Cromulent

So we've got doctors, researchers, lawyers, and PR folks on these boards...

What would you tell him to say to the cameras?

How would you defend him to the UCI?

How would you defend Floyd if it was up to you?

I would use the Wookie defense, but I'm more of a South Park fan than a lawyer. To me, the UCI is using a Wookie attack, then again I believe Floyd (for now).

Mo'Phat

It's the Chewbacca Defense. The Wookie Defense is just plain silly.

DocRay

The wookie defense would make..no...sense..., which is the heart of the Chewbacca defense. Brilliant.

Cromulent

Now why would I write 'Wookie' when I should have said Chewbacca, even though Chewbacca is a Wookie? If I write one thing when I meant something else, even though they are the same thing - even though they're not the same thing... well that makes no sense. Ladies and gentlemen, if this makes no sense then I am idiot. And if I am an idiot, then Floyd Landis is innocent.

Hee.

I really did mean 'Chewbacca Defense'.

So, bungled South Park references aside, how would you defend Floyd?

DocRay

If "B" sample tests positive, Landis will have to provide samples for a month to show that his normal testosterone/epitestosterone levels have that unusual ratio.

There are ways to determine if abnormal test results are because of an individual, and not because of intentional doping. Tyler Hamilton had the opportunity to prove his innocence, but refused.

Cromulent

Right. But what about in the court of public opinion?

Mo'Phat

His reputation from this point on will be forever tarnished in some peoples' minds. Lance claims that he has never doped and has never tested positive for doping, but that didn't stop 700,000 +/- rabid spectators on Alpe D'Huez (TT, 2004) from spitting on him, cursing him, threatening him, and judging him.

Floyd will have to endure accusations and catcalling for the rest of his cycling career...exonerated or not.

Mo'Phat

Anyway, the B sample will (or should) be tested with Carbon Isotope Ratio analysis, to determine if the testerone level was due to external application or naturally occuring.

See this excellent article for a surprisingly rational and coherent discussion of the issues:
https://boulderreport.bicycling.com/2...e_specula.html

merlinextraligh

appears that's already been done, From the Chcago Tribune:

Another test, which analyzes carbon isotopes, provides much more definitive evidence that an athlete has used external testosterone, according to Don Catlin, director of the Olympic drug testing laboratory at UCLA.

The French newspaper L'Equipe reported in Friday's editions that the Olympic anti-doping lab in Paris that analyzed Landis' sample also performed the carbon isotope test and that it clearly showed the presence of external testosterone.

DocRay

Merlin, where did you get that quote? I can't find it on the CT website, just the "I scored positive 'cause I'm a natural stud" story.

ZachS

What you're saying makes no sense. No sense!

voltman

He's American. He is being framed.

merlinextraligh

https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/n...ck=1&cset=true

a_fire_inside

I would tell him to challenge Dick Pound to an arm wrestling match.

spearce

Stephen Colbert said it best "floyd landis has a high testosterone count because of his giant american balls."

Jinker

I listened to his conference call online. If he had broken out "Chewbacca is a wookie, I rest my case." I would totally have been on his side, innocent or guilty.

As it stands, I just don't know what to think and am starting not to care. My cheap Phonak jersey from Nashbar will help me get over all of this.

Trevor98

Landis is screwed. Regardless of the results of the rest of the tests his win and his reputation will be tarnished for years to come. If he is cleared the retractions or explanations of the initial findings will be buried or ignored. Retractions are never as noticeable as headlines.

m2usa

I was inspired by Landis on Stage 17, and thought, "wow, that is really showing some incredible grit, and determination" and I was really cheering him on. Now, I'm hoping that he can clear his name if he truly is clean. The one thing that I would mention though is that he really should have his personal website managed a bit better. There are Google placed ads on how to "Increase Testosterone" and how to improve a "Low Testosterone" condition. I'd say that's not a great theme for ads on his personal website.

joeprim

As I understand it the ratio of two hormones was high not that the testostrone was high. If this is true it's an anomolus test result likely caused by the alchool he had the night before. He certainly didn't take something to lower is testosterone.

Joe

linux_author

https://adblock.mozdev.org/

:-)

p.s. you're absolutely right!