FILE - In this Feb. 28, 2011, file photo, former cycling champion Lance Armstrong smiles during a news conference at the Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. Armstrong is asking a federal court to block the latest doping charges against him. The seven-time Tour de France winner filed a lawsuit in Austin, Texas, on Monday, July 9, 2012. Through his attorneys, he argues the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency violates the constitutional rights of athletes when it brings charges against them, and that USADA should not be allowed to pursue charges Armstrong used performance-enhancing drugs during his career. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)
July 10, 2012 - 12:31 PM
The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency has issued lifetime sports bans to three former staff members and consultants for some of Lance Armstrong's winning Tour de France teams.
Luis Garcia del Moral of Spain was a team doctor; Michele Ferrari was a consulting doctor; and Jose (Pepe) Marti (trainer) worked for Armstrong's U.S. Postal Service teams. All had been accused by USADA of participating in a vast doping conspiracy on those teams.
USADA announced the ban Tuesday, the day after the deadline they faced to challenge the allegations or accept sanctions.
Armstrong also has been charged and has declared his innocence. Armstrong is asking a federal court to block USADA's case against him from going forward.
An Armstrong spokesman declined immediate comment.
News from © The Associated Press, 2012