Armstrong’s USADA bid thrown out

Lance Armstrong’s legal action against the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has been dismissed in court.

The seven-time Tour de France winner, who was charged by USADA in June with using performance-enhancing drugs, filed a lawsuit in a US federal court asking for a temporary restraining order against the agency.

Armstrong had been issued with doping charges by USADA but then counter-claimed that the agency had offered “corrupt inducements” to other cyclists to testify against him.

However, the decision taken yesterday in a Texas court means Armstrong will now have to face those charges and the prospect of losing his record-breaking total of seven Tour titles.

The 40-year-old has always denied claims he had used performance-enhancing drugs during his career, but USADA chief executive Travis T Tygart believes Armstrong should face the same proceedings as any other athlete charged with doping offences.

Five others – three team doctors and two officials – associated with the United States Postal Service cycling team are also the subject of legal proceedings from USADA.