Is Landis Guilty of Doping?

The latest news is that “Sample B” has been considered by the testing firm to show illegal levels of testosterone. But as ESPN’s interview with John Eustice shows, there are too many problems for someone to know for certain that Landis is guilty. They are:

  • Even though this testing process is an interpretive test, 11:1 rating is far higher than is routinely found.
  • Eight other tests during this year’s Tour didn’t show these levels.
  • Dozens of other tests throughout the cycling season that didn’t show these levels.
  • Landis has no prior history of doping.
  • If Landis wanted to take something illegal to help himself mid-way through the race, testosterone would be the drug of choice.
  • Cycling is huge in Europe and it’s not unthinkable for opponents of America didn’t want another American victor right after Lance Armstrong’s run of wins.

Now, this doesn’t necessarily mean Landis is innocent either, but something is strange about this case. We may never know the truth.

Update: Follow the whole thing on the Tour De France blog and Free Floyd Landis.

Update 2: Landis says that UCI/WADA have an ‘agenda’.

Update 3: “I can prove to you and will demonstrate to you that the people at the laboratory are not objective about this. I have evidence to indicate they have the names of the riders connected to the numbers.”

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