NEW YORK — Lance Armstrong is chasing an eighth Tour de France title and an elusive feat: persuading everyone he’s clean.
As Armstrong reunites with his close friend and Astana team director Johan Bruyneel, the man behind his yellow jerseys, he’s also adding a new member to his support group. Anti-doping expert Don Catlin has been hired to test Armstrong anytime, anywhere — and to post the results online for the world to see.
“I think it’s the first time an athlete can actually be totally validated on the chance he’s successful,” Armstrong said Wednesday. “In my opinion, Don Catlin is beyond reproach.”
Armstrong, 37, revealed details of his comeback two weeks after saying he would end a three-year retirement. He will ride for Astana and compete in the Tour Down Under in Adelaide, Australia, in January.
Astana was banned from this year’s Tour because of past doping violations. But Pat McQuaid, the leader of cycling’s governing body, said he believed the team would be allowed to return in 2009.
Neben wins time trial at worlds
VARESE, Italy — American Amber Neben rode to victory in the women’s time trial at the world championships, using her disappointing Olympics as motivation to surprise a field that included Beijing gold medalist Kristin Armstrong.
“I was just hoping that David would slay Goliath today,” Neben said.
Neben finished the 13.76-mile ride in 33 minutes, 51.35 seconds to edge Austria’s Christiane Soeder by 7.56 seconds. Armstrong never mounted a challenge.
The Associated Press
