[Republicain]

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...

[Eurotwit]

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.

[Zack Nguyen]

I respect the Tour for actually busting the winner. That would never happen in a lot of cases. I've read about positive tests in track that were carefully covered up. (Although the co-world record holder in the 100 meters was busted the other day.)

[Steve_Seattle]

"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."

Well, Armstrong had fans spitting in his face during the Tour, and a lot of Euros resented his wins, so I wouldn't be surprised if someone would be tempted to taint Landis's urine samples. The European press is full of rubbish about America, about Bush, etc., so I really wouldn't put it past them.

Meanwhile, everyone has almost forgotten that the two pre-race favorites - Basso and Ullrich - both have been implicated in the Spanish scandal, and the evidence against them also seems rather compelling. So maybe, as some say, everyone does it.

[Vision]

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.

I agree but listen to Armstrong talk about the anti-Americanism. The French press and whomever seriously tried to slander him with no evidence.

[RichardW]

I can't speak for everyone but as an American I am ashamed that this was done because it has sullied the reputation in the single greatest sporting event in the world. And that's a damned shame.

As an aside I see that Jan Ullrich evidently was up to his ears in doping. But he didn't ride the Tour.

I think the only thing that can possibly change this is a lifetime ban for the first offense.

I was reading "Sports Illustrated" today and Cadel Evans account of Landis's accomplishments in Stage 17 was completely unbelievable. You might want to read it. It was written before the positive test.

My $0.02.