UCI warned Floyd Landis he could be sued before Armstrong allegations
Cycling's governing body warned Floyd Landis he could be sued for defamation weeks before he made allegations that it had covered up a positive drug test by Lance Armstrong.
Hein Verbruggen, a former president of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), said today that a letter was sent to Landis two or three weeks before his allegations became public.
The American rider claimed in emails to cycling officials and sponsors that Armstrong tested positive for the blood-doping agent erythropoietin at the Tour de Suisse in 2002. Armstrong won the 2001 Swiss race, but did not compete there in 2002.
Verbruggen said Landis notified the UCI in advance that he was going to air the allegations. Verbruggen said the UCI then sent Landis a letter saying: "We might sue you if you tell lies."