Lance Armstrong is unable to ride with is former teammates in the George Hincapie Grand Fondo in South Carolina on Saturday after USA Cycling blocked him due to his lifetime doping ban.
The Texan, who was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles in 2012, planned on riding with Hincapie and former US Postal/Discovery Channel cyclists.
"USA Cycling has been asked by the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) to look into the Hincapie Gran Fondo in the face of questions concerning rider eligibility," a statement read. "An athlete's suspension bars participation in an authorized activity such as this. The UCI has confirmed USA Cycling's interpretation."
The statement explained that USA Cycling considers the sportive an 'activity' that is 'authorised' by the body according to the terms in the World Anti-Doping Code (WADC) and in the anti-doping provisions of cycling governing body's (UCI) regulations.
Armstrong doped through most of his career and received a lifetime ban after USADA's investigation that bars him from competing in events, in this case Hincapie's sportive.
The sportive is non-competitive, but the organiser sanctioned it with USA Cycling for coverage such as insurance. Because it falls under USA Cycling's umbrella, the 43-year-old Texan may not participate.
Former team-mates Hincapie, Michael Barry, Kevin Livingston, Tom Danielson, Christian Vande Velde and David Zabriskie were named as participants in Saturday's 80-mile sportive. The cyclists except Livingston confessed and helped in the US investigation against Armstrong and received bans related that have now expired. Zabriskie told VeloNews website that he could not make the trip to Greenville, South Carolina.
Current professional are planning on riding, as well, including BMC Racing stage race leader Tejay van Garderen, his team-mates Larry Warbasse and Brent Bookwalter, Alex Howes (Garmin-Sharp) and Matthew Busche (Trek Factory Racing).
"Lance will not be joining us at the Fondo this year," Hincapie said in a statement.
"More then a month ago we conferred with what we thought was the appropriate governing body regarding his participation. At that time we were given the green light for him to ride.
"Our intent was never to cause a stir, but we are disappointed to learn they've reversed course at the eleventh hour. We will of course comply with the ruling, and look forward to a great event Saturday."
Bill Kellick of USA Cycling denied that anyone at the organisation had giver permission to Armstrong, telling VeloNews: "We had no prior knowledge… No one here gave him a green light to participate.”
USADA to examine Armstrong eligibility for Hincapie Gran Fondo
Lance Armstrong to reunite with 1999 US Postal Service Team members
Lance Armstrong is set to reunite with members of the controversial 1999 U.S. Postal Service team this weekend
Travis Tygart hits out at Thor Hushovd over Armstrong silence
-
-
French doctor accused of inciting doping and illegally practicing medicine faces two-year jail sentence
Prosecutors have also requested Bernard Sainz receives a €30,000 and a permanent ban from sport and health fields
By Ryan Dabbs •
-
'I don’t want to end my time with the regret of not ever trying': Julian Alaphilippe wants to try and win Tour de France before retiring
The double world champion will focus on the Classics in 2022 but still has an eye on the French Grand Tour
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
Trial begins into French doctor and two others accused of attempting to dope cyclists
Bernand Sainz has been involved in cycling circles for the best part of six decades
By Chris Marshall-Bell •
-
Johan Bruyneel: 'Lance Armstrong was the perfect target to be sacrificed' to clean up cycling
The former rider and team boss says in his era the choice was 'either you adapt and you dope yourself, or you disappear'
By Jonny Long •
-
British Paralympic hopeful cyclist banned for three years for doping offence
Erin McBride, who joined the British Cycling team after switching from athletics this year, tested positive for a banned substance
By Alex Ballinger •
-
Two Italian cyclists banned following doping violations
One was an amateur time trial champion
By Jonny Long •
-
'I was almost dead': Jan Ullrich speaks out on his recovery on Lance Armstrong's podcast
The former Tour de France winner spoke about how finding friends in Armstrong and others after re-adopting a healthy lifestyle
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
German former rider receives nine year doping ban and stripped of 11 years worth of results
Björn Thurau retired from racing at the end of 2019
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
Doping ban for former Trek-Segafredo rider upheld after his appeal fails
The Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld the four-year ban for the 36-year-old
By Alex Ballinger •
-
Delko rider banned for doping says he tested positive after eye surgery
A Delko rider banned for doping has claimed he tested positive after having eye surgery.
By Alex Ballinger •
