Armstrong attorney: Lance gets 30-day extension

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Lance Armstrong's attorney says the United States Anti-Doping Agency has granted Armstrong a 30-day extension to answer doping 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 sport and stripping the Tour de France titles he won from 1999-2005.

Armstrong attorney Tim Herman says he has withdrawn a request for U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks to issue temporary restraining order in the case.

A USADA spokeswoman had no immediate comment.

USADA has accused Armstrong of doping during much of his career. Armstrong insists he is innocent and says he never failed a drug test.