Floyd Landis - two articles

[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.

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.

Roshelle from Milwaukee
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.

[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!!!!