Cycling union denies covering up positive Armstrong drug tests

Tue., May 24, 2011

GENEVA – The International Cycling Union “categorically rejects” Tyler Hamilton’s allegations that it helped cover up a positive drug test by Lance Armstrong at the 2001 Tour de Suisse.

The UCI insisted Monday that it had “never altered or hidden the results of a positive test,” and that seven-time Tour de France winner Armstrong had never been notified of a positive finding.

“The UCI is deeply shocked by the seriousness of the allegations made on the ‘60 Minutes’ program aired by U.S. television network CBS,” the body said in a statement. “The allegations of Mr. Tyler Hamilton are completely unfounded.”

Hamilton said in an interview that aired Sunday that his former teammate Armstrong used the blood-boosting hormone EPO to prepare for his third Tour win in 2001.

Armstrong told him the UCI helped cover up a positive test at the Swiss warm-up event, Hamilton alleged.

Associated Press

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Cycling union denies covering up positive Armstrong drug tests

Jesse Tinsley

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