Floyd Landis - two articles

[mimitabby]

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/08/sports/othersports/08landis.html

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/sports/AP-CYC-Landis-Leno.html


Landis Rekindles Attack on Doping Accusations
By JULIET MACUR

Floyd Landis set out on a vigorous public relations campaign yesterday to declare that he did not use performance-enhancing drugs to win the Tour de France.

Landis, the 30-year-old who last month became the third American to win the Tour, spoke to about a dozen television stations and newspapers in hopes of repairing his reputation after being accused of cheating.

“I’m having some bad days now, but I now have a new goal, and it’s to prove myself innocent and to figure out exactly what’s going on behind the scenes here,” he said on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” during an interview in which he appeared with his wife, Amber. He denied ever using performance-enhancing drugs.

Landis provided a urine sample after Stage 17 of the Tour, the day he catapulted himself from 11th place back into contention for the overall victory. That sample was divided into A and B samples. On July 27, the A sample came back positive for a high ratio of testosterone to epitestosterone, and also for synthetic testosterone. On Saturday, the International Cycling Union announced that the B sample confirmed the initial results.

Landis’s pleas of innocence have not protected him from the consequences of his test results. The Tour director, Christian Prudhomme, said Saturday that Landis was no longer considered champion of the event.


Leno Grills Landis on Flunked Drug Test
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Filed at 9:58 a.m. ET

BURBANK, Calif. (AP) -- By the time he taped his makeup appearance on the ''Tonight Show,'' Floyd Landis still had one theory left to float for his failed drug test.

Was it something he ate?

''Now there's also the possibility, and it's an argument that has been used by other people,'' Landis told host Jay Leno on Tuesday. ''At this point, I don't know if it's somehow or some way I ingested something that caused the tests to be that way.''

Leno didn't go easy on Landis, who canceled what was supposed to be a triumphant post-Tour de France appearance late last month because he was still in Europe following the news that he had tested positive for a high testosterone ratio during the race.

''I see you on these shows,'' Leno said, ''and I do want to believe you and evidence seems -- I don't know if it's overwhelming -- but it seems pretty conclusive, right?''

Landis said yes, if one goes by the tests, and Leno shot back, ''Why should we not go by the tests? Tell me why.''

Landis responded that there were several possibilities, saying, ''The tests and the people doing the tests would like you to believe that the only possibility is that I essentially took some drugs and that's why the test is that way.''

[latelatebloomer]

Mimitabby, I think you and I are the Floyd die-hards. I just had an overnight guest - an old friend who's a scientist AND a Mennonite AND knows someone who knew Floyd as a young man. She thinks he rides clean, too.

[mimitabby]

we;re not alone, latelate.
My husband is in our camp as well.

[Kalidurga]

Don't worry, latelate and mimi, I'm a Floyd die-hard, too, until I see proof to think otherwise. I won't say that I believe he's clean, because I don't know that. I won't say I think he's a cheat, because I don't know that either. But I rooted for Floyd all the way through the Tour and will continue to admire what I know of him while we all wait for this situation to be settled.

This is what kills me, though-- velonews.com: UCI won't give Ullrich's blood to Spanish police (http://www.velonews.com/race/int/articles/10678.0.html).


"The blood of the riders in our possession from doping controls is used for research purposes," UCI president Pat McQuaid said. "To give it for DNA comparisons is against our rules."
They sure threw that rulebook out the window when Floyd's "A" sample came back. The fact that the UCI pick and choose when to follow their own rules makes them a huge part of the entire doping problem and causes me to seriously doubt their integrity.

The teeny-tiny vindictive part of me that I try my darndest to hide from the world hopes that Floyd comes up with incontrovertible proof of his innocence and an explanation for the test results, and makes Pat McQuaid and the UCI publicly admit that they're fools. But my rational side thinks I shouldn't admit to that.

[Hub]

I think Phloyd rocks . . . .I still think he's been framed- unfortunately he's not a as cool, yet agressive with the media dawgs.

I tried to post on his web site--- send supportive comments--- but his site had been locked.


American Cyclists:
If at first you don't beat them, and after 20 years you're still not beating them, then mess with the regulations on their time trial bikes, tamper with their blood and urine samples, leak anonymous results to the New York Times, and declare them guilty of drug use before they have a chance to respond.

[RoadRaven]

Just adding my two cents in favour of Floyd

He hasn't been proven guilty - he has just been put in the insidious position of having to prove his innocence.

I wait with the other believers and hope he (and the lawyers and reliable scientists) come through for him.

I have trained several times on my spin bike to the now infamous stage which we DVD-d... its an awesome and inspiring ride

And even if it emerges that he did use testosterone in his training - it is still an awesome and inspiring ride - because to ride that hard for so long in that kind of stage takes alot of mind muscle... if you aren't thinking right, no ammount of testosterone will keep you focused and paced.

[greenmachine]

Here's a piece from David Whiting, a columnist for the OC Register:

http://tinyurl.co.uk/3421

I'm writing a letter to this ignorant a** regarding his slanderous statements about FL.

He can be reached at: 714-796-6869 or dwhiting@ocregister.com

[wannaduacentury]

I've put a lot of thought into this situation w/ Floyd and I've come to my own conclusion that he was framed as well. His record is clean and they've marred him for this 1 infraction on stage 17. Come on. I do think he needs to take the media stance that Lance does and fight very hard to clear his name. Even Lance said sue if you have to. I think it's too early for the tour organizers to strip him his title. I smell a rotting fish on this one. Just my thoughts. Just think, he won the Tour de California and Ga and that spring race clean. Now why would he jeopardise the tour?? Humm!

[caligurl]

As Floyd pointed out in one of the articles; how could he come up clean
in 6 tests previous and some afterwards if he was "Doping" with testosterone?
I've taken testosterone myself and it stays in your system for MORE than 24 hours.
It just doesn't make sense to me.

EXACTLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

another who is still in the floyd camp.....

[Evie]

If I won the Tour de France, I'd have high testosterone levels, too. The sheer manliness of my effort would send them through the roof. :rolleyes:

Seriously, though, just how high were his testosterone levels? I never heard. Did they rule out the medicine he was taking for his hip?

All of the technical stuff aside, why would anyone in their right mind use PEDs for a competition of that magnitude and publicity? That would be insane!

I really hope he can prove his innocence. We were so excited when he won, because he's as local as it gets--not to mention the hip situation. That was amazing.

[mimitabby]

Evie
how are the locals treating his family now? are things okay over there?

[FreshNewbie]

His testosteron was normal, its the Epistost,....whatever you name it was High, that's what said nobody mentioned in any of the articles. That's what pissing me off, is that they don't even know the facts but they start writing these stupid articles about him like they are science doctors ( I am talking about reporters).

[Tri Girl]

I'm still on Floyd's side. I just can't believe that this guy would jeapordize his ride in the TDF and his career for one day- a day when he KNEW they would test him if he won. I personally think they have somehow fudged the tests to their favor. Until I'm proven otherwise- it's innocent until proven guilty- not the other way around. I don't think those tests have proven anything.

GO FLOYD!!!

[sonicmolasses]

Definitely a Floyd supporter (and Lancaster native). Though it's getting really depressing to read the press on him of late (as I do several times a day-- I have to chill out). I really wish he hadn't gone on the weird media blitz he did because throwing out so many theories made him look silly. I wish he's just said, "I didn't do it, I don't understand it, we're going to figure it out." I hate watching the press bash him for the cortisone/Jack Daniels/thyroid/tampering theories.

[roshelleuop]

I am also on the Floyd wagon and will support him until the day he proves to everyone he is innocent. The other fishy item that I haven't seen on this thread yet is that the Tour organizers are "legally" bound to not leak any information regarding blood tests until re-tested and fully investigated.
:D :D :D :D
Within minutes of the 1st blood test, it was all over the media. There were stories, reports, questioning, etc. already occuring before the 2nd blood test came back so it makes me even more think that something fishy is going on.
:D :D :D :D
Roshelle from Milwaukee :p
http://wisconsinbetties.blogspot.com/

[Evie]

Mimitabby--As far as I can tell, almost everyone around here is on his family's side. No one who knows them/him thinks he could have done it. We go through his home town on the way to...just about everywhere, really, and there are "We Support Floyd!" signs at the firehall and all over peoples' cars. I don't know them personally, but I'm sure they have quite a network of supporters by now. :)

[mimitabby]

Here's a piece from David Whiting, a columnist for the OC Register:

http://tinyurl.co.uk/3421

I'm writing a letter to this ignorant a** regarding his slanderous statements about FL.

He can be reached at: 714-796-6869 or dwhiting@ocregister.com
I wrote to David Whiting;
here is his response!

dwhiting@ocregister.com
to me
More options 11:38 am (1 hour ago)
Thank you for yournote. And thanks for taking the time to read!
Perhaps I failed to thread this needle, being careful not to condemn Floyd
but rather mourn what many find a man they can no longer (at least for now)
look to for inspiration.
Hence the conditional and time-dated wording:
"But, Floyd, it looks like we shouldn’t try to emulate you. It appears that
it was only about winning. It seemss you like juice more than class, more
than fair play.
Floyd Landis says he’s innocent. But after a second urine sample came up
dirty on Saturday, it’s impossible right now to find inspiration in this
guy."
Regardless, of my success or failure, I do embrace your sentiments and
hope he is successful in clearing his name.
Thanks again, for keeping my on my toes!
David David Whiting
714-796-6869
Local News Editor / Outdoor Columnist
The Orange County Register

[RoadRaven]

See Floyd... we love ya!!!

You're our GEM... and we believe

[Kalidurga]

The latest issue of Spokes (a free newspaper for cycling in the mid-Atlantic region) has this on the cover: A photo of Floyd grabbing air back in his mtb days, with the headline "Promise Fullfilled". There are two articles about Floyd in the issue. One was originally printed in Spokes in March of 1996, and talks about the "uproar" surrounding a certain 20 yr old rider in the mid-Atlantic mtb scene. It talks about his racing history at the time and his upbringing, and contains some telling quotes:

'"Floyd is a completely different level of racer compared to any I've competed with," said Chris Newell, an expert from Reisterstown, MD... "If he doesn't win a race, it's because of an error he made - and he's learning from his mistakes and growing stronger. On the final at Mount Snow he descended twice as fast as the other pros."'

And this from Floyd himself, to finish the article: '"Tell all the Spokes readers to just give me a little time and I'll make all of my east coast fans proud because I will be the World Champion soon!"'

The second article was written just before the A & B test hoo-ha, though they mention the situation on the editor's page and express their hope that he'll continue to make Spokes readers proud. This article was written by one of Floyd's fellow mtb racers and is full of funny, amazing memories of Floyd's penchant for wheelies, how he'd train by riding 600 miles a week, and his great singing voice. It ends with a story of his first-ever race bonk. Apparently, before heading out on the final lap of a 24-hour team relay race, Floyd decided to energize himself with chocolate and Mountain Dew. When the bonk hit, it was so bad he couldn't even finish the race.

I got a lump in my throat thinking about what he's accomplished since then and what he's going through now. If the man was perceived as such a phenomenal racer at 20 yrs old, why on earth do people have so much trouble believing his incredible transition from Stage 16 to Stage 17 at this year's TdF?

[jpbayarea]

Hey Ladies,

Bravo to you all for being discriminating and not jumping off the cliff into the
abiss of those who just assume guilt because that second sample came
back tainted. Of course it did!!! I firmly believe he was framed and that in time the case which was so mishandled that he at least deserves an apology for that...will be thrown out. Unfortunately it doesn't really matter. Whoever framed him has effectively done with the objective must have been and ruined the post Tour opportunities that he deserved and won.

I'm proud to be a member of TE and to join with other loyal and discriminating women in remaining supportive and trusting of this man
who shows no sign of being either stupid enough or desperate enough to
risk everything by doping with a substance most know wouldn't have even
helped him with a one time dosing.

HANG IN THERE FLOYD!!!!

[greenmachine]

I wrote to David Whiting;
here is his response!

dwhiting@ocregister.com
to me
More options 11:38 am (1 hour ago)
Thank you for yournote. And thanks for taking the time to read! Perhaps I failed to thread this needle, being careful not to condemn Floyd but rather mourn what many find a man they can no longer (at least for now) look to for inspiration.
Hence the conditional and time-dated wording: "But, Floyd, it looks like we shouldn’t try to emulate you. It appears that it was only about winning. It seemss you like juice more than class, more than fair play.
Floyd Landis says he’s innocent. But after a second urine sample came up dirty on Saturday, it’s impossible right now to find inspiration in this guy."
Regardless, of my success or failure, I do embrace your sentiments and
hope he is successful in clearing his name.
Thanks again, for keeping my on my toes!
David David Whiting
714-796-6869
Local News Editor / Outdoor Columnist
The Orange County Register

OH, now this is interesting...this is the EXACT, Word For Word response I got this afternoon from the letter I wrote to him!! Sheesh!!