Judge dismisses Armstrong’s case against USADA

NEW YORK (AP) - A federal judge in Austin, Texas, has thrown out Lance Armstrong's lawsuit against the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, an attempt to stop the drug case against the seven-time Tour de France winner.

Armstrong has repeatedly denied doping. His lawsuit claimed USADA lacked jurisdiction and that its arbitration process violates his constitutional rights.

U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks dismissed the lawsuit, allowing the case to proceed. Armstrong can appeal in federal court, go ahead with USADA's arbitration or accept its sanctions.

Penalties could include a lifetime ban from the sport and loss of his titles.

USADA says Armstrong took steroids and blood boosters to win the Tour de France every year from 1999 to 2005.