Landis Loses Final Appeal on Tour Title
AP
Posted: 2008-06-30 16:00:37
Filed Under: Sports
LAUSANNE, Switzerland (June 30) - Floyd Landis lost his final chance to retain
his 2006 Tour de France title Monday, the last step of a long,
multimillion-dollar process that poked holes in the anti-doping establishment
but ultimately left the cyclist as just another convicted cheater.

A three-person panel at the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld a previous
panel's decision, ruling his positive doping test during the Tour two years ago
was, indeed, valid. Landis also must pay $100,000 toward the legal fees of the
U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.

In its 58-page decision, the CAS panel said the lab that analyzed Landis'
positive test results used some "less than ideal laboratory practices, but not
lies, fraud, forgery or cover-ups," the way the Landis camp had alleged.

In the end, the panel saved its harshest criticism for Landis, who it said
essentially tried to muddle the evidence and embarrass the French lab, and
continued on that course even after the evidence was shown not to exist.

"Appelant's experts crossed the line, acting for the most part as advocates for
the Appelant's cause, and not as scientists objectively assisting the Panel in
the search for truth," the decision read.

Landis did not immediately return messages.

"We are pleased that justice was served and that Mr. Landis was not able to
escape the consequences of his doping or his effort to attack those who protect
the rights of clean athletes," said USADA chief executive officer Travis Tygart.

The decision comes just six days before the start of the 2008 Tour. Landis won
the 2006 edition after a stunning comeback in Stage 17, a rally that turned out
to be fueled by synthetic testosterone.

The ruling upholds Landis' two-year ban from cycling, which is due to end Jan.
29, 2009, though at this point, the ban wasn't the real issue.


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