US lawmaker questions Armstrong probe

US Congressman Jack Kingston criticised the ongoing federal probe into seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong and allegations of doping.

The Georgia Republican made the comments on Friday during a House of Representatives subcommittee hearing on budgeting for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

That is the office whose staffers include agent Jeff Novitzky, who handled the BALCO steroid scandal that rocked baseball and athletics and who is looking into Armstrong.

Former Armstrong team-mate Floyd Landis, himself an admitted dope cheat whose use of performance-enhancing drugs cost him a Tour de France crown, said Armstrong and others routinely used banned substances. Armstrong has steadfastly denied the claims.

“If he has broken the law, then that is a serious matter,” Kingston said.

“But it almost appears to me that there’s a little adventurism going on here, that Novitsky is operating on his own. I would like to know how much has been spent on this investigation and why so much.”

Kingston praised Armstrong, a cancer survivor, as a sport hero.

“This is an icon who revolutionised bike riding and brought it home to so many of us,” he said.

“This is a huge icon that you’re trying to take down – and maybe it should, I’m not saying you’re wrong on this. But you’re really going after somebody whose name is synonymous with health.”