LONDON (AP) — Cycling’s governing body warned Floyd Landis he could be sued for defamation weeks before he made allegations that it covered up a positive drug test by Lance Armstrong.
Former UCI president Hein Verbruggen told The Associated Press on Tuesday that a letter was sent to Landis two or three weeks before his allegations became public.
The American rider claimed in e-mails to cycling officials and sponsors that Armstrong tested positive for EPO at the Tour de Suisse in 2002 and paid off Verbruggen to conceal it. Armstrong won the 2001 Swiss race, but did not compete there in 2002.
Verbruggen says Landis notified the UCI in advance he was going to air the allegations. Verbruggen says the UCI then sent Landis a letter saying “we might sue you if you tell lies.”
