Posted on 08/03/2006 12:58:31 PM PDT by Vision
CHATENAY-MALABRY, France
Testing began Thursday on Tour de France winner Floyd Landis' backup doping sample, and one of his lawyers reiterated he expects it, too, will show elevated testosterone levels.
However, Landis is "certain he hasn't ingested any prohibited substance," said lawyer Jose Maria Buxeda. "He knows there is a natural explanation to the (initial) finding.
"He's pretty sure we will be able to prove, if this result is confirmed, that it is due to natural causes, to a natural reaction of his body, either (normally) or in the circumstances he was in that particular stage."
The result of the "B" sample test will not be available before Saturday, Buxeda told The Associated Press outside the French lab conducting the analysis.
But the process of determining whether the American cyclist is guilty of doping or whether his body naturally produced the higher than normal testosterone levels could take six months to a year, the Spanish attorney said.
Buxeda and another lawyer, Luis Sanz, were present for the start of the testing. Landis was in the United States.
"The reason why Mr. Sanz and myself said that probably the result is going to be the same is because statistically the results of the `B' sample usually _ not always _ but usually confirm the results of the `A' sample," said Buxeda, speaking in English.
Landis showed a testosterone imbalance in an initial urine sample taken during the Tour de France. Both "A" and "B" samples were provided July 20 after he sped his way back into contention after winning the tough Stage 17 of the three-week Tour.
Michael Henson, a spokesman for Landis, confirmed Tuesday that the July 20 urine test turned up an 11:1 testosterone/epitestosterone ratio _ far above the 4:1 limit allowed.
He acknowledged Wednesday that a carbon isotope ratio test, which detects synthetic testosterone, had been done on the "A" sample. He would not divulge the result, but the New York Times has reported that Landis' personal doctor, Brent Kay, confirmed the sample tested positive for synthetic testosterone.
On Thursday, Buxeda contended that even lab results that show the banned substance was synthetic, introduced from an outside source, would only be a "presumption" _ not a certainty
"I wouldn't say that they (lab experts) know," Buxeda said. "I would say they can presume. They do not have the certainty. ... It is only a presumption."
David Cowan, director of the Drug Control Center at King's College in London, said the carbon isotope ratio test "is the most definitive measure we have at this time."
"If there is a synthetic found (in the sample) than any defense is difficult to prove," he said.
Buxeda suggested Landis' positive result could have been produced by a combination of "dehydration, maximum effort. It's been said alcohol."
"We have to study all these factors," he said, referring to Landis' comments that he and teammates drank beer and whiskey after stage 16.
Landis has said he would undergo further tests to prove his body's natural metabolism _ not doping _ caused the elevated result.
If the "B" sample is positive, the results will be sent to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, which would handle the case. If found guilty, Landis would be stripped of the Tour de France title and banned for two years.
"The process could be six, eight months till one year," said Buxeda, who represented Spanish cyclist Roberto Heras when he was suspended for two years after testing positive for EPO.
"Of course, if it doesn't confirm the `A; sample, the case is closed," Buxeda said. Under UCI rules, a negative `B' sample is accepted as the definitive response and the positive `A' sample is ignored.
He's FOS. 10X the normal levels. Synthetic. Strip him. Next.
Landis should have requested that a 'neutral' lab do the test.
The French have nothing to gain by having their little game tainted.
The cool thing to do would be to have a race where any "drugging" goes, as long as the bike is being pedaled, who really would care?
It would just be something else to bet on, like boxing or chicken fights.
floyd, its time to stfu and go away. your many excuses are tiring, if you cant master the "medical" side of things like lance did you dont deserve the success he had either.
Stick a fork in him. He's done. Nobody makes synthetic testosterone in their bodies. Cannot be explained away.
As a French, I really hope that he's not guilty of doping, or it will be catastrophic for the Tour de France. It's a great competition, a great show, deeply rooted in french culture. In opposition to all the rubbish I can read sometimes here about a supposed plot against Floyd Landis because he's American, I can tell you that nobody has anything to win in this affair. Nor the sport, nor France, nor Landis and nor the Tour de France which is a private competition, organised by Amaury Sport Organisation, a compagny which belongs to the French press group E.P.A (Philippe Amaury Publications). A group who gonna lose a lot of money if Landis is guilty. For instance, the german TV channel ZDF is already planning to not retransmit the 2007 Tour de France...
What's the point. Everyone will dispute the results anyway.
Nope. That would violate protocol and automatically out him as per the UCI rules. Odds are that the B will show high level of estrogen and the Cheese Eatin' Surrender Monkies will bitch about that.
"Can anyone explain why a SANE person would take synthetic testosterone, knowing they test for it?"
That would go for any sportsman taking any drug that is tested for.
However, history shows that many of them do exactly that.
LOL Should MLB players do the same?
Ridiculous. Look at post #8
Good sensible post!
I agree completely.
I too hope Landis is not guilty, even though a lot of damage has already been done.
For all that love the Tour, this has been the a huge disaster.
And Republicain,
Thanks for a lot of interesting posts around the forum in general.
Cheers,
Euro.
It makes no sense. Synthetic testosterone does not enhance performance over the short term - it only helps with muscle development over the long term. So why would he do it? Why might some frog spike the beer he drank after the race before he produced his sample?
Testosterone isn't delivered to the body that way. Either it is injected or rubbed on as a gel.
Athletes do not get
the same education that
"normal" people get.
Match a stunted brain
to a hormonal system
freaked from doping, then
you get a young man
who makes decisions that don't
stand much scrutiny.
That's the way it used to be, but too many amped up riders were keeling over dead in the middle of races.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.