Share

Lance's best TDF finish - 36th

Geneva - Lance Armstrong's best finish on the Tour de France will now go down as 36th place after he was stripped of all results since 1998 following a "landmark" decision by world cycling chiefs on Monday.

The International Cycling Union (UCI) backed a US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) decision to erase the rider's entire career after August 1998, as president Pat McQuaid called the scandal "the biggest crisis" the sport had ever faced.

In a statement confirming its intention to "recognise and implement the reasoned decision of USADA", the UCI said Armstrong would strip Armstrong of virtually every result he had achieved.

"The UCI will disqualify all competitive results achieved by Mr Armstrong from August 1, 1998 thereon..." the UCI said in a statement.

"We will not appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and we will recognise the sanction that USADA has imposed."

Earlier this month the US body released a devastating dossier on Armstrong, detailing over 202 pages and with more than 1 000 pages of supporting testimony how he was at the heart of the biggest doping programme in the history of sport.

Armstrong finished 36th overall in the world's biggest bike race in 1995 but was diagnosed with cancer the following year.

He began his seven-year reign over the race in 1999, a year after he had been given the all-clear to compete again by doctors.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2249 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE