Lance Armstrong assailed a new book going on sale in France on Thursday as "another baseless attack" against the seven-time Tour de France champion.
The book by Pierre Ballester and David Walsh, who wrote L.A. Confidential: The Secrets of Lance Armstrong in 2004, is based on testimony given in a legal dispute between Armstrong and Dallas-based SCA Promotions, which had a bonus contract with the cyclist.
The new book, L.A. Official, evokes the "strategies put in place by the Armstrong 'clan' to preserve intact 'the legend,"' the French daily Le Monde reported Wednesday.
Lance Armstrong called a new book about him 'a sensationalized attempt to cash in on my name and sully my reputation.'
(Associated Press)
"This latest attack will be no different than the first — a sensationalized attempt to cash in on my name and sully my reputation by people who have demonstrated a consistent failure to adhere to the most basic journalistic standards or ethics," Armstrong said in a statement.
Allegations of cheating
SCA Promotions tried to withhold a $5 million bonus owed Armstrong for winning his sixth straight Tour de France, citing allegations of cheating in L.A. Confidential.
Armstrong sued, and testimony in the dispute included statements from former teammate Frankie Andreu and his wife, Betsy, who alleged Armstrong told doctors in 1996 he had used performance-enhancing drugs.
Armstrong vigorously denied the claims. The arbitration panel ruled in his favor, ordering the company to pay him $7.5 million.
"I raced clean. I won clean," Armstrong said in his statement.
"I am the most tested athlete in the history of sports. I have defended myself and won every court case to prove I was clean. Yet another French book with baseless, sensational and rejected allegations will not overcome the truth."
