Drug testing's big story rolls on as Lance Armstrong faces further court action

Post By: Dawn Smillie

Shamed cyclist Lance Armstrong could be dragged before a Texas court over more than £7.5 million in prize money.

Drug testing's biggest story of recent times looks set to rumble on after it was revealed that Lance Armstrong could be set for a Texas court date as SCA Promotions attempts to claim back more than £7.5 million in prize money.

The cyclist was recently outed by teammates and has faced the wrath of the public and official bodies over the use of illegal doping techniques during what was once considered a stellar career.

Armstrong had been dogged by rumours of narcotics use throughout his career but repeatedly managed to avoid drug detection before finally admitting on TV that he had indeed used illegal doping products.

Now SCA Promotions is hoping to claw back prize money paid out to the man who won the Tour de France a record seven consecutive times during what appeared on the surface to be a glittering cycling career.

Armstrong's success had been made all the more sensational considering his remarkable recovery from life-threatening cancer - an experience which led him to launch the Livestrong Foundation aimed at helping cancer patients.

He has reportedly agreed to help the US Anti-Doping Agency clean up cycling and has been given a two-week extension to co-operate with investigators and admit to all his transgressions under oath.

SCA Promotions' lawyer Jeff Tillotson explained the firm is confident there will be no dispute that the former US Postal Service Cycling Team rider was dishonest in court.

"I don't think there's any dispute by Mr Armstrong or his lawyers that he lied under oath in our legal proceeding," he said.

"The only question is what should be the penalty and consequence of that."

Famous sportsmen who have suffered loss of reputation as a result of drug detection results include athletics star Dwain Chambers and footballer Adrian Mutu.