This is only the results of the 1st test, and according to the rules, there must be a positive test on the "B" sample as well in order to conclusively incriminate Landis. Still, it doesn't look very good for the home team, as his denial is rather weak, and his team has suspended him.
It's a shame. Though I still don't follow cycling very much, my interest in the sport increased when I was in France, and it was nice to see another American with a feel-good story win the Tour. And with many of the sport's top figures already under heavy suspicion of doping, it is a double shame.
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
Yeah, this sucks.
AJ
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
I don't understand drug testing. Since testosterone is a naturally occurring hormone, as well -- how can they tell if it was "artificially taken" as opposed to just whether his own body over-produced it during the stress of the race?
Posted by DarkKnight (Member # 7536) on :
They can usually tell by the ratio. I don;t think Landis has said anything so he doesn't have a denial or a positive statement out there, and all cycling teams suspend their riders pending an investigation.
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
Ratio of?
Ratio of amount of drug for the volume of blood? Again, how would this determine his own body didn't just over-produce?
Posted by DarkKnight (Member # 7536) on :
From the article
quote: Under World Anti-Doping Agency regulations, a ratio of testosterone to epitestosterone greater than 4:1 is considered a positive result and subject to investigation. The threshold was recently lowered from 6:1. The most likely natural ratio of testosterone to epitestosterone in humans is 1:1.
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
Must've missed that paragraph. Thanks for the explanation.
Posted by DarkKnight (Member # 7536) on :
I hope it isn't true though. I've always thought Landis was a very hard worker so I am still hoping for a bad test result.
Posted by James Tiberius Kirk (Member # 2832) on :
There's a report out now that in all likelihood his body did overproduce as a response to pain medication he was taking. A guy on WTOP says they have it from a "very reliable source" that this will clear up in a few days.
I hope it does -- it was an amazing comeback.
--j_k
Posted by DarkKnight (Member # 7536) on :
I soooooooooo hope that is true. He really had a bad day and a bad day in the mountains can crush you. He had said that he didn't eat or drink enough and I know what that can do to you when cycling. Do you a link for that JTK?
Posted by James Tiberius Kirk (Member # 2832) on :
I wish. I've been looking for it, but I can't find info anywhere else.
--j_k
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
Athletes, even female ones often have higher testosterone counts than average people.
I thought I read somewhere once that a body in pain would produce a higher testosterone count. Anyone have any further information on that...I tried hunting for it but came up with a few sites that I can not access. This could account for a higher Testosterone count since he does have his hip problem.