Shamed cyclist handed chance to fight life ban

Lance Armstrong will be given another opportunity to argue for a reduction in his life ban from competitive sport after UCI president Brian Cookson agreed to act as an intermediary.

The CIRC report into cycling highlights the inconsistency between Armstrong’s punishment and other convicted dopers, stressing that the American’s drug use was no different to other teams and riders of his era.

But the US anti-doping agency hit Armstrong with a life ban after publishing its reasoned decision in 2012 and the Texan stripped of his seven Tour de France titles has complained of unfair treatment ever since.

Cookson, while not exactly sympathetic towards Armstrong, recognised the inconsistency on Monday and said he would agree to act as a go-between in a bid to get Armstrong and USADA chief Travis Tygart around a table.

"I think it’s fair to say that Lance was given exceptional treatment," Cookson said on Monday at the UCI offices.

"But then again he was an exceptional offender who was exceptionally successful. So I don’t have a huge amount of sympathy for Lance Armstrong in that respect.

"You also have to achieve a balance in incentivising people to give evidence and punishing those who have committed offences. It’s a balancing act.

"But I understand Lance Armstrong’s position. I’m not convinced that we would be here talking about this issue if USADA hadn’t done what they did. In terms of moving this situation forward it was an essential process.

"But I understand that the (CIRC) commission would like UCI to facilitate a further discussion between Lance Armstrong and USADA. We would be happy to do that."

When he was asked whether he could envisage a reduction, Cookson said: "that’s very much up to Lance Armstrong and USADA. At the end of the day the rules are such that the body that issued the sanction has to be the body that agrees a reduction in that sanction.

"I have no desire to be ‘the president that let Lance Armstrong off the hook’ or anything like that. I’ll take my lead from the CIRC commission."

After the CIRC report,  Lance Armstrong released a statement revealing his gratitude for the commission who is 'seeking the truth and allowing him to assist in that search'.

"I am deeply sorry for many things I have done," the banned cyclist says in the statement.

"It s my hope that revealing the truth will lead to a bright, dope-free future for the sport I love, and will allow all young riders emerging from small towns throughout the world in years to come to chase their dreams without having to face the lose-lose choices that so many of my friends, teammates and opponents faced.

"I hope that all riders who competed and doped can feel free to come forward and help the tonic of truth heal this great sport," the statement reads.