Sooo....Is Floyd Landis guilty of doping as has been maintained?

Question

Remember, Lance Armstrong was also accused of same, and the charges are not specific to any one country. Opinions?I know my inbox will be hammered with answers on this one.

Answer 1

I agree with a couple of guys here. The French labs haven't been doing the best job at this "testing". They wouldn't even allow the test to be conducted in the U.S. so in my opinion, THIS WHOLE THING STINKS. Paul Sherwin of the VS. channel also said that this is hurting, not helping the, credibility of the of the UCI, etc, etc. He has a degree in chemistry and even he (Paul) says that this is making the Tour organizers look real bad.

Answer 2

Most of us will never know the true answer. Some facts we do know include the fact that none of his A samples tested positive during the Tour, including the samples the day prior to and following the impressive mountain stage victory. However, he was drinking water like a camel that day. Some would maintain that was in effort to flush the substance from his system.

Plus, why were the results of the B sample not available immediately? Why wait until after the completion of the Tour to make them public? Why test the B sample if the A was clean? Who monitored to exact location and handling of that B sample?

The sport has it's share of doping problems. But this case has so many flaws. Unfortunately for Floyd, he is guilty until proven innocent. He could be the victim of a conspiracy. He could have been unfortunate enough to get caught. It's frustrating because we'll likely never know.

Answer 3

clearly doping is rampant in the tour. How do you as a human compeat with 100's of others who are doping? It just doesn't add up. The better the testing protocols get the better more effective ways team doctors will find to hide it, and as long as an American wins you can bet there will be scandal. Guilty or innocent? Most likely guilty, how do you win without it when everyone else is using? In the next few years you will see a crack down but to what end?

Answer 4

I agree with cyclefan58s assesment. To make matters worse, the french lab is at it again. They did a retest this past week, refused Landis' representation to monitor the test, then leaked the result to L'Equippe _before_ they were analyzed and accepted by the UCI, WADA, and USADA.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2007/apr07/apr24news

Whether landis is guilty or not, the LNDD consistently pollutes accepted testing protocols with political motivation.

Answer 5

I think he is clean. It was the "B" sample that tested positive after the "A" samples tested negative. (Which in and of itself, brings into question the credibility of these tests at all). I thought the "B" samples needn't be tested after the "A" sample came back negative. The same French lab doing the re-test is only trying to confirm their earlier results. An independent lab should have done these tests. Remember, the French lab previously admitted to a "clerical error" in labeling Floyd's samples. If they admitted to that, who knows what else could have happened.

Answer 6

I'm not sure. But knowing many people involved in the sport, it would not surprise me one bit.