PARIS - World cycling's decision to strip Lance Armstrong of his record seven Tour de France wins could cost the shamed US rider millions, as calls mounted for tougher action to restore the sport's shattered image.
The International Cycling Union (UCI) on Tuesday gave its backing to a damning US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) dossier that placed the Texan at the heart of the biggest doping program in sport, erasing his record back to August 1, 1998. But as the 41-year-old's major triumphs were scrubbed from the history books and officials vowed to up the fight against banned substances, moves began to recoup his prize money, bonuses and other pay-outs. Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme is seeking repayment of nearly 2.95 million euros ($F6.92 million) from Armstrong's successes in cycling's most gruelling and celebrated race between 1999 and 2005.