BEIJING, Jan. 15 (Xinhuanet) – U.S. top rank cyclist Lance Armstrong confessed to Oprah Winfrey during an interview on Monday that he used performance-enhancing drugs to win the Tour de France.

Armstrong said he was prepared to "speak candidly" during the interview, which was held in Armstrong's hometown of Austin, Texas.

Winfrey did not share details of the interview, but the iconic talk show host went on Twitter to say the interview lasted more than two and a half hours and Armstrong "came READY!"

Winfrey will appear on CBS This Morning Tuesday to promote the Armstrong interview, which airs at 21:00 EDT Thursday on the Oprah Winfrey Network.

This is not quite surprising for many people who have been paying attention to the event.

Dozens of former teammates, support staff and competitors already have detailed Armstrong's use.

The United States Anti-Doping Agency released a 1,000-page report that was staggering in its detail proving it. There have been books and investigative reports and on-the-record accusations.

According to ABC News, a government source said that Armstrong is now talking with authorities about paying back some of the US Postal Service money from sponsoring his team.
He is also talking to authorities about confessing and naming names, giving up others involved in illegal doping.

This could result in a reduction of his lifetime ban, according to the source, if Armstrong provides substantial and meaningful information.

Armstrong, 41, was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles and banned from the sport for life by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency in October 2012, after allegations that he benefited from years of systematic doping, using banned substances and receiving illicit blood transfusions.

"Lance Armstrong has no place in cycling and he deserves to be forgotten in cycling," Pat McQuaid, president of the International Cycling Union, said at a news conference in Switzerland announcing the decision. "This is a landmark day for cycling." (Agencies)

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