong has insisted he has nothing to hide in the wake of allegations made by Floyd Landis that he used performance-enhancing drugs.
Landis, who was stripped of the 2006 Tour de France title after testing positive for synthetic testosterone,
has admitted to drug offences having previously fought an unsuccessful legal battle to clear his name.
The 34-year-old came clean after sending a series of emails to cycling and anti-doping officials detailing the offences, which he says began in 2002.
However Landis, who served a two-year ban following his failed test, also implicated a number of riders and officials in his emails, including seven-times Tour de France winner Armstrong.
Deal
Speaking on Thursday ahead of the fifth stage of the Tour of California, Armstrong, who embarked on a comeback last year, dismissed Landis's claims.
"I have nothing to hide," the 38-year-old said at a press conference. "I think history speaks for itself here."
Sounding unconcerned at the allegations, Armstrong added: "It's our word against his word. I like our word. We like our credibility.
"Floyd lost his credibility a long time ago."
Landis has alleged that Armstrong struck a deal with authorities to conceal a positive test during the 2002 Tour of Switzerland - an event world cycling's governing body later said Armstrong did not even take part in.
"The International Cycling Union (UCI) categorically rejects accusations made by Mr Floyd Landis, in particular the allegation that a positive doping result by Lance Armstrong during the 2002 Tour of Switzerland was concealed after an agreement was reached between the American rider, his directeur sportif [sporting director] Mr Johan Bruyneel and the former UCI president, Mr Hein Verbruggen," a statement from the UCI said.
"Deeply shocked by the gravity of this statement, which considerably impinges on the honour of all persons who have dedicated themselves to the fight against doping, the UCI wishes to clearly state that it has never changed or concealed a positive test result.
Honour
"The accusation by Mr Floyd Landis, guilty himself of a breach of the anti-doping rules in 2006, is thus completely unfounded and the UCI can only express its outrage at this new attempt to harm the image of cycling.
"Our sport has long paid a heavy price for the fraudulent behaviour of individuals such as Floyd Landis and we cannot accept the principles governing our work being challenged in terms of their ethics and honesty by a person who has not hesitated to breach such principles.
"By way of information, the UCI would like to point out that Lance Armstrong did not participate in the 2002 Tour of Switzerland.
"Finally, the UCI wishes to make clear that it will undertake all necessary measures to defend its honour as well as the honour of all its executives who have been unfairly accused by Mr Floyd Landis."
