Floyd?

[1yellowtire]

Anyone want to comment on the news from Floyd?

velonews.competitor.com/2010/05/news/wsj-and-espn-landis-admits-doping-alleges-use-by-armstrong-others_117407

I seem to remember that back in 2006 we had a long discussion about whether he was guilty or not--especially after the book.

[Scott Baker]

Here is a more thorough write-up:

sports.espn.go.com/oly/cycling/news/story?id=5203604

Disappointing, but not shocking. He was one of the few I believed was playing fair. It is minutia, but even after the admission he still contends they blew it with the TdF evidence against him. His book should have been titled "Not Guilty (of that)". I actually respect him for coming clean, regardless of the motivation. It is impossible to undo all the damage, but at least he (hopefully) is telling the truth this time. I could really care less now though about him or any of the top athletes.

[Vespa]

In my opinion, his lies are a much greater transgression than his doping. If I'd given money toward his defense, I'd be pushing for a fraud conviction.

Rules and due process having been imposed and followed, I guess he didn't win the TDF. If I could change things though, being convicted of performance-enhancing drugs wouldn't have an impact on eligibility to race or the legitimacy of any results. Instead of banning the drugs, let's just mandate full disclosure while insisting on medical oversight for their use. I'm no purist -- the racing would be much more exciting.

[benjir]

Floyd Landis sets a new standard for cheating, lying, deception and unprofessional behavior for ALL athletes. The most contemptible athletes can only dream that they can one day sink to the depths of depravity that good old Floyd reached! He cheats to win, gets caught, lies repeatedly for YEARS, has the stones to solicit money from fans for his lying defense, then finally admits cheating/lying, but then has to throw others under the PED bus on his way out! What a stand up, morally principled guy! As a man, he is a despicable, lying coward.

[mvi]

A great piece by Adam Myerson on this:
www.cycle-smart.com/blog/2010/05/20/pretty-boy-floyd

[YellowLemondTed]

I'm curious of what the final straw was that broke this camel's back. After 4 years, a book declaring innocence and reason why the test was a false positive, raising money for defense from people who you actually convinced, and just saying "I don't know what you are talking about". I mean, seriously, he dug and dug and dug his hole, so why after digging so deep do you decide to jump out now and not earlier? C'mon Floyd. I even got your autograph because I supported you in 07 at the tour of georgia, even after uci started talking about your win being tainted.

"This is a man that's been under oath several times and had a very different version," Armstrong said. "This is a man that wrote a book for profit that had a completely different version. This is somebody that took, some would say, close to $1 million from innocent people for his defense under a different premise. Now when it's all run out, the story changes." ~from ESPN.com

International Cycling Union (UCI) president Pat McQuaid said Landis' allegations were "scandalous and mischievous." ~ESPN.com

[YellowLemondTed]

Upon further reading of related articles, it seems Floyd's accusations have some misaligned "facts". One that I thought was rather interesting, and notable, is that Landis recalls Armstrong using EPO during the 2002 Tour de Suisse. The only problem with this accusation is that Armstrong did not participate in the 2002 race. He raced, and won the 2001 TdS, but was not part of the 2002 edition.

Also, reading about the emails sent by Dr. Brent Kay, the primary sponsor of the OUCH-Bahati cycling team, along side Landis' claims seem almost scripted. Begging Armstrong to give Floyd a spot on the radioshack team so he doesn't have to release these accusations to the public and damage the sport. Kay also mentioned in another email that "being involved in Landis' cycling disputes is "killing [Kay's] family." He suggests that Landis and Armstrong negotiate a deal for Landis to ride with RadioShack." ~ESPN.com

These bits and pieces seem very odd to me, like a poorly orchestrated attempt at blackmailing one last attempt to continue Landis' cycling career at the top level of the sport after he has drained his bank account, and the estimated million dollars he raised from donations from his fans and supporters who he had convinced of his innocence.

[YellowLemondTed]

So further more, this accusation has queued investigation into the claims by national bodies. Because the accusations date back to the days of USPS, the US government considers the case possible conspiracy and fraud. This whole storm is getting even bigger.

velonews.competitor.com/2010/05/news/report-federal-investigation-of-landis-claims-in-the-works_118729