US cycling body sides with Armstrong against USADA

NEW YORK — The American governing body for cycling says it must accept the jurisdiction of the sport’s international federation and side against the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency in the court fight to determine which has group has jurisdiction over the Lance Armstrong doping case.

USADA has charged the seven-time Tour de France winner with using performance-enhancing drugs. Armstrong sued in federal court in Austin, Texas, claiming USADA rules violate athletes’ constitutional right to a fair trial.

The International Cycling Union (UCI) then asserted jurisdiction in the case, saying USADA had no right to get involved. USADA says its power comes from the World Anti-Doping Agency.

Armstrong’s lawyers wrote a letter Friday to U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks, attaching a letter from Stephen Hess, a lawyer from USA Cycling.

“USAC believes that UCI has the power to express its interpretation of WADA’s anti-doping code,” Hess wrote.