Note from Buck: We will have several guest bloggers while Mero is on his honeymoon. George knows more about cycling than you know about your mother.

Several weeks ago Buck and I were on our feet, cheering wildly for a dude riding a bike in some very revealing clothes. Floyd Landis was kicking some ass in Stage 17 of the Tour de France. And not just regular ass-kicking. This was the greatest comeback in the history of professional cycling.  

Looking goofy is not a crime.

Landis had been dominating all year. 1st, overall, Tour of Georgia; 1st, individual time trial, Tour de Georgia; 1st, overall, Paris Nice; 1st, overall, Tour of California; 1st, individual time trial, Tour of California. He's having a career year. 

Even so, I'm a skeptical person by nature, and as Landis' comeback was unfolding I couldn't help but think if he had something "extra" in the tank. But I brushed away those thoughts as foolish and enjoyed the conclusion of the race — an American had won the Tour de France, again! The elation wouldn't last though: Days later Floyd Landis was busted for doping.  

Makes sense right? This guy rides past every other rider like they were standing still, after riding a bike 100 miles a day for the better part of three weeks over some huge fuckin' mountains. I wouldn't want to drive a car the distances that these guys pedal their bikes. Turns out Landis had elevated testosterone levels. The ratio of testosterone to epitestosterone was 11:1. Normal human ratios are closer to 1:1. Sounds pretty bad huh? 10 times the testosterone than he should have? He must have 'roided up before that amazing comeback. Everything adds up. Throw the book at him. 

Hold on. Something's bugging me. It's not that simple. 

Landis was tested eight times during the tour. The sample taken after Stage 17 was the only one that came back positive. The other tests were taken two days before and two days after Stage 17. You have to realize that steroids aren't used as a one day pick-me-up. They are usually taken weeks ahead of time to "load-up" your system. You don't really reap immediate benefits from taking them.

The 11:1 ratio is also a source of question. The UCI never stated wether Landis' testosterone level is high for a human, or if it was just high relative to the epitestosterone in his system. Really high testosterone or really low epitestosterone, big difference. 

Steroids are a very non-traditional drug in cycling. Cyclists seek to have their endurance increased, not necessarily their strength. So it seems strange to me that even a desperate cyclist would turn to steroids to enhance his performance.  

Plus, he's a damn Mennonite! Have you seen these people? 'Nuf said. 

I don't know how to explain the rest results except for my conspiracy theories. Hey, he's in France. It's hard to ignore the fact that he's not exactly in the most friendly country for Americans. Not like murder you bad, but you know, spit in your food bad. It is not out of the question that a disgruntled person could slip a mickey into a blood sample to frame Landis. Remember, testosterone can be injected, taken orally or taken topically (cream or patch).  

I don't think Landis' guilt can be determined by one "positive" test. His guilt or innocence will be determined by a hearing conducted by USA Cycling in 5 to 6 months. But as for myself, there are too many odd circumstances and coincidences to label him a cheat right now. Say it ain't so Floyd. Say it ain't so.


Buck adds:

A lot of people have been commenting on Landis' "kitchen-sink" defense, where he threw out like 12 possible excuses for the test in the first week, as evidence that he must be guilty. That's complete bullshit.

Throwing out every excuse you can think of is what you do when you're innocent, not guilty. If you're completely blindsided by an accusation, you start trying to think of all the things that could possibly explain it. "Maybe it's the medicine I'm on. Maybe it was the whiskey I drank. Maybe I was dehydrated...I've got no idea!"

If you've actually cheated, especially the premeditated kind of cheating that cycling requires, you have an iron-clad excuse ready to go. You cover your tracks and come up with alibis well ahead of time.

It's not like the International Cycling Union is some unimpeachable organization. They crusaded against Lance for years, and the entire world of cycling is so infused with drug use and accusations of it that it's hard to trust what anyone says. I generally find conspiracy theories silly and an easy excuse to keep from tackling real problems. But here I'm being asked to choose what I want to believe:

1.) Landis, having the best year of his career, took a drug that gave him no benefit when he knew full well he'd be tested for it as soon as he got off his bike.

Or...

2.) The French are shady bastards who are trying to bring down an American sports hero.

Hmmm. Tough choice.