Thursday Roundup

Cohuta
Some reports from last year's Cohuta 100 make it sound like a good course for Landis this Saturday. CyclingNews described it as 30 miles of single track with 70 miles of fire-road climbing. Namrita wanted bigger gears for flat sections. Brandon Draugelis finished 3rd and wrote a tactical report. Kevin Daum (27th) also chips in with some more report links, including The Results.

News
ESPN posts an AP report on the creation of a USADA program that will establish a longitudinal voluntary study of athletes' blood chemistry in order to determine baseline values for subsequent PED testing. Few details are available at this time, though several athletes who have been asked to participate have talked about the testing regimen. The study seems to be based on cycling's "bio-passport" program, the ubiquitous Don Catlin comments:

Don Catlin, an anti-doping expert and one of the foremost authorities on longitudinal testing, said the theory behind the USADA project is solid, a "much more powerful technique than simply taking one slice in time.

"It's no surprise that good athletes, clean athletes, will jump up and down for this thing," Catlin said. "That's great. It's about time they started doing something. So now, it's 'OK, it's here, it's now.' And I'm sure there are going to be issues about how to get on the program."

There is very little actual information about this program released. Who is paying for it, for one thing. What protections are there for an athlete participating? Apparently results can be used for AAF charges by USADA.

The CyclingNews reports that despite having served a suspension for testosterone use, New Zealand cyclist Jeremy Yates will not be allowed to participate in the Olympics this summer"

"I love representing my country and ultimately I paid the highest price (two-year) possible for an athlete who is dedicated to his sport," Yates told Radio Sport. "I have served my ban and I – and my family – suffered because of that. I feel I have already paid the price."

Blogs
Dave Hall will not be intimidated by Floyd Landis' presence at the Cohutta 100 on Saturday, he just wants to beat his time from last year. Good luck to everyone who is entered.

Racejunkie notes some inconsistencies in the handling of Italian cases, and generally continues to make like Lewis Black.

As for Liquigas, which tossed Di Luca aside like an empty Budweiser can at a teen-jock beerfest at the first sign of trouble? Natch, blaming everyone but themselves for the loss of someone so clearly unfairly persecuted. Um, such sincerity still won't buy out his contract from LPR, boys! Still, depending on how embarrassed the narcs are, they can always appeal to CAS, which, given the lightning speed at which the we love Iban Mayo and Floyd "Either Way, I'm Hosed" Landis proceedings are going, ought to settle the issue just in time for Di Luca to ride off into semicomfortable retirement in his dapper late middle age.