The International Cycling Union (UCI) has asked several national federations to investigate doping-related allegations made by disgraced rider Floyd Landis.
RadioShack manager Johan Bruyneel, Garmin-Transitions sports director Matthew White, Team Sky rider Michael Barry and BMC manager John Lelangue would be investigated, the UCI said in a statement on Wednesday.
"The UCI has...requested the relevant national federations to carry out inquiries into the accusations made by Mr. Floyd Landis against their licence-holders, namely Cycling Australia (Matthew White), Royal Belgian Cycling League (Johan Bruyneel), Canadian Cycling Association (Michael Barry) and the French Cycling Federation (John Lelangue)," the sport's governing body said.
The UCI said allegations made by Landis against former U.S. Postal team mate and seven-times Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong were already being investigated.
"An inquiry has also already been opened by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) concerning all the other individuals accused by Mr. Landis as these persons have U.S. nationality (Lance Armstrong, George Hincapie, Levi Leipheimer, Jim Ochowicz and David Zabriskie)," it added.
Landis, who was stripped of his 2006 Tour title after a positive test for testosterone, admitted to doping last week and accused Armstrong and others of also cheating.
Armstrong has dismissed the accusations as untrue and his lawyers, who last week issued a statement saying Landis had "zero credibility", said in a fresh statement that Armstrong "looked forward to once again being totally vindicated after a fair investigation."
"We understand that responsible anti-doping organizations and governmental agencies have an obligation to investigate allegations of wrongdoing, even when those allegations are baseless, incredible, and made by people with improper motives," read a statement on the Team RadioShack website.
"At the same time, much of what has been reported in the press is false, sensational and unprofessional."
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