Cycling Body Strips Lance Armstrong Of Tour de France Wins

AIGLE, Switzerland (AP) — The president of cycling's governing body says the Lance Armstrong doping affair should not be an issue in the organization's upcoming election.

Pat McQuaid faces British Cycling head Brian Cookson in the September vote to lead the International Cycling Union.

The Armstrong case fueled claims the ruling body protected Armstrong from doping allegations during his Tour de France victories from 1999 to 2005.

McQuaid became cycling's leader in 2005. He tells The Associated Press that Armstrong and "issues related to him" should not be a factor in the vote.

In beginning his campaign Monday, McQuaid says the election should "be about cycling today and cycling tomorrow ... (not) about what happened 10 years ago."

McQuaid pledges to "preserve the new culture and era of clean cycling," promote women's cycling and continue developing the sport worldwide.


Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.

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