AIGLE, Switzerland — The International Cycling Union asked national members in four countries to investigate riders and officials based on claims of doping made by Floyd Landis.
The UCI said Wednesday the investigations concern Australia’s Matthew White, Belgium’s Johan Bruyneel — the longtime team manager of Lance Armstrong — Canada’s Michael Barry and France’s John Lelangue to establish if they broke anti-doping rules.
The UCI stressed that ordering the probes did not “in any way” imply it believes Landis’ accusations. Landis has alleged that Bruyneel and Armstrong tried to cover up a failed drug test in 2001 by the seven-time Tour de France winner.
The New York Times, citing anonymous sources, reported Tuesday night that U.S. authorities examining the Landis allegations are looking into whether they should expand their probe to include other charges involving fraud. Armstrong has denied Landis’ claims.
Landis, who was stripped of the 2006 Tour title, recently admitted doping throughout his career.
Lakers must find their swagger
LOS ANGELES — The Lakers’ swagger has been reduced to a stagger by consecutive losses in the Western Conference finals.
Los Angeles now realizes it can’t defend its NBA title if it can’t defend the aggressive, inventive Suns. Phoenix has scored 113 points per game in the series, which is even heading into the pivotal Game 5 tonight.
Kobe Bryant and his teammates still haven’t figured out how to guard the Suns, but Phoenix concocted a zone defense that has thrown the Lakers for a loop.
“They challenge you in a lot of ways that we have to adjust to,” Lakers forward Pau Gasol said.
Tiger to play in Memorial
DUBLIN, Ohio — Tiger Woods will defend his title next week at the Memorial Tournament, marking his return to the PGA Tour after three weeks spent rehabbing a neck injury.
Woods withdrew from The Players Championship on May 9 with an inflamed facet joint in his neck. “The doctors advised me to take a week off and rest, which I did,” Woods said. “Although I’m not 100 percent, I feel much better.”
Footnotes.
Former University of Colorado star Alfred Williams will officially be named a member of the College Football Hall of Fame when the group announces its 2010 class today.
Williams was one of three former Buffs on the ballot this year. Also nominated were former coach Bill McCartney and former running back Eric Bieniemy.
Williams, a member of the 1990 CU national champion team, won the Butkus Award that year as the nation’s top linebacker. He finished his career as the program’s all-time leader in quarterback sacks.
• U.S. skier TJ Lanning will skip the 2011 World Cup season to focus on recovering from a downhill crash last November in Lake Louise, Alberta, that fractured his neck and dislocated his left knee.
• Real Madrid fired Manuel Pellegrini and plans to hire Jose Mourinho as its new coach.
The Associated Press
