Ex-UCI president Verbruggen cites Armstrong interview as proof there was no doping coverup

The Associated Press

LAUSANNE, Switzerland - Former International Cycling Union President Hein Verbruggen says allegations he helped cover up Lance Armstrong's doping were shown as "conspiracy theories" by the rider's interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Verbruggen says in a statement he is "pleased that after years of accusations being made against me, the conspiracy theories have been shown to be nothing more than that."

The Dutch official, who led the UCI from 1991-2005, has "no doubt that the peddlers of such accusations and conspiracies will be disappointed by this outcome."

Armstrong told Winfrey that former teammates' testimony about the UCI making a positive test at the 2001 Tour of Switzerland "go away" was untrue.

Armstrong said money he gave the UCI was "not in exchange for help."

Verbruggen says he's "not surprised that Lance Armstrong confirmed this."