Lance Armstrong doping trial looms

The record-breaking seven-times Tour de France winner has been under federal investigation since last spring.

It is now believed a grand jury will decide whether or not to issue an indictment within the next few weeks.

Armstrong has been the subject of investigation since his former team-mate and disgraced Tour de France winner Floyd Landis came clean last May about his use of performance-enhancing drugs.

Among the allegations made by Landis were that he was given the blood booster EPO and testosterone patches directly by Armstrong.

He also claims in the 2004 Tour de France, the team bus driver faked engine trouble so the entire squad could undergo blood transfusions on board, without fear of being watched.

While Armstrong has faced and vociferously denied doping allegations throughout his career, it is the first time he has come under the scrutiny of the federal authorities.

Their involvement is due to the fact that Landis' claims relate to a time when both riders were members of the US Postal Team, meaning they were effectively government employees.

Armstrong strongly denies all allegations against him.

Key to the case will be determining whether federal funds were used to purchase performance enhancing drugs for the team, thereby defrauding the US government.