The case against Lance Armstrong is closed. His legacy as a seven-time Tour de France champion endures. Federal prosecutors dropped their investigation of Armstrong on Friday, ending a nearly two-year effort aimed at determining whether the world's most famous cyclist and his teammates joined in a doping program during his greatest years.

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Lance Armstrong licked 'em again. Always has. Always will. Like cancer and the Tour de France, the federal government turned out to be just another challenge to conquer. On his trophy wall, next to those bright yellow jerseys he got for winning the world's toughest bike race seven times, Armstrong can now hang the scalp of steroid cop Jeff Novitzky.

Cyclist Lance Armstrong released the following statement through his attorney after the U.S. attorney's office decided Friday not to bring charges against him after a nearly two-year investigation into whether the seven-time Tour de France champion and his teammates ran a doping program: "I am gratified to learn that the U.S.

United States Anti-Doping Agency chief Travis Tygart said on Friday that the group's investigation into doping in cycling would continue.

Federal prosecutors in Los Angeles said on Friday they had closed an investigation into allegations of criminal conduct by members and associates of a bike racing team partly owned by seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong.

United States Attorney Andre Birotte Jr. released the following statement Friday regarding the Lance Armstrong doping investigation: "United States Attorney Andre Birotte Jr. today announced that his office is closing an investigation into allegations of federal criminal conduct by members and associates of a professional bicycle racing team owned in part by Lance Armstrong.

Spanish cyclist Alejandro Valverde says his strong performance in Tour Down Under has relieved some of the pressure after returning from a two-year doping ban. The Movistar rider finished in the same overall time as winner Simon Gerrans only to lose on points, but believes his good form will help his preparations for the Tour de France and the London Olympics.

Three-times Tour de France points winner Robbie McEwen would happily trade one of his green jerseys for the Olympic glory that eluded him, the experienced Australian sprinter said on Tuesday.

The United States landed another world-class cycling event Monday when Greenville, S.C., was chosen as the host city for the 2014 paracycling world championships. The five-day competition will bring more than 450 athletes and 200 coaches from more than 45 countries to the Palmetto State. It will be the first time the U.S.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport says it plans to publish its verdict in Alberto Contador's doping case on Feb. 6. CAS announced the date in a statement on Monday but left open a possibility to still change the day, saying "a confirmation as to the date and time of the publication of the decision will be given by the CAS at the end of this week." The Spanish cyclist is facing a...

Belarus and Colombia have been awarded hosting rights for track cycling's world championships. The International Cycling Union says Belarusian capital Minsk will host in 2013 and Cali, Colombia, in 2014. But the UCI has canceled the inaugural World Cycling Forum that was planned for this year. No host city had been chosen.

* Simon Gerrans wins 2nd Tour Down Under title

Australia's Simon Gerrans won the Tour Down Under for the second time Sunday, giving newly formed Australian GreenEDGE its first victory in a World Tour event. Gerrans, who won the race in 2006 and has won stages of the Tour de France, Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a Espana, entered the 56-mile final stage around an Adelaide street circuit as the race leader, but with the same time as...

The International Cycling Union's appeal to have Russian rider Alexandr Kolobnev banned for doping at the 2011 Tour de France will be heard next month. The Court of Arbitration for Sport said Friday it has set Feb. 7 for the hearing. A verdict is expected several weeks later. The UCI challenged the Russian cycling federation's refusal to ban Kolobnev over his positive test for...

Australian Will Clarke broke away after only two kilometres to snatch a solo victory in the second stage of the Tour Down Under on Wednesday.

* Greipel follows up Classic win with stage triumph

The Court of Arbitration for Sport will issue its decision on Alberto Contador's doping case in about two weeks following delays prompted by questions about the panel's independence. The Spanish cyclist is facing a two-year ban for testing positive for clenbuterol during the 2010 Tour de France.

Three-time Tour de France champion Alberto Contador is one of the cyclists who have been called to testify in the trial of seven people linked to the Operation Puerto doping scandal. Spanish media reports say Contador, former Giro d'Italia winner Ivan Basso and Italy's Michele Scarponi will be questioned by a Madrid court.