Monday Roundup

News
VeloNews/AFP says Mayo is cleared by negative B samples. This must say something about the LNDD's positive A sample, and the delay in the announcement of the B sample results. It took 62 days after the B sample results were due back to make any announcement. Landis's' positive B's seemed to have been leaked in hours.

Reuters via Grauniad says Mayo made a statement, reported at Marca below:

"It was a very bad experience because I didn't understand what was happening.... but everything has turned out as I expected," Mayo was quoted as saying on the Web site of Spanish sports daily Marca

"It doesn't seem logical nor credible," he said. "I've spent many years cycling and I can't chuck it all in but sometimes you feel like it because there are so many injustices.

Marca.com, en Espanol, courtesy an emailer.

The CyclingNews reports this morning that CPA president Cedric Vasseur is not happy with the ancillary role the few invited cyclists will be playing at the Anti-Doping Summit taking place in Paris today and tomorrow:

The 37 year-old was also wary as the confidentiality of the data produced for the biological passport, which the UCI wants to implement as soon as January 2008. "This subject was invoked without being discussed with the riders," he continued. "This passport can serve as a tool to combat doping, but it shouldn't be used by the media. It should remain the business of the doctors, the UCI and WADA. The medical parameters are confidential. We have seen that anonymous data has been revealed to the public. The Anti-Doping instances have shown that they are not afraid to exclude and sanction - you can't say that they don't fight [doping]."

An increase in the amount of doping controls would not save cycling, either, Vasseur commented. "Quantity does not necessarily mean quality," he said. "Of course there have to be controls, but it shouldn't come down to harassment. In between sending schedules to the team and the other instances, the repetition of controls, the rider has less and less time to focus on the next competition. But just like the team directors, the riders are willing to prove their good faith."

The IHT posts an AP story about the first day of the anti-doping summit being held in Paris. No cyclists were on hand at the start of the conference, David Millar pulled out due to personal reasons:

But the two-day conference — at least for its opening — was missing representation among those who may matter most: the riders themselves. None was on hand, and the one who had been scheduled — British cyclist David Millar — pulled out for personal reasons, organizers said.

The conference starts with various recriminations among the parties who did attend. WADA, the UCI, health officials, and team doctors were on hand most of them pointing fingers of blame at each other:

Many in the sport have traded accusations over who is to blame — and they'll be called upon to put aside their differences.

Pat McQuaid is scheduled to sit on a panel Tuesday with World Anti-Doping Agency head Dick Pound and Patrice Clerc, who heads the company that runs the Tour — two men who have been sharply critical of the UCI over doping.

Reuters via Yahoo says the UCI is increasing tests next year by 50%, going from 9790 this year to 8000 in-competition and 7000 out-of-competition, which is about 10,000 to about 15,000. They're in favor of the biological passport idea.

The VeloNews posts its Monday Mailbag which contains a suggestion that cycling needs a "czar". There is also a letter from a former ostrich who now knows how wide spread cheating is in the pro peloton.

The Morning Call reports on a recent talk in New Jersey by Versus cycling commentator Phil Liggett in which he expressed his belief that Floyd Landis is innocent. The crowd apparently applauded in agreement:

And Liggett had words that brought cheers from the crowd at the banquet regarding Floyd Landis, who won the 2006 Tour de France but lost the accomplishment after being found guilty of using performance-enhancing drugs.

''The Tour de France is trying to kick the Americans out because of jealousy,'' he proclaimed. ''I don't believe Floyd Landis is guilty of anything.''

GayWired.com claims that a convict named Jonathan Lee Riches has filed a number of bogus lawsuits against various celebrities and sports figures, handwritten no less, and among them is one filed against Floyd Landis for "allowing E.T. to use his magical powers on to help him win the race." Floyd must be shaking in his boots.


Blogs
Neil@Road posts the "official" statement from the FFF on the unfortunate arrest of Kid Rock at the Atlanta Waffle House Saturday night. The FFF wants it made very clear that they will NOT be raising funds in Mr. Rock's defend but:

This statement was received directly from the FFF. “Contrary to rumors being circulated, the Floyd Fairness Fund will not be used to defend Mr. Rock in his arrest at the Atlanta Waffle House. He was married to Pamela Anderson, so it is apparent that he has the monetary means to properly defend himself in a court of law. That said, Dr. Baker is prepared to analyze any and all drug or alcohol related testing that might have been preformed on Mr. Rock.”

Su Mining1 rambles about American cyclists who have and have not tested positive for doping, and about how cycling in the Sates has just never been quite mainstream enough to have really lost that much popularity.

WADAwatch previews this week's anti-doping summit in Paris.

Lij is wondering about Floyd Landis at Hogwarts, since people are landing at her site while searching for "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phonaks" See article about Jonathan Lee Riches above.

Racejunkie says "Sue them Iban sue"! And while we're at it, Free Floyd, because those jokers at the lab couldn't analyze Pixie Stix.

Erik, after seeing the results for Iban Mayo's negative "B" sample, is inclined to believe Floyd Landis more and more.