By Susan Westemeyer
The Floyd Fairness Fund was started in hopes of raising up to two million dollars for Floyd Landis' legal defence, but to date only US$150,000 in contributions has come in, according to spokesman Michael Henson.
Landis claims to have spent about $350,000 of his own money so far, and is living on his past earnings. In the coming months, Landis, Hanson and other members of the defence team "will hold town hall-style meetings in Southern California and across the nation where Landis will discuss his legal defence and raise money through auctions and by signing autographs," Hanson told the California newspaper Press Enterprise.
Landis was in California for the annual training camp that he hosts for amateur riders. 23 cyclists, from as far away as New Zealand and Great Britain, paid $3,000 to attend the week-long camp. His mechanic, massage therapist and physiologist all worked with the riders. Landis rode with the amateurs six times, for a total of about 300 miles.
Meanwhile, Floyd Landis doesn't want to have to fight doping charges on two fronts at once, and has allegedly asked the French anti-doping agency to hold off on its proceedings against him. His legal team has asked that the French cases be suspended until his WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) case is finished, the Los Angeles Times has reported.
The WADA made a similar request of the French anti-doping agency, the AFLD. Landis' spokesman said he expects the AFLD to announce its decision on February 8, the date it has scheduled to open the hearing. "We believe it's strongly in Floyd's interest to not have to defend two actions simultaneously in two different countries," said Maurice Suh of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, who is defending Landis in the French case.
Cyclingnews' coverage of the Floyd Landis case
September 28, 2008 - Landis takes case to US federal court
September 10, 2008 - Landis signing with current Health Net-Maxxis team for 2009
July 1, 2008 - CAS delivers final blow to Landis legal challenge
June 30, 2008 - Landis loses final appeal
June 28, 2008 - Landis decision due Monday
March 12, 2008 - Landis' judgment day nears
October 21, 2007 - Landis files appeal with CAS
October 18, 2007 - AFLD takes another look at Landis case
Thursday, October 11 - Landis continues fight, appeals to CAS
Saturday, September 22 - UCI officially names Pereiro 2006 Tour champion, Landis case raises issues
Friday, September 21 - Landis' appeal denied, two year suspension levied
Cyclingnews' complete coverage of the Floyd Landis case
