Lance Armstrong granted 30-day extension by USADA

AUSTIN, Texas -- The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency Wednesday granted Lance Armstrong an extension of up to 30 days to contest drug charges while the seven-time Tour de France winner challenges the case in federal court.

The move erases the Saturday deadline for Armstrong to either send the case to arbitration or accept sanctions from USADA, which would likely include a lifetime ban from cycling and other sports along with stripping the Tour titles he won from 1999-2005.

Armstrong this week sued in U.S. District Court in Austin to block the case from moving forward, arguing that USADA's arbitration process violates his constitutional rights and that the agency doesn't have jurisdiction over the alleged doping violations.

Granted the extension, Armstrong attorney Tim Herman Wednesday withdrew a request for a temporary restraining order while Judge Sam Sparks reviews the complaint and a request for an injunction.

USADA accused Armstrong in June of performance-enhancing drug use throughout much of his career. Armstrong insists he is innocent and said he never failed a drug test.

Travis Tygart, USADA's chief executive, predicted Armstrong's lawsuit will be dismissed.

"USADA believes this lawsuit, like previous lawsuits aimed at concealing the truth, is without merit and is confident the court will continue to uphold the established rules which are compliant with federal law and were approved by athletes, the U.S. Olympic Committee, and all Olympic sports organizations," Tygart said in a statement.

Johan Bruyneel, the manager on Armstrong's winning teams, who also has been charged, faces a Saturday deadline to challenge the charges, Skinner said. Bruyneel, who manages the Radioshack-Nissan-Trek team, skipped this year's Tour de France because of the investigation.