Landis on france 2
Floyd Landis was interviewed yeste´rday evening by French tv station France 2. It was the first interview
on an European tv station since this years Tour de France. Landis hopes he will be allowed to race again next year
and said he is training every day. Landis told France 2: "I did not take testosterone. Landis continued by saying: "I have
to wait for the scientists to prove it, but I hope that everybody will keep an open mind and judge on me after they have seen
all the evidence."
Asked about his fast recovery winning stage 17 of this years Tour de France after his epic attack and black
day the day before on stage 16, Landis said: "It's not uncommon, when you have a bad day, that the best day is the next day".
About the positive result of the doping test which was done froma probe taken after stage 17 Landis said: "I can't explain
it. I'm just as surprised and confused as everybody. I have to rely on my lawyer and the scientists, because, to be honest,
I'm a rider... That's all I know and that's the only thing I'm good at."
France 2 also asked which arguments Landis used to question the results of the French Chatenay-Malabry anti-doping
laboratory, Landis answered: "Even the best people make mistakes. I can't say that the lab has always been the best lab, but
I can say that in this case, they made some mistakes."
Landis also explained the French tv station that he can't defend himself against rumours, like the rumour
that Landis receieved a blood transfusion which contained the testosterone which was found in the urin sample: "I heard
from other journalists that there was a rumour, but just like with the testosterone test, I can't defend myself against that,
because I don't have any information on where this rumour came from."
Landis also said he was injected with corticosteroids to relieve the pain that was caused by his injured hip
but that the UCI was notified about this injection. On the question if 7 time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong
gave him advice, Landis stated: "He's also been accused of things in the past, and he's one of the few people who can relate
to the situation. His advice is just to be clear in what I say, and to not expect people to give me too much the benefit of
the doubt."
After Landis saw the video of the 2007 Tour de France presentation in which Tour organizer ASO showed an image
of Floyd Landis exploding into pieces of broken glass, the former Phonak captain was disappointed, "But I also understand
that ASO has a difficult position."
About a possible return at the 2007 season, Landis said: "It would be a dream to return and take part in the
Tour de France again."
Floyd Landis published a slide show and various documents that are related to his case on www.floydlandis.com .
Video of the France 2 interview: http://sport.france2.fr/stade2/index-fr.php
Tom Boonen in Tour of California?
It is uncertain if the first sprint duel betwen Alessandro Petacchi and Tom Boonen will take place at the
Tour of Qatar. Petacchi already said he would start in Qatar, but Quickstep manager Patrick Lefevere told Belgian daily sports
sportwereld.be that Boonen might start at the Tour of California: "Our sponsors are American or have interests there."
