The Velonews piece, here, by Ben Delaney says exactly what I think about the whole Floyd situation. You should read it. He writes it much more eloquently than I ever could. I agree with him completely. Especially this sentence – “These claims must be investigated, with one of two outcomes — penalties must be leveled, or names must be cleared.” That is the only way for closure. And the sport does need closure in this instance.
Steve Tilford
Blog
Right on Steve (and Ben). I agree completely. Floyd’s angry that he was caught while many other culpable guys are still making it big in the sport. We can surely find fault with his PR skills, but for some reason I’ve been a fan of Floyd and I understand and empathize with his situation. Maybe the cycling world will finally come to grips with reality?
NAH!
I admit it. I am a fan of Floyd…that’s pre and post positive for synthetic testosterone. I wanted to believe he was innocent but I knew he couldn’t be. I have been rooting for him the last couple of seasons since he has come back. Respecting the fact that he was willing to struggle as a U.S. domestic pro seemingly because he loved to ride and race his bike. I am not ignorant enough to think his motives were that altruistic. I do however cringe at the way he is going about this or how this is playing out. No, Floyd doesn’t look good at this point. He has opened the door for all the blind, right-wing, non-cycling fan, Lance loving groupies to shout their ignorant support for Mr. Armstrong and spew garbage at Landis. I can understand his bitter feelings of being hung out to dry by former teammates, USADA and pro cycling in general. Not for one minute do I think Landis is an innocent here, but he shouldn’t be sacrificed alone either. I don’t have the words to reasonably describe my feelings on this subject without insulting people on both sides of this deal, but I am a fan of cycling and racing at the grassroots level and higher. So I want what is best for domestic and international bicycle racing. I found someone who I think hit the nail on the head for me…
To any of you who haven’t, check out Adam Myerson’s blog (http://www.cycle-smart.com/blog). I think he was reading my mind when I was trying to figure where I stood on this deal. Adam has personal contact with the guy, I however don’t. His words still resonate with me though.
Here’s to some light at the end of the tunnel for Professional Cycling…
I empathize with Landis as well. I believe he was one of many that used illegal performance enhancement drugs and I can understand how it would feel to see others “get away with it”. I think it’s wrong to publicly accuse anyone of anything without proof to back it up. But, if Landis’ intent was to say privately to USA Cycling and the UCI, I know that these people did drugs and they should also be investigated, then I support Landis. I agree with Steve and the Velo News Article, that the sport needs clarification.
A friend of mine that was on the 7-11 team and the Motorola team made a few interesting comments, a few years ago, about drugs in cycling. When he found out how many people were using drugs, he said, “I was a better cyclist then I thought I was”. He also pointed out that Lemond and Bernard would have been beaten by 90 riders, if you compared their Alpe d’Huez times with times from a more recent Tour.
They lost me at “..sports journalists aren’t equipped like the FBI. We work in words, not wiretaps.” After throwing up a little in my mouth, I got to the end of the article.
The conclusion is universally agreeable, yet patently obvious.
VeloNews does its part to support the omerta with YEARS of recycling UCI/USAC doping press releases. In this regard, VeloNews is the UCI’s doping codpiece.
If SI ever mentions the many obvious conflicts of interests on the execs at USAC, we’d all be better off.