By Tim Maloney, European Editor
When Cyclingnews reached still 2006 Tour de France winner Floyd Landis at home in California, he was troubled to learn from earlier news reports of the continued security issues at the Châtenay-Malabry lab. Landis was emphatic when he stated that "any claims attributing these actions to me or my defense team are baseless, untrue, irresponsible and another example of the character assassination that I have faced since the initial allegations surfaced in July."
Concerning the admission by the LNDD lab at Châtenay-Malabry, France that Floyd's 'B' sample was misidentified, this confirms one of the many errors that Floyd and his defense team brought to public attention with their "wikipedia" defense in early October.
Landis' spokesman Michael Henson told Cyclingnews that "the correct identification of an athlete’s sample is fundamental to the integrity of the results management process. While the whole of the defense of Floyd Landis does not rest on this single mistake by the LNDD lab... this news validates our claim that there is more than enough fact-based evidence in the public material to prove Floyd's innocence. Last month, we requested additional testing information and documentation that is within the guidelines established by WADA, but that request has recently been denied by USADA."
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
