Embattled 2006 Tour de France champion Floyd Landis has supported the release of documentation by the World Anti-Doping Authority (WADA) that revises the anti-doping code, first introduced in 2003.
In a statement issued by the 'Floyd Fairness Fund', an organization set up to help the rider beat a doping charge from the 2006 Tour, Landis said, "It is a positive change in WADA's approach to release to the public these criticisms and calls for rule revisions from organizations ranging from the United States Olympic Committee to a wide range of national sports federations."
The release of the anti-doping code revision (see special report) was the result of more than six months of comments solicited from a list of thousands of 'stakeholders' - governments, sporting organizations, anti-doping authorities and athletes alike.
The call for comments on the code was highly successful, according to WADA director general David Howman, and it received "probably more feedback" on this than it has on any other document.
The Landis camp seized on the WADA release – and a story in a Los Angeles newspaper – as evidence that his positive dope test after stage 17 of the 2006 Tour was flawed. "It is also gratifying to me to know that the heaviest criticism was focused on the exact same test that has unfairly cast doubts on my performance in stage 17 of the Tour de France. First my samples were mishandled and then tested as contaminated. Then, against WADA's own rules they were subject to illegal testing using protocols that are widely acknowledged as scientifically flawed," Landis claimed in the statement.
In her analysis of the WADA revision, Cyclingnews' Editor Laura Weislo noted, "The Floyd Landis case may have highlighted the problems surrounding the 2005 reduction in the testosterone:epitestosterone ratio limit from 6:1 to 4:1. Comments from stakeholders reflect the controversy.
"Denis Oswald, President of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations objected to the current level, stating 'There is no scientific evidence to support the reduction from 6 to 4. It has become a waste of resources in terms of time, money and effort with no apparent benefit. The reduction has produced a dramatic increase in workload and expenses, without revealing any more doping offences.'"
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
