No coverup, says former UCI leader

Former world cycling federation president Hein Verbruggen feels vindicated after years of ‘‘conspiracy theories’’ that he helped to cover up doping by Lance Armstrong. The World Anti-Doping Agency feels otherwise.

The International Cycling Union’s (UCI) honorary president said today it was ‘‘good that Lance Armstrong finally admitted to doping’’.

His admission was welcomed by the UCI as an important step in repairing the damage the disgraced rider did to the sport.

While admitting doping during an interview with Oprah Winfrey, Armstrong denied allegations that he tested positive during the 2001 Tour de Suisse and conspired with UCI officials to cover it up in exchange for a donation.

‘‘I agree with its conclusions, in particular the fact that there was no coverup,’’ said Verbruggen, who led the UCI from 1991 to 2005.

‘‘I am pleased that after years of accusations being made against me, the conspiracy theories have been shown to be nothing more than that,’’ the Dutch official said. ‘‘I have no doubt that the peddlers of such accusations and conspiracies will be disappointed by this outcome.’’

Armstrong reportedly paid the UCI US$125,000 (NZ$150,000). Fellow riders Floyd Landis and Tyler Hamilton testified to the United States Anti-Doping Agency that the money was in exchange for covering up a positive test for the blood booster EPO.

‘‘That story isn’t true. There was no positive test. No paying off of the lab. The UCI did not make that go away. I’m no fan of the UCI,’’ Armstrong told Winfrey.

Verbruggen said that ‘‘given this is true, I was not surprised that Lance Armstrong confirmed this in the interview’’.

Still, statements issued by Verbruggen and the UCI today did not directly address Armstrong’s recollection that ‘‘they asked if I would make a donation’’, apparently towards anti-doping equipment.

‘‘[The UCI] called and said they didn’t have a lot of money – I did,’’ Armstrong said.