USADA issues lifetime bans for 3 Armstrong associates charged in doping case

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency has issued lifetime sports bans to three former staff members and consultants for some of Lance Armstrong’s winning Tour de France teams.

Luis Garcia del Moral of Spain was a team doctor; Michele Ferrari was a consulting doctor; and Jose (Pepe) Marti (trainer) worked for Armstrong’s U.S. Postal Service teams. All had been accused by USADA of participating in a vast doping conspiracy on those teams.

USADA announced the ban Tuesday, the day after the deadline they faced to challenge the allegations or accept sanctions.

Armstrong also has been charged and has declared his innocence. Armstrong is asking a federal court to block USADA’s case against him from going forward.

An Armstrong spokesman declined immediate comment.