Waking up to NPR telling me that Floyd Landis, 2006 Tour de France Winner, just tested positive for the male sex hormone testosterone made my stomach twist and I wanted to vomit. WHY? WHY? WHY? WHY?

BBC SPORT
VELONEWS

He is currently suspended from racing until a “B” sample is tested. I cannot tell you how upset and depressed I am at this very moment. If you at all followed this years Tour you saw the most amazing display of will and courage. Well…at least I HOPE that was what I was watching.

I do not want to throw stones until there is total proof that he was doping…but I still cannot help but feel betrayed. I want to know WHY? Why do these cyclists keep pushing the limits of performance enhancers…why do they not just train & ride? Clean and simple. Is it the money? The uncontrollable need to WIN at everything in life? What is it? Somebody tell me.

A positive A sample is only the first step in the process and does not constitute proof of any rider’s use of performance-enhancing substances. -UCI Statement

As a fan, cyclist and bicycle shop owner I shame these athlete’s that stain the sport. Do they not realize that it is not only about “them” at the level they ride? It is about the people that faithfully watch them, gain inspiration from them, get on their bicycles and ride because of them.

We were so excited for Floyd that we brought in these limited edition Floyd 06 t-shirts into our shop. If he tests positive again those shirts are worthless. Then not only did he hurt and disappoint his range of fans from children to adults, but he also hurt the entire cycling community and industry.

Let’s hope that is was a fluke…that his amazing effort at Stage 17 sent his body into total chaos naturally producing too much testosterone…..Please, anything but doping. We are tired, deflated, fans and cannot take much more of this.

Finally, the ugly:
Yeah doping sucks. But, what sucks even more is how quick the media and the fans are to assume the worst. Let’s not freak out just yet. Remember, the French are always looking to bring down the American cyclists. Don’t give up hope just yet! – From Scott Fitzgeralds, FitzgeraldsBicycles.com