The case, originally brought by Armstrong's former teammate Floyd Landis in 2010, claims the disgraced cyclist violated his sponsorship contract with the US Postal Service squad when he cheated in races by doping.

The Government is claiming the exact amount of damages since June 10, 2000 is $32,321,821.94 (£19,226,603/€23,685,915), but it will seek to triple this figure under the False Claims Act.

Despite his attorneys calling for a judge to cancel the scheduled depositions because they had not yet received discovery evidence, Armstrong and four potential witnesses - his friend John Korioth, his publicist Mark Higgins, former Oakley employee Stephanie McIlvain and cycling coach Chris Carmichael - are now being called to testify before the end of the month.

The lawsuit was opened by Floyd Landis in 2010 before the US Federal Government joined last year ©Getty Images


Armstrong is scheduled to testify under oath on June 23 in Austin, Texas, and if his sworn testimony is later proven false or if it goes against earlier statements made he could face criminal charges, including perjury.

The Government, criticised for dropping a criminal investigation of Armstrong in 2013, joined Landis' lawsuit when Armstrong confessed last year to doping through his seven Tour de France victories between 1998 and 2005.

Landis, who was himself stripped of the 2006 Tour de France title for doping, will be entitled to up to 25 per cent of any money recovered in the case.

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