Doubting Martin Dugard Part 2

Whew! Martin Dugard is in a defensive stance since his bomb shell revelation that Floyd Landis "confessed" to him that Lance Armstrong used PEDs. I want to know more, Martin. How about providing us with more information? Tabloid style.

Because if you made this Armstrong accusation in order to sensationalize yourself then you deserve whatever punishment you get. So, no, the story is not over. It does not end with the Court of Arbitration of Sport for you Martin. You have to answer for yourself.

How dare you call us cycling fans "quasi?" You think we live in a bubble unaware of the realities of life? Let me set the record straight for you Martin. When Tyler Hamilton was suspended for blood doping I thought he was very guilty. I laughed outright at his refusal to admit to the "truth" and I thought his Tyler Hamilton Foundation was a joke. "Believe Tyler!" sure, you bet. But after a M.D. in blood doping made a forum comment that a transfusion of another person's blood would not improve your performance, that people are born with foreign antibodies, that the foreign antibodies found in Tyler Hamilton's tests were no greater than random events, and that DNA strand testing would have proved the issue once and for all, I began to have doubts. The M.D. also swore that the testing method's used by WADA were insufficient to prove the Adverse Analytical Finding. Campbell argued the same issues at length in his Tyler Hamilton case dissent. I doubt that Alexander Vinokurov and Andrey Kashekin are positive as well. So, Martin, you have to accept new information with an "open mind."

Unlike ASO and AMGEN who have passed judgement upon the un-repentant, un-washed, un-confessed dopers in our mists be they American or otherwise. I speak of Tyler Hamilton that AMGEN refused to allow to race the Tour of California although he had clearance to race from USA Cycling. Alexander Vinokurov who refuses to confess even though Chatenay-Malabry discovered a "double red blood cell population." Astana was forced to withdraw from the 2007 Tour de France over this blood doping accusation and now Astana is being prevented from racing in RCS and ASO events. The testing methods are insufficient to prove the AAF and teams are being denied invitations to racing, after the fact? Smoke and mirrors, Martin. This is no bubble world of denial of what is happening in cycling these days. These truths are self evident and if someone does not monitor the situation and ask questions the abuse of power will continue.

So, Martin, you are entitled to your opinion and I am entitled to mine. I don't believe you. I don't believe that Floyd Landis told you in confidence that Lance Armstrong used PEDs. Also, I do not believe that Floyd Landis told Greg LeMond that he used PEDs in the 2006 Tour de France. In America a man has the opportunity to confront his accusers. This is called due process. This opportunity was denied Floyd Landis in the kangaroo court of an AAA hearing. LeMond was whisked out of the court room in a rush before anyone could cross examine his motives and agenda. What a farce.

I am flabbergasted by Will Geoghegan and his deplorable phone call too, Martin. I don't know if Floyd Landis and Will Geoghegan were drinking shots of whiskey at the time or not. I don't know if the phone call was intended as a practical joke or not. I don't care. You can call it black mail or witness tampering if you want to. You can base Landis' lack of character on this call if you want to. Some people have said that if Floyd Landis can sit in the same room with a fool of a business manager who would prank call Greg LeMond in such a crass fashion then he sure can use dope. Okay, I have heard that argument a thousand times. I disagree because I don't know how much control Floyd Landis had over Will Geoghegan at the time. But I do concede this: the damage to Floyd Landis' character will last forever. I do agree with you here Martin, Floyd Landis sowed the seeds of doubt in everyone's minds. Nobody is to blame but Floyd Landis, enough said.

I am disgusted most by the opportunity Floyd Landis gave Greg LeMond to continue with his crusade as the "saint" of cycling. Greg LeMond recently told an audience that the Will Geoghegan call was the worst thing that had ever happened in his life. Right. Worse than being swindled out of a Tour de France victory by Hinault, worse than being shot by his cousin, much worse than being sexually molested by his uncle, and much, much, worse than being threatened by Lance Armstrong. Allegedly. Floyd how could you do such a stupid thing? Never give a big baby like LeMond a soap box to cry from. People might begin to feel sorry for Greg LeMond and blame you, Floyd Landis. How could you?

Bottom line Martin. If Floyd Landis confesses that he used synthetic testosterone then I will apologise to everyone that I have argued with over the past eighteen months. I will admit that I am a fool. Otherwise, no. I don't flip flop on issues like you do without convincing proof. And I don't drag in comparisons to Marion Jones or Barry Bonds unless it is to illustrate a point about the deplorable state of journalistic integrity today. If you want to write an article about Marion Jones or Barry Bonds, the clear, BALCO, and deceit, do so. But stop mixing apples with oranges. Don't equate Floyd Landis with Marion Jones or Barry Bonds. Landis, Jones, and Bonds have nothing in common.

Now then Martin, I can appreciate that you have an opinion, but in future do the rest of the cycling family a favor and keep your unconvincing, narcissistic, ego driven opinions to yourself.