Hard to know who to believe anymore. I'm sticking with Lance and it looks like the big boys are too......Major marketers such as RadioShack Corp., Anheuser-Busch InBev NV and Nissan Motor Co. are sticking by seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong despite the emergence of new allegations against the cycling pro.
Former Tour de France winner Floyd Landis, who was stripped of his 2006 Tour win for doping, provided The Wall Street Journal more details about his use of performance-enhancing drugs and made more claims of doping by Mr. Armstrong. In a statement Saturday, Mr. Armstrong broadly dismissed the allegations and questioned Mr. Landis's credibility. He did not address specific allegations.
Several advertisers say the new details have not caused them to rethink their sponsorship deals with the well-known athlete.
"Our agreement with Mr. Armstrong and the Team remains unchanged," said David P. Reuter, a spokesman for Nissan. Earlier this year, Nissan signed a two-year sponsorship agreement with Mr. Armstrong and Team RadioShack, the cycling team that includes Mr. Armstrong.
The 38-year Texan is currently being used in ads to pitch the Leaf, Nissan's new electric car. "These allegations remain unsubstantiated and we don't intend to discuss the details," added Mr. Reuter.
