Not all beaches, just the ones along the Seine River in the north.
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.
Every winner of a stage is systematically tested. Maybe Landis didn't expected to win the 17th stage...
Yes, we fight the same ennemy, especially in Europe. But it seems that a lot of Freepers consider that Europe is already lost and is already part of the Axe of Evil against USA. That terrible nonsense is more irritating to me than the inevitable insults.
Regards
And what is the problem ?
We've had 8 straight American winners in the TDF.
Please don't rub it in :-)
off course the situation does not look good.
Was that ever a reason to quit?
No. Hell, no!!
That is a reason to fight even harder.
I'll go sprinkle some water over my head straight away :-)
Cheers.
If it makes you feel any better, it looks like this year may go to Spain.
You know.
They have done reseach on (Norwegian native - I HATE THAT TERM) youngsters going to school in muslim dominated areas, and how they have adapted.
Blond girls (Hey this is Scandinavia) are coloring their heir dark, covering up, stopping drinking alcohol etc etc.
Is it bad?
I don't know.
Is it scary?
Heck, yeah.
There was just a story today in a Norwegian paper about how the Italians had opened a Muslim beach section.
It doesn't.
I want Floyd Landis to win.
I was just kidding.
Most of those spitting fans were apparently Germans who had been up on Alpe d"Huez for days getting drunk before Armstrong rode by, beating the pants off their boy Ullrich for the nth time running.
I saw a French cycling magazine at my local newsstand the other day, clearly published the day between Landis' victory and the scandal breaking (as were a whole bunch of others), but the title, as best I can understand French, was "A victor with a human face." The truth is that the French like Landis because he had to fight to win the race, making that amazing comeback. They never warmed to Armstrong because he was so dominant that the races were boring.
Only on the fake beach in the middle of Paris. Real beaches are as they ever were.
Do you mean that France is losing his mind because topless and bikinis are forbidden on Paris artificial beaches ?! If you think so, go to the Riviera or to Cap d'Agde nudist beaches and you'll perfectly see that France is still France :-))
That's what I believe. They were so pissed at Armstrong beating the constant doping allegations that they decided to fixed it for good, especially after ANOTHER American won. It was exploding head time.
I hope it's not a sign of things to come.
Just for the record, I have no interest in going to a nude beach /goofy grin
But you can see here that "Muslim only" initiatives are not always succesfull :
Theme park calls off "Muslim Fun Day"
LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's biggest theme park has called off the country's first "National Muslim Fun Day" because of lack of interest, the park said Wednesday. Alton Towers in central England was to open on September 17 for Muslims -- with halal food, a strict dress code and prayer areas.
Music, gambling and alcohol were to be banned for the day and theme park rides such as "Ripsaw," "Corkscrew" and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" all segregated by sex. But the park said the event's organizers, Islamic Leisure, who rented the park for the day and were marketing the event, had called it off due to "insufficient ticket sales."
"Alton Towers is disappointed that the planned Family Fun Day Sunday 17th September has had to be canceled," the park said in a statement. A park spokeswoman said Islamic Leisure would refund those who bought tickets. Islamic Leisure's phones were not being answered on Wednesday.
Organizers had hoped to fill a niche for Britain's 1.7 million Muslims, some of whom may be uncomfortable with mainstream entertainment. But the fun day had caused some consternation: a non-Muslim couple scheduled to hold their wedding at the park's hotel complained to newspapers that event organizers told them the bride and female guests would have to cover up. The park promised the party would be exempt from the rules. A park spokeswoman said the wedding would take place as planned.
Not all beaches, just the ones along the Seine River in the north.
Thanks for the ping... I'll alert the TdF list.
Please FReepmail me if you want on or off my Tour de France 2006 list.
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