Drug cheat Armstrong ‘appalled’ by position of his nemesis David Walsh

DISGRACED cyclist Lance Armstrong has hit out at journalist David Walsh, describing his support of convicted paedophile Tom Humphries as “appalling”.

The ‘Sunday Times’ chief sports writer was Armstrong’s nemesis and exposed him as a drugs cheat several years before the Texan admitted to doping.

Armstrong was subsequently stripped of his seven Tour de France titles and banned from sanctioned Olympic sports for life.

He told the Irish Independent he believed Walsh’s action in providing a testimonial letter for Humphries was appalling, although he admitted that he did not have much credibility in speaking out on the issue.

“His position is appalling and totally inexcusable.

“Having said that, it’s not surprising. David does what David wants,” he said.

Armstrong added: “Despite all of our differences, I say this knowing I have literally zero cred on issues regarding him.”

Yesterday, Armstrong listened to a podcast of a previously unbroadcast interview with Walsh that was conducted by Today FM’s Matt Cooper.

During the interview, it was put to Walsh that a comparison could be drawn between someone defending Armstrong and his defence of Humphries.

“I think the comparison you’ve made is odious. I really do, I think it’s completely inappropriate,” Walsh said.

Responding to this, Armstrong said: “Calling the comparison ‘odious’ when we’re talking about a crime that has actual victims, versus an athlete who competed in a sport where the crime (doping) was pervasive just shows how dysfunctional he truly is.”

Armstrong settled with the ‘Sunday Times’ in 2013 after it had sought the return of a libel settlement over doping allegations.