Oregon Cycling Magazine

by Dave Campbell 

This month, we turn to racing enthusiast and commentatator Dave Campbell for his take on the doping scandals that have rocked the competitive cycling world. As this issue goes to press, the Tour de France scandal has yet to be resolved; Floyd Landis, the embattled winner of the Tour, faces the prospect of losing his title and his reputation, and Dave Campbell just wants a good explanation.

As a rabid cycling fan, I always watch the Tour de France with great interest and after nearly twenty-five years in the sport, I am in awe of the level of coverage we now get in this country. Twenty years ago the sport got a ten minute highlight once a week and now I choose from five different 2-3 hour time slots, including live coverage! It was devastating to watch Floyd Landis crumble while wearing the leader’s jersey, but absolutely spectacular to see his audacious attack the following day. It was an exploit like the Tour hasn’t seen in ages, a brave move of a true champion, a legend. It inspired my training, put a spring in my step, and I thought of how I could use Floyd’s story of determination to motivate and encourage the athletes I coach or the students in my classroom.

However, soon my friends, co-workers, and athletes were no longer asking my opinion on these exploits or sharing my enthusiasm for a great race but rather asking me about the ensuing drug scandal! We are hearing all the same rhetoric we have heard before as the rider, his coaches, and team grasp at straws… maybe the beer the night before triggered the positive (yeah, that seems likely… one beer tripled his testosterone) or even that it was the same French lab that was “out to get” Lance Armstrong. Keep in mind the limit is 4:1 and he tested 11:1. Some issues stick out… Floyd had fourteen tests (including six at the Tour) this year and all were negative, surely his own “naturally high levels” would have triggered another positive prior to the one taken after his key stage. And what of Floyd’s angry, aggressive behavior beyond the line upon finishing his incredible breakaway? Clearly, he was fired up but we would also expect some elation and fatigue and not just hurling water bottles at pressing journalists, correct?

Not surprisingly, the contrived responses (often through legal counsel) continue to fly and continue to numb us: all the riders ejected before the Tour began each still proclaim their innocence and vow to fight on, Barry Bonds maintains he was given “flax seed oil”, Tyler Hamilton (whose credibility is exactly ZERO after his name was all over the seized Fuentes files before the Tour) insists the blood test is flawed, and Justin Gatlin is the victim of a vindictive masseur. Please. Most of the reports of what really happens in sports today come from those with an axe to grind (Spanish pro cyclist Jesus Manzano) or a fall guy (Festina soigneur Willy Voet) or a borderline nut-case making some bucks (Jose Canseco). The stars maintain the status quo, which apparently is dope until caught and then deny! Meanwhile, the premier sporting events and achievements continue to be tainted by those who cheat.

Instead of feeling awe and excitement for the victors, we are skeptical, doubtful, and have become jaded. In cycling, the last three grand tours, the pinnacles of the sport, have winners who have either been relegated (Heras in the Vuelta), are under suspicion (Basso in the Giro), or are currently having a positive test investigated (Landis). Is it any surprise that OLN dropped its planned highlight show last Sunday or that Germany’s major station (their star Jan Ullrich is under investigation) will likely cease to show the Tour? In the quest for fame and fortune, the cheaters have bitten the very hand that feeds them!

Mr. Landis, you clearly were raised by a family who taught you about honesty and hard work. Your sport is corrupt and dying. Now is the time… WHAT DID YOU REALLY DO? No lawyers, no excuses, just the truth. Why continue dragging cycling, your good name, the event, and all of the public’s belief in sport’s credibility through the mud for MONTHS on end while we split legal hairs? What did you take, how did you take it, and how long have you been doing this? Why did you do it? Is it the rider’s decision to dope? The managers? Are their systems in place to help? How do so many escape the tests? The only hope of fixing this horrific and pervasive problem and restoring the trust of the public is to COME CLEAN. We need the voice of a champion who feels regret and wants to see things improve. You are the right man for the job, Floyd, and THE TIME IS NOW.

Dave Campbell is a high school health and science teacher, cross-country coach, former elite cyclist, current amateur triathlete, and occasional cycling writer and announcer living in Newport, Oregon. He is responsible for Dave Campbell’s Race Trivia for each issue of this magazine.

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