Lance Armstrong trying to get lifetime cycling ban lifted, reports say

Lance Armstrong appears to be working behind the scenes to get his lifetime ban from cycling and other sports reduced.

The disgraced rider met with officials from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency last week, according to reports by the New York Times and Associated Press.

The talks followed a recent independent report that documented years of doping among top cyclists. While finding that the international cycling federation had aided Armstrong in cheating, the report also noted that he received a much heavier penalty than other riders.

After acknowledging a history of doping in 2012, Armstrong was not only banned but also stripped of his record seven Tour de France titles.

Details of his meeting with USADA officials were not made public.

Unlike some riders, Armstrong initially refused to cooperate with officials investigating doping in the sport. Though he later confessed, USADA has said that if the cyclist wanted to have his ban in cycling, triathlon and other sports reduced, he would have to meet with the agency.