Image 1 of 4 Lance Armstrong liked to control the media (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 2 of 4 Lance Armstrong and Marco Pantani on the Mont Ventoux during the 2000 Tour de France (Image credit: AFP Photo) Image 3 of 4 Lance Armstrong and Filippo Simeoni at the 2004 Tour de France (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 4 of 4 Lance Armstrong (US Postal) protected by his body guard at the 2004 Tour de France (Image credit: AFP)

Lance Armstrong has revealed that he has virtually abandoned cycling, opting to play golf to 'clear his mind' as he fights to save his name and fight a series of legal battles after he was banned for life by USADA.

The Texan was in Rome on Thursday and spoke to La Gazzetta dello Sport's Pier Bergonzi during a round of golf. Cyclingnews understands Armstrong's European tour will also include a visit to Paris on Friday.

In the interview, Armstrong hinted he will not try to reach a deal with the US Justice Department and Floyd Landis in their civil legal battle, with the case possibly going to trial in 2016.

Just as during his long interview with Cyclingnews, Armstrong also continued to lament that his life ban was unfair compared to other riders' bans and continued to complain that other dopers have not been punished as much as he has.





"They could have given me a ban that was five, six or even ten times bigger, but not a thousand times. The truth is that in the world of sport, and especially in cycling, there's a lot of hypocrisy. I'm the absolute evil, others are still considered legends…"

Armstrong said he's is still in contact with George Hincapie and Johan Bruyneel but revealed that others have ended any kind of contact.

"I've been dumped by the likes of Nike and Trek. I've not heard from (former Motorola and now BMC team manager) Jim Ochowicz or Eddy Merckx. I can understand that interests are at stake but I hope to rebuild certain relationships," he said.

"I've virtually given up riding"

Armstrong revealed he had no desire to compete in cycling again, at any level.





"Golf is helping me a lot. I take my golf clubs everywhere I go. I run to keep fit but to clear my head of bad thoughts, there's nothing better than golf.

"The bike? No more cycling. I've virtually given up riding in the last year. I only ride with friends."

USADA has claimed there is a one in million chance that Armstrong blood values were natural in 2009 and 2010 at the Tour de France but he again insisted he did not dope during the comeback that ultimately led to his downfall.

"I've already told too many lies and I can't allow myself to tell more. But I repeat, in 2009 I stayed well away from doping. I think the urine and blood samples from that year are still available. If someone goes and controls them, they wouldn't find traces of doping in mine," he said.