Hein Verbruggen knew about Lance Armstrong's doping  and protected him. Those are the accusations made by former WADA president Dick Pound in an interview with De Telegraaf: "He was regarded as the global show window of cycling."

"Armstrong is one of the most egregious cheaters which sport has produced. No athlete could sell himself better than him. He is the prototype of the cunning sportsman who can cheat the system over and over again," said the Canadian. "How? Simply because he was protected by the UCI. His image had to be protected at all costs. Fortunately, he eventually turned out not to be untouchable."

According to the former boss of the World Anti-Doping Agency, Verbruggen did so because the sport had fallen into a downward spiral at that time. "Public attention was decreasing," Pound said. "And then, suddenly this wunderkind emerged on the scene. An American, cancer sruvivor who also won the Tour de France seven times. Seven times! For Christ's sake! And while everyone knew at the time that the Tour could absolutely not be won without doping."

With that thought in mind, Pound continues his accusations. According to him, UCI's Dutch boss must have been aware of all practices around the Texan. "No doubt about it. Though it never became clear exactly how close his relationship with Armstrong was. However, for me it is clear that Armstrong should be protected with all possible resources."

Pound also has his doubts about the way the International Cycling Union handled Armstrong and the new doping tests. "An EPO test was developed and what happened then? Armstrong was invited and was told by doctors how the test works. Doses, limits, how long the use of EPO could be traced, he was told absolutely everything. What did the UCI want to achieve? The answer seems clear."

Hein Verbruggen has responded to Dick Pound's statements to his address. Speaking to ANP, Dutchman laughs them off. "I have read Pound's allegations with both disguise and pleasure," said Verbruggen.

"Pound knows that he still has to explain the fact that he fought against cycling, the UCI and me for 10 years, accusing us for complicity and corruption, while he has never said anything about athletics and what happened there," said the man who was the head of the UCI for almost 15 years.