Cycling:Lance Armstrong has launched an attack on the leadership of the UCI under president Pat McQuaid, saying they should have no part in a truth and reconciliation commission into doping in the sport.
In his first interview since his two-part public confession with Oprah Winfrey, Armstrong claims McQuaid had no interest in the idea when he recommended it to him.
Answering email questions put to him by the cyclingnews.com website and asked why the Word rather that United States anti-doping association should run the truth and reconciliation process, Armstrong said: “No brainer. This is a global sport not an American one. One thing I’d add the UCI has no place at the table.
“When I was on speaking terms with ol’ Pat McQuaid many, many months ago I said, ‘Pat, you better think bold here. A full-blown, global, TRC is our sport’s best solution.‘ He wanted to hear nothing of it.”
The Texan did not hide his disdain for McQuaid when asked his thoughts on when the Irishman announced last October that Armstrong had no place in cycling.
He said: “Pat is just in constant CYA (cover your ass) mode. Pathetic.”
Armstrong told Winfrey he would be willing to partake in such an inquiry.
In the interview with cyclingnews.com, Armstrong said: “It’s not the best way, it’s the only way. As much as I’m the eye of the storm this is not about one man, one team, one director.
“I’d say that if you are alive today and you podiumed in a WC (World Championships) or Grand Tour then you should be called.
“Sounds ambitious but the authorities have proven that nothing with regards to cycling is time barred.”
An amnesty is necessary, Armstrong says, because “otherwise no-one will show up. No-one.”
Armstrong painted a bleak picture when asked the alternative to a TRC.
He said: “This current state of chaos and petty bullshit, tit for tat, etc, will just insure (sic) that cycling goes flat or negative for a decade plus.”
Armstrong was asked by cyclingnews.com: “Do you feel like you’re the fall guy for an entire sport/system?”
His response pointed the finger at numerous generations before him in a statement which could provoke the wrath of the sport’s legends and leave him open to legal action.
He said: “Actually, yes I do. But I understand why. We all make the beds we sleep in.
“My generation was no different than any other. The ‘help’ has evolved over the years but the fact remains that our sport is damn hard, the Tour was invented as a stunt, and very tough mother f****** have competed for a century and all looked for advantages. From hopping on trains a 100 years ago to EPO now.
“No generation was exempt or clean.”