Posted on 07/28/2006 10:38:36 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
MADRID, Spain (AP) -- Floyd Landis said the high testosterone levels that caused him to fail a drug test at the Tour de France are the result of his natural metabolism -- not doping of any kind -- and he will undergo tests to prove it.
"We will explain to the world why this is not a doping case but a natural occurrence," Landis said Friday in his first public appearance since the doping test cast doubt on his title, one of the most stirring comeback wins in Tour history.
Landis said in a teleconference Thursday that he had no idea what may have tripped the test following the race's 17th stage, where he made his heroic charge into the Alps last week.
But on Friday he was adamant that the reading is the result of his natural physiology.
"I would like to make absolutely clear that I am not in any doping process," Landis said. "I ask not to be judged by anyone, much less sentenced by anyone."
Landis is still awaiting results from a backup sample, which will clear him if it comes back negative. He said Friday that he would undergo additional testing to show that his body produces a high level of testosterone naturally.
If ultimately proven guilty, he could be stripped of the Tour title and fired from the team. Switzerland-based Phonak said it would ask that the backup sample be tested in the next few days.
The team suspended Landis after the International Cycling Union notified it Wednesday that he had an "unusual level of testosterone/epitestosterone" when his test was taken last Thursday, the day he staked his comeback in the Alps.
Landis said he was shocked when told of the initial positive result. He said he had been tested six other times during the tour, and many other times during the year.
His voice was subdued and at times downcast on the Thursday call, when he said he expected to clear his name but never to truly shake the disgrace of doping. But Landis turned defiant in his Friday appearance, chastising the media for implying that he was accused of doping and defending himself as an honest competitor who devoted his life to his sport.
"I declare convincingly and categorically that my winning the Tour de France has been exclusively due to many years of training and my complete devotion to cycling," he said. "I was the strongest guy. I deserved to win, and I'm proud of it."
In a file photo Floyd Landis celebrates on the podium after winning the 93rd Tour de France cycling race, in Paris, Sunday, July 23, 2006. Landis, whose stirring Tour de France comeback win was cast into doubt by a test for high testosterone, said he expects to prove his innocence.
Natural for Americans, that is.
A natural occurrence right after Stage 17.
Do you think his testosterone is as high as Janet Reno's?
But then Jan has Lance's missing testicle.
This is the first thing to hit me as well, reading his protestations here. Would you know, did he get tested before each and every stage, this only went *ding* at 17? Do you suppose he'll be able to dig up some endocrinologist who will explain that somehow the last hill or a tree in the road or whatever managed to increase his testosterone at that particular stage, not the others?? Hmm ...
I had mine checked the other night... it was "Full".
You can't take testosterone and get a one day boost, though. You'd have to be taking it for a while.
You can't take testosterone and get a one day boost, though. You'd have to be taking it for a while.
If they compared his testosterone level to French levels, it's no wonder it seemed abnormally high.
The SJ Mercury quotes a French newspaper that the Carbon 13/12 ratio indicates an exogenous source, which isn't good for Floyd.
Floyd will probably be able to kick up enough dust to get off, or a light punishment. The UCI cannot be too enthused about throwing away a Tour and Champion over just one lil' whacky T/E ratio.
Is there an allegation that he used something, which created the residual effect of a high testosterone level in the test? Is there such a drug? Yesterday, he said he drank whiskey the night before Stage 17. That's what my local radio newsbreak said, anyway.
Of course he has a high level of testosterone....compared to the French who are so upset at being unable to win the Tour de France again.
But we all know the French have no balls.
No balls, no testosterone.
No balls, no medals.
Having lived in Europe for several years I can verify that there is a definite lack of testosterone in the male population over there.
Maybe the French National Testosterone was spent at the World Cup?
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