Lance Armstrong asks USADA to drop charges for alleged doping

Seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong has asked the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) to drop his doping accusation for lack of evidence, according to a letter obtained by The Washington Post.

In the letter, Armstrong's lawyer, Robert Luskin, maintains that USADA has not provided sufficient evidence to support the procedure. The report is to be reviewed by a committee of four agency experts who Armstrong demands drop all charges against him.

Last week USADA filed formal charges against the American, whom it accuses of doping between 1996 and 2011, which could take away his seven Tour de France victories.

The cyclist and five people from his closest circle: his former sports director Johan Bruyneel, the Italian doctor Michel Ferrari and three Spanish trainers have been notified by letter of the "legal process initiated against them for the alleged violations of anti-doping regulations".