Today is going to be a very important day for Lance Armstrong: he is taking his case before a federal judge to see if he can't stop charges by U.S. anti-doping officials.
He's being accused of using steroids and blood boosters to win the Tour de France from 1999 to 2005 — and being the mastermind behind a complex doping scheme on his teams.
We don't really buy it. If it's true, one of the biggest heroes of cycling will have all been a lie.
Plus, if he's guilty, he'll be stripped of his titles and banned from the sport forever.
All these accusations have of course made Lance take up arms, and argue the USADA's investigation and arbitration process are unfair and violate his constitutional right to due process — and claims the International Cycling Union, the sport's governing body, should have jurisdiction and the union has come to his defense.
If the judge throws out his lawsuit, he can appeal to the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court.
Or, you know, take his case to arbitration under USADA rules or quit the fight and accept sanctions.
The judge won't be ruling on the evidence, just what the due process should be.
We'll be finding out what happens shortly!
[Image via Ramey Pix.]
Tags: ban, banned, blood, body, claims, cycling, fight, france, judge, lance armstrong, lawsuit, national, new orleans, ripped, sad, sport, steroids, team, tour
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