Backup Sample on Landis Is Positive

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 8-5-2006

[Cagey]

Confirmed ping for your list.

[Republicain]

Very vary sad for the Tour de France...

[AmericaUnited]

Console yourself knowing that being a French Freeper, you have enough b*lls to test positive too... :)

unlike a majority over there

[dakine]

What a maroon...

[Reform4Bush]

You know, as much as I was rooting for the guy, I was simply shocked by his performance in the critical stage after completely bonking in the previous stage.

I wondered what caused the turnaround myself, and as much as I'd like to give him the benefit of the doubt I just can't. My first instinct was he did something, and his inconsistent reasons for testing high hasn't changed my opinion at all.

While I'm not a competetive cyclist, I ride quite a bit (well, not as much the last few years) so I'm not judging as someone who hasn't ridden a bike since they rode their Huffy when they were 12. His turnaround was unprecedented, and I just can't buy it was anything other than a result of taking something he shouldn't have.

[Vision]

The International Cycling Union announced early Saturday morning that Landis had officially failed a drug test from the race. In response, his Swiss-based Phonak team fired him. Landis also may become the first Tour champion in the race’s 103-year history to be stripped of his title because of doping allegations.

[gridlock]

We have our problems over here, too...

[Vision]

I wondered what caused the turnaround myself, and as much as I'd like to give him the benefit of the doubt I just can't.

That would make sense, but the stuff he tested positive for doesn't produce immediate results.

[stocksthatgoup]

[AmericaUnited]

That would make sense, but the stuff he tested positive for doesn't produce immediate results.

Who can confirm this?? Plus, do we know how many times during the race the riders were tested?

[Reform4Bush]

The stage winners are tested shortly after their victory in that particular stage.

If someone had beaten Landis on that critical stage, he would not have been tested.

[AmericaUnited]

So it looks like he was too dumb to come in second.

[AmericaUnited]

Landis also may become the first Tour champion in the race’s 103-year history to be stripped of his title because of doping allegations. Some are considering whether GEN-X'ers should be banned permanently from the race. "This never happened when the boomer's were here."

[Ike]

"That would make sense, but the stuff he tested positive for doesn't produce immediate results.
Who can confirm this??"

All of the docs interviewed at the time of the initial allegation said it. Also, Landis was taking an approved med for his hip that could have produced the result.

[AmericaUnited]

Also, Landis was taking an approved med for his hip that could have produced the result

Well that would make more sense. I just can not believe that he would be this stupid.

[Cagey]

Phil Liggett's comments after Stage 17:

This is a crazy Tour that is totally unpredictable. Landis, from the tears of La Toussuire is now again the favorite to win in Paris on Sunday.

Before stage 17 Liggett had said it was impossible for Landis to come back into contention. He was right about this being a crazy Tour.

[Wonder Warthog]

"His turnaround was unprecedented, and I just can't buy it was anything other than a result of taking something he shouldn't have."

The only problem with your notion is that artifically elevating the level of testosterone in the bloodstream won't affect short-term performance. The major effect of testosterone is to build muscle mass.

I think it is more likely a physiological effect from dehydration and/or stress.

[Vision]

/shaking head in mild amusement

[GeronL]

Mark Levin Voice: what a dope!