(AP) -- The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency erased 14 years of Lance Armstrong's career Friday - including his record seven Tour de France titles - and banned him for life from the sport that made him a hero to millions of cancer survivors after concluding he used banned substances.
USADA said it expected cycling's governing body to take similar action, but the International Cycling Union was measured in its response, saying it first wanted a full explanation on why Armstrong should relinquish titles he won from 1999 through 2005.
The Amaury Sport Organization that runs the world's most prestigious cycling race said it would not comment until hearing from USADA and the UCI.
Armstrong has strongly denied doping and contends USADA was on a "witch hunt" without any physical evidence against him.
Lance Armstrong is getting plenty of support from fellow riders.
Former rival Filippo Simeoni tells The Associated Press from his home in Sezze, Italy, that "it leaves me a bit perplexed, because someone like him, with all the fame and popularity and millions of dollars he has, should fight to the end if he's innocent."
At the Spanish Vuelta, riders including former rival and teammate Alberto Contador joined ex-Armstrong coach Johan Bruyneel in offering support.
Hours after the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency erased his seven Tour de France victories and banned him from the sport for life, Armstrong tweeted Friday that he's still planning to ride in a mountain bike race in Aspen, Colo., on Saturday and follow it up with a marathon on Sunday.
He tweeted that he was "excited to be racing" and by the 9,000 feet of up and down over 36 miles on Saturday.
Armstrong spokesman Mark Higgins said the races are not governed by USADA.
The races will be Armstrongs' first public appearance since the sanctions were handed down.
Higgins said Armstrong also plans to deliver a keynote speech at a cancer conference in Montreal on Wednesday.
(Copyright ©2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKTVO