Floyd Landis - two articles

[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!!