According to the US media, Lance Armstrong explained last month in the United States government case against him that general manager BMC Jim Ochowicz and former team-mate Phil Anderson orchestrated a $1m race win in 1993.
In 2013, former rider Roberto Gaggioli had already spoken about the deal. He told the Corriere della Sera newspaper that he received $100,000 in cash from Lance Armstrong who wanted to win the 1993 Triple Crown series. Four Mercatone Uno riders who were also in a winning move with Armstrong have reportedly also been paid.
The transcript which has been published by Velonews, reads as follows:
Paul Scott [a member of Landis’ legal team]: Did anybody offer to pay any money on your behalf to any member of the Coors Light cycling team to allow you to win any stage of that race?
Armstrong: I believe that Jim Ochowicz, perhaps Phil Anderson, negotiated some package with Coors Light.
Scott: And how is it that you believe that Jim Ochowicz did that?
Armstrong: Because I heard that.
Scott: From whom?
Armstrong: From those guys. From Jim.
Scott: Jim Ochowicz told you he negotiated a deal?
Armstrong: Yeah. And Phil Anderson.
Scott: And Phil Anderson. For them basically to not compete at their strongest level and allow you to win the race; is that right?
Armstrong: No. Well —
Sharif Jacob [a member of Armstrong’s legal team]: Calls for speculation.
Armstrong: — I don’t know if they competed — I don’t think they threw the race, but I don’t know — I was so new to the sport, and that side of the sport was so new to me, I wasn’t very clear on how that worked.
Ochowicz directed the Motorola team until 1995, presided over USA Cycling Board of Directors and in 2007 began his work with BMC Racing. According to Cyclingnews, he has denied any knowledge of the deal. Anderson was interviewed by ABC television. "I can't remember an offer. I think that the $1 million was underwritten by an insurance company, but I don't recall. I mean that's a few years ago. I don't recall any meeting."
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