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BERLIN, Oct 30, 2008 (AFP) - Top German cyclist Linus Gerdemann, known for
his staunch anti-doping stance, has criticized the return of Lance Armstrong
because of the doping suspicions once surrounding the seven-times Tour de
France winner.

Armstrong recently announced his comeback to cycling after a three-year
hiatus and is expected to bid for an eighth yellow jersey next July in the
world’s premier cycling event.

But news of the 37-year-old American’s return has not been universally
welcomed, due mainly to a series of allegations, all unproven, that he used
doping products during his seven-year reign.

Gerdemann won the first mountain stage of the 2007 Tour on his debut but
missed this year’s race, and the Beijing Olympics, because of a broken leg.

Regarded as the rider who could help restore cycling’s credibility in
Germany, where doping scandal has left it on the scrapheap, the 26-year-old
Tour of Germany winner says Armstrong’s return will do no good for the sport.

“This is not positive for the credibility of cycling,” said Gerdemann as he
announced his switch from Team Columbia to Milram.

“But there’s nothing anyone can do about it.”

Gerdemann’s sentiments echo those of German television chiefs at ARD and
ZDF, who have refused to cover the Tour de France next year after a spate of
high-profile doping scandals have tarnished the event, including positive
tests by German riders.

“For us, Armstrong is a piece of the past we don’t want to see again,”
Rolf-Dieter Ganz, head of communications at ARD, told Die Welt newspaper on
September 14.

“The future belongs to young riders, certainly not to Armstrong’s
generation which we had hoped to have seen the back of.”

Gerdemann suggested that seeing Armstrong coming back to the Tour would
equate to the fight against doping not being honored.

He added: “I understand the broadcasters’ decision, and it is a pity the
fight against doping will not be honored.”