Ahead of Oprah Winfrey interviewing Lance Armstrong: the ten questions for him to answer

Few drugs scandals have rocked sport like that of the former Tour de France winner. What might an interview on 18 January reveal, our resident cycling nut asks

Lance Armstrong (AFP)

Lance Armstrong is breaking his silence in a 90-minute interview with Oprah Winfrey to be broadcast a 2am UK time on 18 January. Will you be watching? I will, and below are ten questions I’ll be waiting for Oprah to ask and Armstrong to answer. Will he confess and face the legal consequences while standing a chance of redemption and the chance to race again? Will she go for him? I won’t hold my breath.

1. Did you routinely dope during your career as a professional cyclist and instruct and encourage others to do the same?

2. Did you instruct your lawyers to sue anyone who accused you of doping?

3. Did you attempt to defame or question the characters of people who talked about doping in cycling?

4. Did you organise or condone the effective ejection from cycling of Christophe Bassons, the cyclist who refused to dope?

5. Have you ever paid money to cycling or anti-doping authorities? If so, why?

6. Did you accept money from sponsors while denying that you were doping?

7. Did you accept money from fundraisers, including fellow cancer survivors, while denying that you were doping?

8. Many of these people still support you, regardless of any doping. How do you feel about those who don’t?

9. How did you explain this lying to your family, or did you lie to them, too?

10. Do you have any regrets?