Top Story Replay -- Verbruggen Denies Latest Armstrong Accusations

(ATR) Former international cycling federation chief Hein Verbruggen tells Around the Rings that Lance Armstrong's new accusations he helped cover up a failed drugs test are nonsense.

The Dutchman, who ran the UCI from 1991 to 2005, was reacting to revelations in the Daily Mail on Monday in which the disgraced American claims Verbruggen told him to "come up with something" to cover up his test for corticosteroids during the 1999 Tour de France because it would be "the knockout punch for our sport, the year after Festina".

Armstrong’s US Postal medical staff responded by providing a backdated prescription for a saddle sore cream.

Verbruggen issued a denial by text to ATR, saying the alleged cover up was not possible.

"Since when do you believe LA. Since he told Oprah that there was never a cover-up by the UCI???," Verbruggen texted.

"Also, he tested positive and this case was not even handled by the UCI. Till 2006 doping control in France was handled by the French ministry. They decided that it was not a positive test that could be sanctioned since they accepted LA explanation that he used an ointment."

He added: "And oh, didn’t these papers write a year ago that LA was my closest friend."

It's the latest in a string of denials by Verbruggen dismissing allegations that the UCI protected Armstrong.

Armstrong and Verbruggen are expected to be called to testify to an independent commission being set up by new UCI president Brian Cookson. Cookson’s predecessor Pat McQuaid will also be asked to provide input into the inquiry.

Verbruggen told ATR he was not worried that a UCI investigation into the sport’s doping past would reveal his complicity with Armstrong.

Armstrong’s links with Verbruggen have come under intense scrutiny following the American’s revelations on the Oprah Winfrey show earlier this year. Both Verbruggen and McQuaid have maintained that Armstrong did not receive favourable treatment during his racing years, despite admitting the UCI accepted two donations from him.

"I am very confident," the Dutchman told ATR, when asked if he thought Cookson’s probe would clear him of allegations that he and McQuaid were involved in cover-ups.

An honorary IOC member, the 72-year-old has been honorary president of the UCI since 2005.

Last week, Cookson told ATR on the sidelines of WADA’s World Conference on Doping and Sport that he hoped the investigation would deliver results to help cycling move on.

"I don’t think we’re going to right all our wrongs in the past. I think we can achieve some degree of closure. I want to learn lessons for our sports so we don’t repeat mistakes," he said.

After meeting with new IOC president Thomas Bach, the UCI president said he was encouraged by the support he received for his federation’s quest to clean up the sport.

The UCI issued a statement on Monday saying its Independent Commission of Inquiry was being set up and advanced discussions were taking place with stakeholders on its terms of reference "to allow full investigation of any allegations relating to doping and wrongdoing at the UCI".

"The commission will invite individuals to provide evidence and we would urge all those involved to come forward and help the commission in its work in the best interests of the sport of cycling," the statement added.

Reported by Mark Bisson

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