World cycling’s decision to strip Lance Armstrong of his record seven Tour de France wins could cost the shamed US rider millions, amid calls for tougher action to restore the sport’s shattered image.
The International Cycling Union (UCI) on Monday gave its backing to a damning US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) dossier that placed the Texan at the heart of the biggest doping programme in sport, erasing his record back to August 1, 1998.
But as the 41-year-old’s major triumphs were scrubbed from the history books and officials vowed to up the fight against banned substances, moves began to recoup his prize money, bonuses and other pay-outs.
Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme said they would seek the repayment of nearly €2.95 million from Armstrong’s successes in cycling’s most gruelling and celebrated race between 1999 and 2005.
During Armstrong’s dominant period, Tailwind Sports, the parent company of his US Postal Service team, took out a policy with sports insurance firm SCA Promotions, paying a premium to cover bonuses paid for his Tour victories.
SCA withheld a $5 million bonus due after Armstrong’s sixth Tour win in 2004 because of doping allegations in Europe.
The rider took the Dallas, Texas, firm to court and was awarded the cash, plus $2.5 million in legal fees and interest.
The firm’s lawyer, Jeffrey Dorough, said: “Mr Armstrong is no longer the official winner of any Tour de France races and as a result it is inappropriate and improper for him to retain any bonus payments made by SCA.”
The Velonation cycling news website reported that SCA paid out a total of $12 million in bonuses to Armstrong over the years.
Dorough said he could only confirm the lower figure but added: “Any sum that was paid by SCA would be in play.”
Elsewhere, Britain’s Sunday Times newspaper has said it is considering legal action against Armstrong to recover money spent defending a defamation case over doping allegations, which was settled in 2004.
The settlement was not disclosed but reports have suggested the case cost the weekly newspaper €1.2 million.
Armstrong, who reportedly has an estimated net worth of $125 million, has already taken a financial hit, as high-profile sponsors including sportswear firm Nike have dropped him from marketing campaigns.
On the legal front, he could yet fact court action for perjury after swearing on oath that he never doped. If any charge is pursued, the maximum penalty is up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $1.5 million.