AUSTIN — An attorney for Lance Armstrong told the USADA the cyclist will cooperate with efforts to “clean up cycling,” though it's the sport's governing body and world anti-doping officials who should take the lead. In letters sent this week between attorneys for Armstrong and USADA, and obtained by the Associated Press, USADA attorney William Bock requested Armstrong testify under oath by Feb. 6, but the cyclist's attorney, Tim Herman, responds that Armstrong cannot accommodate that schedule. Herman's letter said Armstrong intends to appear before the International Cycling Union's planned “truth and reconciliation” commission. “As you have candidly confirmed, USADA has no authority to investigate, prosecute or otherwise involve itself with the other 95 percent of cycling competitors. Thus, in order to achieve the goal of ‘cleaning up cycling,' it must be WADA and the UCI who have overall authority to do so,” Herman wrote. The letter from US Anti-Doping Agency also confirms a Dec. 14 meeting in Denver between Bock, USADA chief Tygart, Herman and Armstrong. “Mr. Armstrong has already been provided well over a month since our meeting in December to consider whether he is going to be part of our ongoing efforts to clean up the sport of cycling,” Tygart said in a statement. “He has been given a deadline of February 6th to determine whether he plans to come in and be part of the solution. Either way, US Anti-Doping Agency is moving forward with our investigation on behalf of clean athletes.” — AP
