ADELAIDE, Australia — Lance Armstrong has already missed one goal in his comeback: a Web site intended to ensure the transparency of his anti-doping program is not up and running.
Armstrong reaffirmed Saturday his competitive return to cycling after three years in retirement would be governed by “the most comprehensive anti-doping program in the history of sports.”
The seven-time Tour de France champion had previously promised a Web site offering open access to results of his doping tests would be operating ahead of his comeback race, the Tour Down Under. The race has a criterium Sunday ahead of its official start Tuesday.
On Saturday, Armstrong offered no assurances the Web site would be on line by Tuesday.
The Texas-based cyclist said his private collaboration with anti-doping crusader Don Catlin had begun and he had been tested by members of Catlin’s team since his arrival in Adelaide a week ago, his 12th controlled test since he announced his comeback Sept. 1.
He promised the Web site intended to allow monitoring of that testing would come later.
“It’s full on. It’s underway,” Armstrong said. “This is the most comprehensive anti-doping plan in the history of sport. I’m proud of it, I respect Don, I know that he’s the toughest that there is out there.
“We’re under way. It’s slightly complicated because you have a lot of people involved and a lot of other agencies involved. Outside of Don Catlin there have been 12 other anti-doping controls out of competition.
“We’re just getting everybody together. We’re committed to having it in place before the first race.”
The 37-year-old testicular cancer survivor arrived in Australia last weekend after spending several weeks in Hawaii training. As well as the Tour Down Under, his race schedule for 2009 will include the Giro d’Italia and an attempt to win an eighth Tour de France.
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