Armstrong to cough up

– Lance Armstrong (above) has agreed to pay $5 million in order to settle the looming federal fraud case stemming from his drug-fuelled reign as king of the Tour de France, it was confirmed this week.

The former cycling superstar was due to face a trial next month over claims he defrauded the US government when he doped while racing for his United States Postal Service-sponsored team.

The Postal Service and former team-mate Floyd Landis had sought around $100 million in damages from Armstrong in the case, which was due to get under way on May 7.

However the prospect of a potentially ruinous judgment going against the cancer survivor was averted after Armstrong’s lawyers and the US Justice Department brokered a settlement.

The Washington Post reported Armstrong will also pay $1.65 million to cover the legal costs of former team-mate and whistleblower Landis. A further $1.1m of the $5m amount will go to Landis.

“I am glad to resolve this case and move forward with my life,” Armstrong, 46, said.

The fallen US cycling star had battled back from cancer to win cycling’s most prestigious race, the Tour de France, a record seven consecutive times between 1999 and 2005.

Armstrong finally confessed to using performance-enhancing drugs and was banned from all competitions for life and stripped of his seven Tour titles. –

Los Angeles