Intro:

According to authorities in Aspen, Colorado, former cyclist Lance Armstrong hit two parked cars with his SUV after a night of partying but agreed to let his girlfriend take the blame to avoid national attention.

Script:

Cyclist Lance Armstrong hit two parked cars after a night of partying in Aspen but agreed to let his long-time girlfriend take the blame to avoid national attention, police reports show.

Aspen police cited Armstrong with failing to report an accident and speeding weeks after the December 28 accident, but only after his girlfriend, Anna Hansen, admitted to lying for him.

Armstrong declined immediate comment, and his attorney, Pamela Mackey, didn't immediately return a call.

Hansen initially told police she had been driving home from an Aspen Art Museum party when she lost control and hit the cars.

She said she drove because "Lance had a little bit to drink," according to the reports.

A man who had been renting one of the damaged cars told a police detective that Hansen came running up to his house in high heels, apologising and promising to pay for the repairs.

He called 911 to report a hit-and-run.

Hansen and Armstrong left the scene before police arrived.

Detectives later interviewed Hansen, who eventually told them Armstrong was driving, but they had both decided to let her take the blame.

Hansen is not charged with a crime.