The French Win In Landis Case
How is that for objective titling. The fact that Landis will not participate in any races in France during 2007 is not a loss in his doping case, however its a victory for the French that would like nothing better than to have a European win the Tour de France.
Apparently cyclists accused of doping fall under the purview of the doping agency of their country, in Floyd's case the U.S. A. However, the French national doping agency, ALFD, also filed the same charges in their country; essentially forcing Landis to defend himself in the same case twice at almost the same time. What a crock. Now because he promised to not race in France, ALFD has promised to drop its case. THEY DROPPED THEIR CASE.
This is not over by a long shot, Landis still must defend himself but now in a forum that at least on its face is better balanced.
Reading between the lines, I believe Landis knew he couldn't train for TdF and defend himself in court so he ditched one year of racing in France for a comeback greater than Stage 17, the defeat of the labs claims, the resurrection of his character and good name and his continued TdF title holding. So the French win a tactical victory in the papers but I do believe ultimately this French doping lab will be seen as a farce of objectivity and scientific principle. There are just too many claims and findings of impropriety in regards to maintaining samples.
Landis will be found guilty or innocent based on fact and reason. If found innocent of the charges this year I would love, LOVE, to see an American boycott of the Tour de France in 2008 like several countries did in 1980 Summer Olympics. How great would that be to see all that gorgeous American greenback from the sport and its tourist supporters going to all the other European races in Beligum, Italy, Spain, et al., and TdF 2008 being a bust year.
Apparently cyclists accused of doping fall under the purview of the doping agency of their country, in Floyd's case the U.S. A. However, the French national doping agency, ALFD, also filed the same charges in their country; essentially forcing Landis to defend himself in the same case twice at almost the same time. What a crock. Now because he promised to not race in France, ALFD has promised to drop its case. THEY DROPPED THEIR CASE.
This is not over by a long shot, Landis still must defend himself but now in a forum that at least on its face is better balanced.
Reading between the lines, I believe Landis knew he couldn't train for TdF and defend himself in court so he ditched one year of racing in France for a comeback greater than Stage 17, the defeat of the labs claims, the resurrection of his character and good name and his continued TdF title holding. So the French win a tactical victory in the papers but I do believe ultimately this French doping lab will be seen as a farce of objectivity and scientific principle. There are just too many claims and findings of impropriety in regards to maintaining samples.
Landis will be found guilty or innocent based on fact and reason. If found innocent of the charges this year I would love, LOVE, to see an American boycott of the Tour de France in 2008 like several countries did in 1980 Summer Olympics. How great would that be to see all that gorgeous American greenback from the sport and its tourist supporters going to all the other European races in Beligum, Italy, Spain, et al., and TdF 2008 being a bust year.
posted by Comm's @ 6:36 AM
5 comments
5 Comments:
I would not be surprised if there were some mass show of support this year by teams and cyclists. Its starting to look like 1998 all over again. Maybe history will repeat itself all over again.
1998: Ullrich considered quitting the tour, Riders' protest delays Tour de France
I think the 1980 Olympic boycott was a mistake, and a TdF boycott by US riders/teams would only make the French happy. I think the solution is to kick their @sses at their own game, as American-led teams have done for the last 8 years.
The sport does need to get sorted out from the highest levels, that's for sure, because all they're accomplishing is driving away sponsors and other supporters.
1) Don't much like the French. Been there, and really didn't like it much compared with the rest of europe. They don't much like us, so aside from the thousands of white crosses on thier soil (how'd they get there?), I could do without anything do to with France.
2) The sport of cycling is due an enema. The doping rules and the individual country's governing bodies are broken. It's kinda like watching body builders in a pose down - you know they've been juicing, but do you really care? That's what they do, and pro bikers, well, they do what they have to as well. I really don't know what the answer is - it's well above my pay grade.
3) There's got to other places on earth that can hold a tour that could eventually gain the prestige that the TdF has - maybe?
What baffles me is that the same lab that was found to have screwed the pooch with regards to testing Lance Armstrong is viewed as "holier than thou" in this case.
I can certainly accept that their having massive problems in the past doesn't necessarily mean they have the same problems, now. But when the exact same scenario is already playing itself out, it is insane to expect people to accept that the lab acted flawlessly.
I totally agree. And would love to see Landis found innocent and a huge boycott in response to that. The whole ordeal is ridiculous.
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