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Landis making headlines with doping allegations

Gene Bisbee — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 11:01:32 -0700

Disgraced pro cyclist Floyd Landis is making some bombshell disclosures regarding doping in the peloton, especially during his time with the US Postal Service team.

Landis rode alongside Lance Armstrong on that team for several years. During this year's Tour of California, Landis disclosed that the use of performance-enhancing drugs and illegal techniques were prevalent during that time. Landis is reiterating those assertions in "Blood Brothers," a Wall Street Journal article published Saturday, the first day of the 2010 Tour de France.

Armstrong says the WSJ article is "full of false accusations" at LanceArmstrong.com.

Among the latest allegations ....

Lance Armstrong again target of doping accusations:
This time Floyd Landis makes allegations

Gene Bisbee — Thu, 20 May 2010 08:26:47 -0700

[Updates with reaction from Armstrong, Hincapie and WADA]

In a series of e-mails written to cycling officials and sponsors disclosed by the Wall Street Journal and ESPN.com, Floyd Landis admits to doping to enhance his performance during his cycling career.

More explosive, however, are his assertions that Lance Armstrong, Levi Leipheimer, George Hincapie and David Zabriskie all participated in various forms of doping while they were together at the U.S. Postal Service cycling team.

Armstrong immediately rejected the accusations, but the World Anti-Doping Agency says it will investigate the charges.

Armstrong reacted before the beginning of Stage 5 of the Tour of California, with team manager Johann Bruyneel at his side:

"It's our word against his word. I like our word. We like our credibility. We have nothing to hide. Nothing to run from." ...

French judge issues warrant for Floyd Landis in hacking case;
Landis responds

Gene Bisbee — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 12:31:02 -0800

Here we go again.

The head of France's anti-doping agency says that a French judge has issued an international arrest warrant for Floyd Landis in a computer hacking case at the Chatenay-Malabry laboratory.

That's the lab that found elevated levels of testosterone in Landis's samples during the 2006 Tour de France and eventually led to his two-year banishment from professional cycling.

Landis is not being accused of hacking into the computers at the lab, according to what I've read. The judge, Thomas Cassuto, does want to question Landis about how the allegedly hacked files ended up being used in his defense, though ...

Bike quote: Floyd Landis's chances of returning to Tour de France

Gene Bisbee — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 09:03:30 -0800

"I don't think it's a possibility next year, or ever, for that matter. ... I can't foresee what the politics in cycling will possibly lead to but the organisations in control are not working well together. There are people caught in the crossfire and I happen to be one of them, so I don't know if the opportunity will come up again. I would like to. But it's very sensitive.

"I would need a team to invite me and they would have to be willing to take the risk that they wouldn't be used as some sort of... The UCI and Tour de France don't get on well at the moment and they like to use whatever they can, whatever pawns are in the middle, to try to make a point. Most teams are afraid of giving them any reason to make them the pawn."

-- Floyd Landis, the disgraced 2006 Tour de France champion discussing his chances of returning to race the Tour de France ...

Floyd Landis returns to cycling with OUCH

Gene Bisbee — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 13:05:50 -0700

That's not OUCH as in "owee." That's OUCH as in Occupational Urgent Care and Health Sports Medical Center of Temecula, California.

OUCH is the new primary sponsor of the former HealthNet-Maxxis cycling team. One of its first actions is to hire cyclist Floyd Landis when he becomes eligible to compete on Jan. 30, 2009.

Landis, 33, is currently serving a two-year suspension for doping during the 2006 Tour de France after a contentious and unsuccessful battle for more than a year to clear his name ....

Report says Floyd Landis to Health Net-Maxxis cycling team

Gene Bisbee — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 09:31:12 -0700

The day after Lance Armstrong confirmed he's returning to professional cycling, here's news that Floyd Landis will ride his bicycle for the team currently sponsored by HealthNet - Maxxis.

Landis has been serving a two-year suspension for doping at the 2006 Tour de France. His lost his final appeal earlier this year.

CyclingNews reports that when Landis returns in January 2009, he'll join the team run by the Momentum Sports Group that's known by its sponsor, HealthNet-Maxxis. .....

Floyd Landis loses appeal

Gene Bisbee — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 08:15:33 -0700

The Court of Arbitration for Sport announced this morning that it has rejected Floyd Landis's appeal of the doping case raised after the 2006 Tour de France.

The decision by the Switzerland-based board means that earlier rulings against Landis stand. The 32-year-old American cyclist had previously lost his championship for the 2006 Tour de France and had been banned from professional cycling for two years, beginning Jan. 30, 2007.

The CAS also ruled that Landis must pay the US Anti-Doping Agency $100,000 for the costs it incurred in fighting the latest Landis appeal...

Long weekend for Floyd Landis

Gene Bisbee — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 09:31:45 -0700

The Court of Arbitration for Sport says it will announce its verdict in the Floyd Landis doping case at 11 a.m. (EST) Monday.

For nearly the past two years, the 32-year-old cyclist has been fighting accusations that he used testosterone to boost his performance during the 2006 Tour de France.

Along the way, he has been fired from his team, stripped of this 2006 Tour de France championship and been banned from professional cycling until Jan. 29, 2009. Now, he must wait three more days to learn whether those decisions will stand ...

Floyd Landis makes bid for vindication; 10 highlights

Gene Bisbee — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 08:06:14 -0700

Ten months ago, I wrote the headline "Floyd Landis doping case begins today."

Well, it's deja vu all over again. The Floyd Landis doping case begins again today, only it's in front of the Court of Arbitration for Sport and it's behind closed doors.

Although it's an appeal of the 2-1 split decision in the original case heard last spring, the Court will hear the evidence as if it's a new case. Those who study this case say both sides will probably make presentations similar to last time.

The hearing will last about five days, then Landis goes back to waiting again for a decision. If it goes against him, he can't compete until his two-year suspension is lifted in January 30, 2009. If it goes in his favor, he can compete as soon as he lands a team and gets back in shape for racing.

One of the best places to find out about the case is at the Truth But Verify blog. Landis has been Topic No. 1 there since the site was created shortly after the 2006 Tour de France. Check out the "Eve of appeal Q and A" for answers to frequently asked questions.

Personally, as I'm often willing to give someone the benefit of the doubt, this case has had more ups and downs than 200 miles of stage racing through the Pyrenees.

Here are some highlights of the case so far paired with my ever-shifting personal opinion at the time ...

3 who probably won't compete in 2008; 1 who will

Gene Bisbee — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 12:18:19 -0800

Several big names in recent cycling lore probably won't be competing in 2008 because of continued appeals of doping allegations or retirement after facing suspensions. There is, however, a surprise return engagement. Let me wrap up some highlights:

Floyd Landis, who was banned from pro cycling until January 2009, is appealing that decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The Switzerland-based panel is the last stop for the American bicycle racer, whose troubles started in August 2006, soon after the conclusion of the Tour de France.

A hearing lasting up to five days with CAS is tentatively scheduled for March 19 in New York City. Unlike his USADA appeal, it will not be open to the public