Bicycle .net :: Floyd Landis - Love him or hate him

Floyd Landis - Love him or hate him - he speaks here

By VeloGuy on November 26th, 2007

Everyone has an opinion on Floyd Landis and his doping case. Some will never believe that he doped, and some will never believe that he did not dope, but very few do not have an opinion. This audio interview with Floyd Landis is not meant to change your mind, or convince you of any one of the facts of the doping case. It is to let you hear what Floyd Landis has to say in his own words. He came to a LA TriClub meeting to answer questions from the club members that attended. I must say that I was impressed with what I believed to be his truly open and warm personality. He tried to give everyone who had a question the time the answer deserved.

I think that what we all need to keep in mind is that the Landis case is about a system. It is now about more than one rider fighting a doping suspension (and removal of the 2006 Tour de France yellow jersey). It is about the whole doping culture and the fair and honest way to prosecute the offenders without bringing down the innocent. I am certain that we can all agree that the system needs changing, and in major ways. I for one was glued to the Landis arbitration hearing, learning about how bad the system really is.

Here is a personal situation that I had that really brought the Landis case to life for me. A few weeks ago I had my annual physical, in which they took a blood test. My blood came back perfect except that my liver function was why out of whack. They told me that the only explanation was that I was either taking drugs (which I do not) or drinking massive amounts of booze (I like beer but not that much). My doctor knows that neither would be true so he ran a second test on the original blood sample, to the same results (huh). I went back to my doctor one week later had another blood draw. Had my liver function tested, to have it come back as normal. My only point here is this; what if my employer sent me to take the blood test, and it came back with the positive (liver function test). What if they did not give me the second test! I would be sitting on a two year suspension from my job. Does not seem fair does it?

I can not say whether Floyd Landis is guilty or innocent. Only Landis knows for sure, but I welcome the appeal in the hopes that the system is made better for all riders.

I look forward to your comments on this subject.

Floyd Landis with Bicycle.net’s JT
AUDIO HERE

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