Leffingwell disappointed that Lance misled him

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Mayor Lee Leffingwell, who staunchly stood by Lance Armstrong as allegation of doping mounted against the cyclist last year, finally acknowledged Friday that his trust had been betrayed.

“I am disappointed that Lance misled me and so many others in the Austin community and beyond," the mayor said in a statement. "However, my goal is to focus on the overwhelming good created by the Livestrong Foundation and I will always be grateful to him for starting the organization that continues to serve the millions of people around the globe fighting cancer.”

The remarks came the day after Armstrong's interview with Oprah Winfrey was aired in which he acknowledged using performance-enhancing substances banned by his sport.

As recently as August when the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency formally stripped Armstrong of his seven Tour de France victories, Leffingwell came to the defense of the sometime Austinite. Earlier last year, Amstrong endorsed Leffingwell's re-election as mayor.

"I am proud of my friendship with Lance Armstrong," Leffingwell said at the time. "Lance is not only a friend to me, but also a friend to Austin, and a friend and hero to millions of cancer survivors and their families around the globe. His incredible generosity of spirit has been and remains an inspiration to me and countless others, and can never be taken away.

"I'll ride bikes with Lance Armstrong any day."