Floyd’s “Tour de Innocence” Heads For Chicago
Do you live within a few hours of Chicago? Are you interested in hearing the other side of the Floyd Landis story — the one that mostly escapes the mainstream media? Do you think Floyd is innocent, or do you think he’s guilty, or are you not sure what to think? Would you like to find out about his case for yourself, rather than from other sources?
Well, here’s your chance. Floyd Landis will make appearances in the Chicago area on March 9th and 10th. On the evening of March 9th, a fundraising auction of cycling-related art and memorabilia will take place at the H. Marion Framing Studio at Plaza Del Prado (on the corner of Willow and Pfingsten Roads) in Glenview, IL. On Saturday, March 10th, the traveling road show will roll up to The Wilmette Theatre for a session that will include a townhall question-and-answer session and a silent auction. Landis will be signing autographs at both events.
As a side benefit, your humble Ranter will be in attendance on Saturday the 10th.
Jan Ullrich — Retired Or Drummed Out of Cycling?
Operacion Puerto has claimed at least one high profile victim: Jan Ullrich, who announced his retirement from professional cycling earlier this week. Ullrich, a perennial contender for the Tour title since he won the race in 1997 was one of the toughest competitors in the sport. He was one of the favored riders to win the 2006 Tour, until the Operacion Puerto scandal forced his withdrawl on the eve of the race.
Lance Armstrong often spoke of Ullrich as the one rider he truly feared. Given the vagaries of the allegations, and the way the Operacion Puerto investigation has unfolded, it’s very hard to know whether Ullrich was guilty of any infractions or not.
My hunch about this investigation is that just as the OJ Simpson case is the gold-standard for how not to prosecute a murder case, Operacion Puerto will become the gold-standard for how not to conduct an anti-doping investigation, police-wise. The Landis case will probably get that dubious honor from the anti-doping agency side of things. I doubt that we’ll ever know the truth of the Operacion Puerto matter, and a number of athletes will be tarred and feathered, some deservingly and some needlessly.
With the way his retirement occurred, it’s hard not to wonder: Did Ullrich retire willingly, or was he drummed out? And if it was the latter, did he deserve it, or was he a victim of false accusations?
Peloton Jim writes an excellent article about Ullrich’s retirement. It was a sad day to see such a great competitor retire. And as Peloton Jim points out, it’s even sadder that it has gone relatively unnoticed. A very sad end to a great career, but one that had the potential to be even greater.
Suggested Reading
If you haven’t found this link on Trust But Verify or at Endless Cycle, you should definitely take the time to read Helen Quinn’s article Belief and knowledge — a plea about language on the Physics Today website. Quinn, a particle physicist at the Stanford Linear Accelerator (SLAC), writes about the differences in meaning between the physics world (and the science world in general) and the non-science world. Terms that have very precise meanings in the world of physics or science have much different meanings to the average Joe or Jane on the street.
Along with her observations on language, she gives a very good discussion on the difference between what one believes to be true (in several senses) and what one knows to be true (also in several senses). Peloton Jim covers the article very succinctly in his write-up, and as he says, this should be required reading for anyone with an interest in the Floyd Landis case — regardless of which side you’re on.
It cuts both ways. Me, I’ll wait for the jury’s decision now and take it from there. If he’s exonorated that’s fine if not then fine too.
Phil — Maybe for you it’s “fine” either way, but theres sooo much more at stake here than just one alleged doping rider. There is an entire community of riders, and soon to be athletes of all genre, who will be subject to “win at all costs” mentality anti-doping zealots….regardless of facts, honesty, integrity. This is a watershed case. Sports will be reeling from the ever degenerating System if it is not held to ethical, professional, & scientific standards. And, there’s an excellent chance (due to big money and big power at stake at the 3 memeber arbitration) that true justice may not be served. It’s not “Fine” either way…the System must change.
Paul
Good points, Paul. Usually it’s the athlete who is accused of striving to win at all costs. Now it seems as though the anti-doping forces have adopted that stance.
To me Landis and Ullrich have something in common completely unrelated to the D-word. I didn’t like either of them at first, but each earned my respect over time and my gratitude for having provided me with some great entertainment. They both have something special if they could change my stubborn mind.
I sure would have liked to see Floyd and Jan competing in the 2007 TdF. More than any other riders I can think of.
~ Cub
I just read at Velonews.com that Patrick Lefevere the DS of Quick Step is preparing to sue a Belgian newspaper for linking him to doping in his team.
“No one will ever again see me in the same light they did before January,” said Lefevere. “The damages are irreparable and lingering. I have also been badly hit from a commercial and economic perspective.”
Let’s all give him a collective aaaawwww! This is one of the imbeciles who thought that all suspected dopers should never be allowed back in cycling even if there was no proof and no charges brought against them. That anyone suspected was guilty. No hearings needed. He’s blasted Johan Bruyneel for signing Basso. He lambasted Floyd but now that it’s him being “falsely accused” he sings a different tune.
What a hyprocrite!!
I agree with you Cub.
I didn’t think much of Floyd before seeing him at last year’s Tour de Georgia. At Georgia he was always smiling, friendly, and funny. He interacted with the crowds well. He always seemed to be having a good time. I came away with the belief that he is an excellent ambassador for professional cycling.