Floyd's Fate - B Sample Analysis Confirms Original Results

The UCI released the following statement that Floyd's B sample confirmed the A results indicating an elevated T/E ratio.

The adverse analytical finding from Floyd Landis is confirmed
The UCI communicates that the analysis of the sample B of Floyd Landis’s urine has confirmed the result of an adverse analytical finding notified by the Anti-doping laboratory of Paris on 26th July, following the analysis of the sample A.

In accordance to the Anti-doping rules, the Anti-doping Commission of the UCI will request that the USA Cycling Federation open a disciplinary procedure against the rider.

Phonak also released a statement on the team website.

Phonak Cycling Team to clarify consequences
The Phonak Cycling Team has learned today from the International Cycling Union (UCI) that team captain Floyd Landis’s B sample has also resulted in a positive finding of doping. As a result, Landis will be dismissed without notice for violating the team’s internal Code of Ethics. Landis will continue to have legal options to contest the findings. However, this will be his personal affair and the Phonak team will no longer be involved in that. Team owner Andy Rihs deeply regrets this development. At present, he is clarifying with all parties involved what consequences this may have for his company ARcycling AG, the operator of the Phonak Cycling Team. Andy Rihs and Team Manager John Lelangue will make in-depth statements regarding this matter at a media conference to be held in the next couple of days.

In layman's terms, Floyd don't let the door hit you in the ass.

Floyd's Fate - B Sample Results Due at 5am EST

The UCI will be releasing the results of Floyd's B sample tests at 10:00am CET (5:00am EST) tomorrow (Aug 5). I'll post something as soon as they are available.

Cycling.tv Vuelta Coverage

Cycling.tv has just announced that they will be broadcasting full live (and archived) coverage of every stage of this years Vuelta. You can get this service for the low low price of 19.99 Euro (approx $28 USD).

Tour of Germany - Stage 3

A 19 year old rider from a non-ProTour Team shows them how its done. It was a stage for the sprinters with only 2 small catagory 3 climbs. Marco Pinotti (Saunier Duval) launched a solo attack early in the stage and stayed away until 25km remaining in the stage. He ran the gap out to 6+ minutes but with his current standing in the GC (142nd 9'23") he was kept well in check by Gusev's Discovery boys.

In the final 20k several attempted attacks were squashed as the sprinters teams came to the front to control things. Lampre and Milram drove it for the most part. With 2k to go Lorenzo Bernucci (T-Mobile) took a flier but was reeled in before the 1k banner. Liquigas lauched their leadout with still 500m to go to the line. Zabel (Milram) was well positioned and opened his sprint inside of 200m. With 50m to go 19 year old Gerald Ciolek (Wiesenhof-Akud) timed it perfectly coming around the ride side to take stage 3 of the Tour of Germany.

Stage 3 Results:
1 Gerald Ciolek (Ger) Team Wiesenhof Akud
2 Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Milram
3 André Greipel (Ger) T-Mobile Team
4 Luke Roberts (Aus) Team CSC
5 Mark Renshaw (Aus) Credit Agricole


GC after Stage 3
1 Vladimir Gusev (Rus) Discovery Channel 4.49.47
2 Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Milram
3 Linus Gerdemann (Ger) T-Mobile Team 0.01
4 Davide Rebellin (Ita) Gerolsteiner 0.07
5 Inigo Cuesta Lopez De Castro (Spa) Team CSC 0.10
6 Jens Voigt (Ger) Team CSC 0.11
7 Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) Astana Team
8 Nick Nuyens (Bel) Quick Step-Innergetic 0.13
9 Evgeni Petrov (Rus) Lampre-Fondital 0.14

Race Calendar - Aug 5-6

The PUR Tour Saturday, August 5th, 2006 Mason, OH
The course is a 1.56 mile non-technical loop circuit of excellent pavement closed to traffic during the race. There is one left hand turn and 1 short climb.

Zoar Road Race, Sunday, August 6 in Zoar, Ohio
The course is a scenic, well-paved 10-mile loop near Zoar, OH - a challenging circuit with two significant climbs (39x23 recommended) and a long, straight descent. There are two significant climbs - one gradual climb on Dover-Zoar, and a steeper climb on Middle Run. The finish line is located on Middle Run Rd., a few kilometers after the top of the climb.

Newport Celebration Sunday, August 6 in Newport, Kentucky
Totally flat and four-corner criterium course.

Tour of Utah and Other Upcoming NRC Races

Domestic US Pro cycling news. The Tour of Utah is scheduled to kick off on August 7th. It is an elite six day stage race featuring 16 of the top domestic pro teams. The following teams will be competing:

• Navigators Insurance


• Toyota United


• Health Net-Maxxis


• TIAA-CREF


• Kodakgallery.com-Sierra Nevada


• Symmetrics


• Priority Health


• Successful Living


• Einstein's


• Team End (Utah All Stars)


• Sienna Development-Goble Knee Clinic


• California Giant Strawberries


• Vitamin Cottage


• BMS Racing


• Broadmark


• KJZZ composite team

I will be posting race reports following each stage.

August 5th, the Bank of America Invitational Criterium "The World's Richest Crit" will be held in Charlotte NC. This event has a huge purse which draws pro riders from around the world.

August 12 & 13, Tour of Elk Grove will run near Chicago. They are advertising that Floyd Landis will be riding in it but with his current "status", it ain't going to happen.

Race 2 Replace - I'm going!

Damn straight, you read that right. I'm participating in the Discovery Channel Race 2 Replace Lance whats-his-name. I know, I know, I'm realistic about this whole deal. My odds of winning the powerball are better than taking this thing. My justification is that the money is going to a good cause and come on how many people get the chance to ride around Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

I'm not a cancer survivor but I'll be carrying the torch for my good buddy Jon. He is a pancreatic cancer survivor going on 4 years (I think). He is still kicking ass and taking names. Keep up the fight brother.

I have to thank Motorex Oil of Switzerland for their support. They are providing some local riders with kits and a canopy. And I must say after receiving my team kit, they are first rate. Assos, need I say more.

Floyd's Fate - B Testing is Underway

The testing of Floyd's B sample got underway on Thursday (Aug 3). According to cyclingnews.com, representatives of US Anti-Doping Agency and the UCI as well as Jose Maria Buxeda, Landis' Spanish attorney, were present.

Floyd should know the fate of his B sample on Saturday. I must say that with all of the information that has made its way out, I'm not too optimistic. Goodluck Floyd.

In Need of a Kick in the a$$

Of late I've been a bit weak, mentally. I've had trouble pushing through the pain. Today's ride was another such day. This afternoon I ran across a quote from Lance Armstrong that may give me a little motivation.

"Cycling is so hard, the suffering is so intense, that it’s absolutely cleansing. The pain is so deep and strong that a curtain descends over your brain... Once, someone asked me what pleasure I took in riding for so long. ’Pleasure?’ I said. ’I don’t understand the question.’ I didn’t do it for pleasure, I did it for pain."

I'll let you know how it works out.