Police question rider in Armstrong dispute

ROME (AP) -- An Italian cyclist who says he was "threatened" by six-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong during the race was questioned by police about the episode, which might be linked to a feud between the riders.

Filippo Simeoni was questioned Tuesday in Rome about the July 23 stage, during which he was chased down by Armstrong, a move apparently related to a dispute about Simeoni's testimony about drug use in cycling, Col. Stefano Ortolani of the paramilitary Carabiniere NAS anti-doping squad said Wednesday.

Last Friday, when Simeoni moved ahead to try for victory on a stage that would not have impacted the overall standings, Armstrong chased him down and herded him back to the main pack.

The sports daily Gazzetta dello Sport quoted Simeoni after he left police questioning as saying "He prevented me from continuing the breakaway and afterward he threatened me."

Armstrong's agent, Bill Stapleton, had no comment Wednesday, a spokeswoman said.

Simeoni, of the Domina Vacanze squad, has testified against controversial sports doctor Michele Ferrari, with whom Armstrong has ties. Ferrari faces allegations of providing performance enhancers to riders.

Simeoni told an Italian court in 2002 that Ferrari advised him to take performance-enhancing drugs. Later, Armstrong reportedly called Simeoni a liar, and the Italian now says he is suing the Texan for libel.

Ortolani declined to give details about Tuesday's questioning.

Simeoni was quoted by Gazzetta as saying that while he rode with Armstrong, the Texan said, "You made a mistake to speak against Ferrari, and you made a mistake to take legal action against me. I have money and time and lots of lawyers. I can destroy you."

The Gazzetta report, which Ortolani described as accurate, said Italian investigators could open proceedings against Armstrong for sporting fraud, violence, and intimidation of a witness.