The International Cycling Union has appointed a Dutch lawyer to conduct an independent investigation into allegations that Lance Armstrong tested positive for EPO during the 1999 Tour de France.

The cycling body said Thursday that Emile Vrijman and his law firm would "undertake a comprehensive investigation regarding all issues concerning the testing conducted by the French laboratory of urine samples" from the '99 Tour.

Vrijman's firm, Lamsma Veldstra & Lobe, is based in Rotterdam, Netherlands. He is a former director of the Netherlands' national anti-doping agency.

In August, the French sports daily L'Equipe published evidence allegedly showing that six of Armstrong's urine samples from 1999 came back positive for the endurance-boosting hormone EPO when they were retested last year.

The seven-time Tour de France champion denied ever using banned drugs and said he was the victim of a "witch hunt."

UCI said Thursday the World Anti-Doping Agency had notified the federation of plans to open its own investigation.

"The UCI is concerned that such an investigation from WADA as an involved party would be based on aspects out of its competencies," the cycling body said.

"The UCI's decision to appoint an independent investigator is supported by numerous authorities, both in sports, as well as in anti-doping," it added. "The UCI expects all relevant parties to fully cooperate with the investigation."

The leaders of WADA and UCI have been engaged in a bitter feud over the case.

Last month, WADA chief Dick Pound accused former UCI president Hein Verbruggen of leaking documents about the alleged positive tests to L'Equipe. He also questioned UCI's willingness to fully investigate the allegations.

UCI denied Pound's accusations and claimed he was blocking its investigation by withholding information.

Cycling did not test for EPO until 2001. Backup "B" samples from 1999 were frozen and tested for EPO last year. Any sanctions are unlikely because the original "A" samples were used up and can't be verified for confirmation.

Source: Xinhua