• Cycling

Armstrong ready to come clean

Lance Armstrong was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles © PA Photos

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Lance Armstrong appears to be ready to come clean about how he managed to engineer the most sophisticated doping programme professional sport has ever seen.

The disgraced cyclist, who was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles after a United States Anti-Doping Agency inquest into his use of performance-enhancing drugs, expressed his willingness to work with the UCI's truth and reconciliation commission which has been set up by new president Brian Cookson.

In an interview with Cycling News, Armstrong said: "If that interview [with the commission] comes, I'll be happy to talk about that or I'll tell that story myself."

According to the Telegraph, Armstrong is prepared to inform Cookson how widespread the culture of doping became in the sport while he was competing, and expose attempted cover-ups by those in charge, potentially including Cookson's predecessor Pat McQuaid.

The 42-year-old is reportedly seeking assurances from Cookson that the UCI will not instigate a witch-hunt aimed at individuals, but instead be all-encompassing. Armstrong, who was handed a life ban from all competitive sport by USADA, wants Cookson to provide incentives for witnesses to come forward and sanctions for those who do not.

Cookson has indicated he would help Armstrong reduce his ban in return for his co-operation, though would need the permission of USADA.

Armstrong is still fighting several legal battles, including one with the US federal government, resulting from his admission to doping in an interview with Oprah Winfrey last year.

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