| 07/09/2001 | Lance Armstrong's Statement on Clean RacingLance Armstrong, two-time Tour de France champion, said in a written statement, "I have always been very clear on the necessity for cycling to be a clean sport. And, I have firmly stated that anyone, including me, who tests positive for banned substances, should be severely punished."
Armstrong's statement also defined the nature of his relationship with physician Michele Ferrari. Armstrong said that he is focused on "working on a run at the hour record," and his consultations with Ferrari involve "dieting, altitude preparation, hypoxic training and the use of altitude tents, which are all natural methods of improvements."
Armstrong acknowledged that Ferrari made "irresponsible" statements in the past regarding performance-enhancing drug EPO, but firmly stated that the two have not discussed the subject and that "I have never used it."
STATEMENT OF LANCE ARMSTRONG, U.S. POSTAL SERVICE PRO CYCLING TEAM
For many years now, dating back to 1990, Chris Carmichael has been my coach and most important technical and training advisor. Others who work with Chris include Johan Bruyneel, my director sportif, John Cobb, in charge of aerodynamics, Dr. Luis del Moral, our team physician and Jeff Spencer my chiropractor.
Also included are my close friends, former Belgian champion Eddy Merckx and former Motorola team director Jim Ochowitz.
Chris and I met Michele Ferrari during a training camp in San Diego, California, in 1995. His primary role has always been limited. Since Chris cannot be in Europe on an ongoing basis, Michele does my physiological testing and provides Chris with that data on a regular basis. Chris has grown to trust Michele's opinion regarding my testing and my form on the bike. And lately, we have been specifically working on a run at the hour record. I do not know exactly when I will do that, only that I will in the near future.
He has also consulted with Chris and me on dieting, altitude preparation, hypoxic training and the use of altitude tents, which are all natural methods of improvements.
In the past, I have never denied my relationship with Michele Ferrari. On the other hand, I have never gone out of my way to publicize it. The reason for that is that he has had a questionable public reputation due to the irresponsible comments he made in 1994 regarding EPO.
I want to make it clear that I do not associate myself with those remarks or, for that matter, with anyone who utilizes unethical sporting procedures. However, in my personal experience I have never had occasion to question the ethics or standard of care of Michele. Specifically, he has never discussed EPO with me and I have never used it.
I have always been very clear on the necessity of cycling to be a clean sport and I have firmly stated that anyone, including me, who tests positive for banned substances should be severely punished.
As everyone knows, I am one of the very few riders who have no prescriptions in my health book. I have been repeatedly tested during my career including during the entire 1999 and 2000 Tours de France and most recently during the Tour de Suisse ten days ago. www.uspsprocycling.com
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