Floyd Landis, winner of this year's Tour de France and currently preparing the trial of his doping case, will release all the information which makes up his defense on his personal website this week, according to USA Today. The key points of his probable defense against charges he illegally used doping products to win the race were outlined in a PowerPoint presentation, which Landis intends to make public in the coming days, together with 300 pages of documentation.
As one of the key points of his defense, Landis will argue that the analysis work performed by French Anti-Doping laboratory in Châtenay-Malabry was sloppy. While he did not contest that the positive sample was indeed his own, Landis will emphasize that officials made mistakes in filling out the testing forms with his urine sample number. The incorrect number was covered over with correction fluid, and Landis' number was overwritten, while WADA testing protocol actually requires that any corrections should be done "with a single line through and the change should be initialed and dated by the individual making the change." That was not done on Landis' test form.
Moreover, Landis will criticise the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, whose Review Board rejected his request for a summary dismissal of the charges without hearing the evidence. With a teleconference planned to discuss his request on September 18, the later letter notifying the rider of their rejection was dated September 15, three days before the teleconference.
Landis will also argue that his positive results from the carbon isotope test are incorrect, because the data indicated that he was out of acceptable range in only one of four testosterone breakdown products examined. All four must be abnormal for a test to be considered positive for an illegal testosterone-to-epitestosterone ratio, he asserted.
The USADA hearing, which will also be open to the public, may not be held for several months.
Cyclingnews' coverage of the Floyd Landis case
September 28, 2008 - Landis takes case to US federal court
September 10, 2008 - Landis signing with current Health Net-Maxxis team for 2009
July 1, 2008 - CAS delivers final blow to Landis legal challenge
June 30, 2008 - Landis loses final appeal
June 28, 2008 - Landis decision due Monday
March 12, 2008 - Landis' judgment day nears
October 21, 2007 - Landis files appeal with CAS
October 18, 2007 - AFLD takes another look at Landis case
Thursday, October 11 - Landis continues fight, appeals to CAS
Saturday, September 22 - UCI officially names Pereiro 2006 Tour champion, Landis case raises issues
Friday, September 21 - Landis' appeal denied, two year suspension levied
Cyclingnews' complete coverage of the Floyd Landis case
