Landis Says USADA Went After Him To Get Armstrong

LOS ANGELES (AP) _ Cyclist Floyd Landis says the US Anti-Doping Agency's lead attorney offered him ``the shortest suspension they'd ever given an athlete'' -- that is, if Landis provided

Friday, May 11th 2007, 7:32 am

By: News On 6

LOS ANGELES (AP) _ Cyclist Floyd Landis says the US Anti-Doping Agency's lead attorney offered him ``the shortest suspension they'd ever given an athlete'' -- that is, if Landis provided information implicating Lance Armstrong for doping.

Landis said at a news conference yesterday in Los Angeles that he's making the allegations public to show the lengths the USADA will go to in prosecuting athletes.

Over the years, Armstrong has fought doping allegations that have never been proven.

Landis says USADA general counsel Travis Tygart approached his attorney, Howard Jacobs, with a deal shortly after learning Landis tested positive for doping during last year's Tour de France victory.

Landis says the offer didn't justify a response.

Tygart says he won't comment on what he calls Landis' ``nonsense.''

Armstrong's an Austin cyclist and cancer survivor who won an unprecedented seven Tours de France -- all in a row.