Under testimony for the US Federal Government False Claims Act case, Lance Armstrong has admitted his 1993 "Million Dollar" Triple Crown victory was bought, confirming 2013 accusations by Roberto Gaggioli. Armstrong states the deal was done with the help of then-Motorola team manager and current BMC Racing team manager Jim Ochowicz, who denied the claim.
But Alexi Grewal, who was a member of the Coors Light team that was paid off in the deal, confirmed the transaction on his Facebook page, stating, "I was there. I voted in the team meeting about the deal, it happened, my money came in cash, Ron Kiefel handed it to me in a paper bag, Ochowicz is lying."
In June of 1993 Armstrong won the the Thrift Drug Classic and the K-Mart West Virginia Classic, needing a victory in the third and final leg of the Thrift Drug Triple Crown of Cycling to claim a million dollar prize for winning all three races. Gaggioli claimed Armstrong's team paid his team $100,000 to ensure the American won the race. In 2006, Gaggioli's New Zealand Coors Light teammate Stephen Swart - a future Motorola teammate with Armstrong - testified that Armstrong paid out $50,000.
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Velonews acquired a transcript of the testimony containing the accusations from Armstrong, and received the firm denial from Ochowicz.
Cyclingnews has sought comment from BMC regarding the accusations, but has received no reply.
Armstrong's then Motorola teammate Phil Anderson was also implicated in the testimony, but the Australian earlier denied the accusation.
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com
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