The end of Swiss cycling?

By Susan Westemeyer

Floyd Landis "has stolen the future of Swiss pro cyclists" said Swiss newspaper Blick.

"It is clear that after this newest doping scandal, Andy Rihs (53) will throw in the towel. His ARcycling AG will either be sold or dissolved. Because the new sponsor iShares will withdraw despite its contract (from 2007 to 2009)," it reported.

On Thursday, Phonak rider Fabrizio Guidi won a stage in the Tour de la Région Wallonne and took over the leader's jersey, claiming the overall win on Friday, despite directeur-sportif's Rene Savary's comments: "I don't know how we are supposed to defend the jersey on Friday. Or whether we will even be at the start Sunday in Hamburg."

However, according to the team's webite, Savary will be taking the team to the upcoming ProTour classic in Germany. "That's why we are still focusing completely on the race here in Wallonia," he said, contradicting his earlier statement, "because we want to take this tour to a successful conclusion so that we can start the race in Hamburg with high morale."