MADRID (AP) - Five-time Tour de France champion Miguel Indurain says he believes in Lance Armstrong's innocence after the American cyclist was stripped of his seven titles from the race.

The decision to strip Armstrong and ban him for life for doping leaves Indurain among four riders with a record five titles.

Indurain told Radio Marca that the entire case was "bizarre" since Armstong never tested positive for doping. Indurain says "it is strange they take away his tours because of the testimonies of some teammates."

The Spanish cyclist says he expects Armstrong to challenge the governing body's decision, which it is based on a U.S. Anti-Doping Agency report that included testimony from 26 individuals.

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