Former Armstrong team manager declares innocence of doping charges

The Associated Press

AUSTIN, Texas - The team manager behind Lance Armstrong's seven consecutive Tour de France victories says he's innocent of doping charges raised by U.S. officials.

Johan Bruyneel is manager of the RadioShack-Nissan-Trek team. In a statement he posted on Friday on his website and Twitter, Bruyneel says he never participated in any doping activities and is dismayed by the charges.

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency is accusing Armstrong, Bruyneel and several others connected to the teams of participating in a doping conspiracy. Bruyneel's statement does not mention Armstrong or the others.

Armstrong insists he is innocent.

Bruyneel says he will co-operate with the USADA investigation but is confident he and the others will be cleared of wrongdoing.