Armstrong claimed that the witnesses who form the basis for the USADA case were the same ones who spoke to Federal investigators during a two-year probe which eventually ended without any criminal charges being brought.

As a result of the USADA investigation, the 40-year-old Armstrong has been banned from competing in triathlons, which he had returned to take part in as a recreational athlete. 

In February, the US Justice Department dropped an investigation centered on whether Armstrong and his teammates cheated the sponsor of their bike racing team with a secret doping programme.

"I have been notified that USADA, an organisation largely funded by taxpayer dollars but governed only by self-written rules, intends to again dredge up discredited allegations dating back more than 16 years to prevent me from competing as a triathlete and try and strip me of the seven Tour de France victories I earned," Armstrong said in a statement.

USADA's letter alleges that Armstrong and five former cycling team associates engaged in a doping conspiracy from 1998 until 2011.

Armstrong won a record seven consecutive Tour de France titles between 1999 and 2005 after having survived testicular cancer.


The letter specifically alleges that Armstrong used Erythropoietin (EPO), blood transfusions, testosterone, corticosteroids and masking agents and that he distributed and administered drugs to others.

"These charges are baseless, motivated by spite and advanced through testimony bought and paid for by promises of anonymity and immunity," said Armstrong.

"Although USADA alleges a wide-ranging conspiracy extended over more than 16 years, I am the only athlete it has chosen to charge.

"I have never doped, and, unlike many of my accusers, I have competed as an endurance athlete for 25 years with no spike in performance, passed more than 500 drug tests and never failed one.

"That USADA ignores this fundamental distinction and charges me instead of the admitted dopers says far more about USADA, its lack of fairness and this vendetta than it does about my guilt or innocence."

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