Lance Armstrong doping allegations take new turn

Allegations against cyclist Lance Armstrong for taking performance-enhancing drugs may now spread to his team and peers, it has been claimed.

According to the New York Times, federal officials are looking at whether Armstrong and his associates could be guilty of defrauding sponsors by doping to improve their abilities and garner more prize money.

It comes after fellow athlete Floyd Landis accused the seven-time Tour de France winner of training others to get around the drug detection system.

The news provider noted that two sources - that wished to remain unnamed - said authorities are examining whether Armstrong used United States Postal Services sponsor money for performance-enhancing chemicals between 1996 and 2004.

It noted that fraud charges often carry heavier sentences than those relating purely to drug distribution.

Earlier this year, cyclist Thomas Frei admitted taking banned blood booster erythropoietin, leading him to be dropped by the BMC Racing Team.