Lance Armstrong: US Anti-Doping Agency brings doping charges against 7-time Tour de France winner

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency is bringing doping charges against seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, questioning his victories in those storied cycling races.

   Armstrong, who retired from cycling last year, could face a lifetime ban from the sport if he is found to have used performance-enhancing drugs.

   The story was first reported Wednesday by the Washington Post.

   The charges from USADA come just months after federal prosecutors closed a two-year criminal investigation of Armstrong without indicting him.

   Armstrong maintained his innocence, saying: "I have never doped, and, unlike many of my accusers, I have competed as an endurance athlete for 25 years with no spike in performance, passed more than 500 drug tests and never failed one."