Community in a spin over Armstrong's alleged confession

THE Mackay cycling community is in a spin over legend Lance Armstrong’s alleged confession to taking drugs during his career.

Lance Armstrong is expected to admit his guilt in taking enhancing drugs throughout his career in an Oprah Winfrey interview. Picture: Doug Pensinger

THE Mackay cycling community is in a spin over legend Lance Armstrong's alleged confession to taking drugs during his career.

There has been speculation the 117-year-old Olympic event will be scrapped if it's found cycling officials helped to cover up Armstrong's doping scandal.

But Rock N Road Cycles owner Ron Steel said this would "never ever happen".

"I don't think they could do it. It's just a scare tactic.

"It's such a popular sport and Australians love it."

Steel believes the cycling officials had to have known about the drug use, and tried to "squash it" for the reputation of the sport.

"They would have known. It's a surprise that Armstrong got away with it for so long," he said.

According to cycling enthusiast and Mackay councillor Greg Martin, Armstrong's denial hadn't helped him gain much sympathy.

"His constant denial has just made things worse."

In an interview with talk-show queen Oprah Winfrey, Armstrong has allegedly confessed to the doping charges, and Steel is glad it's finally out.

"They'll start cleaning up the sport now," Steel said.

"I hope guilty ones will start to come out and confess."

Cr Martin said the Livestrong Foundation would be ruined by Armstrong's drug allegations.

"It will definitely tarnish the foundation that he created. No doubt they will have to re-brand."

Another Mackay cyclist, Louis Bezzina, wasn't surprised to hear Armstrong had used illegal drugs during his cycling career.

"I always sort of doubted him. He was just too good.

"What he did was wrong and it's a shame he did it."

Originally published as Community in a spin over Armstrong's alleged confession