The Floyd Landis Tour of innocence hit Chicago yesterday (March 10) and your editor was in attendance (well, actually Wilmette, a northern suburb of Chicago).
As regular readers know, we have been following this case closely. So with video camera in tow, we recorded the 20 minute presentation by Landis adviser Dr. Arnie Baker and the almost 50 minutes of Q&A that followed by Floyd, Dr, Baker, the Floyd Fairness Fund executive director Michael Hensen and his coach Robbie Ventura. The videos have been uploaded to youtube and the sound and picture quality is excellent.
What follows is some notes on what is on each video link (youtube limits a video to 10 minutes in length) but first some general comments:
The first Chicago stop on the tour of innocence was an auction at H. Marion framing in Glenview Friday night. Over the 4 hours it is estimated that 200 to 300 people attended. Approximately $15,000 was raised.
The Saturday afternoon
stop was at the Wilmette Theatre. Approximately 140 people watched the
presentation and Q&A. An auction was held afterwords. Another
$8,000 to $10,000 was raised at this event.
Saturday even a dinner was held for approximately 30 at E.J. restaurant where Dr. Baker reviewed his slide show again with some extras.
Floyd then went to a 10PM paid appearance.
Baker’s slide show changes with every presentation as new information is included and old information edited. As such most of it will be familiar to anyone pay attention to his case. If you have not seen it, the 20 minutes of video below might be well worth your time.
Possible New Information – Did They Test The Wrong Sample?
If one new bit of information came to light Saturday (new to us anyway) was with the labeling error that Baker details early in the first video.
Last fall, the Landis camp got some traction noting that the sample numbers on lab documentation was incorrect. After initially laughing at this revelation, anti-doping officials did admit to some “typing errors” in the lab documentation. Great debate followed as to what, if any, meaning this had. It was concluded that this was not a case of the wrong sample being tested, but of sloppy lab work.
Baker now tells us that the incorrect sample number in Floyd's documentation was actually the sample number of another rider that was tested on stage 19 (the riders sample numbers are the same throughout the tour, not specific to each test). Furthermore, that other sample was also tested at the LNDD on the same day as Floyd’s! This cast the labeling error in a whole new light. The labeling error could have been more than just an innocent typographical error as another sample with that number was tested the same day in that same lab!
More Possible New News – Open Hearing for 500?
Another bit of new news was the May 14 arbitration hearing will be open at Pepperdine university. Further, the Landis camp is asking for Pepperdine’s largest room, which has seating for 500! They expect hordes of media and a real possibility of a live broadcast. They also said they are continuing discussions with USADA on the definition of “open.”
OK, on to the Videos
Baker's Chicago Presentation (part 1 of 2) – 9:54
The video starts about two minutes into the presentation due to some unforeseen technical problems.
This video covers Baker discussing:
the wrong sample number (as discussed above),
whether the specimen was contaminated,
the radically different t/e ratios and,
sloppy lab work.
Baker's Chicago Presentation (part 2 of 2) – 9:59
This video covers Baker discussing:
why the test was not positive,
how WADA violated their own rules,
the differing standards for a positive test among the labs,
why the Paris lab’s (LNDD) standards are clearly absurd
why Floyd actually had low levels of testosterone despite many media reports to the contrary
how the test was not anonymous,
no “review” from the “review board”,
why WADA should sanction the LNDD for its poor work and,
a review of documents showing numerous mistakes made on other tests by this lab (the so-called “hacker” documents).
It concludes with a summary and brief discussion of the Floyd Fairness Fund.
Landis Chicago Presentation (part 1 of 5) – 9:57
Robbie Ventura (former teammate on U.S. Postal and now Floyd’s Chicago-area based coach) introduces Floyd. Floyd makes some brief introductory remarks and Floyd, Dr. Baker, Michael Hensen and Robbie Ventura answer questions.
Baker talks about discovery
Landis talks about his hip replacement and limited training
Baker discusses why the other 8 tests performed at the tour were not positive and what this might mean.
Landis talks about stage 17 and the poor tactics by the peleton that lead to his 9 minutes advantage.
Ventura follows up on these tactics
Landis Chicago Presentation (part 2 of 5) – 9:53
Continuing the Q&A:
Ventura finishes his discussion from the last video
Landis denies media report he talked to Eddy Merykx the night before stage 17.
Baker discusses how the same lab technician performed the A and B sample tests in violation of Wada rules. A similar violation, at this same lab, lead to the dismissal of a similar case (Landaluze)
Landis talks more about stage 17
Landis talks about the new UCI doping rules, but does not have a real opinion
Landis talks about how the hearing will be open, at Pepperdine University, start on May 14 and take about a week
Landis said that they are prevented from posting more information on their website about this case because of a gag order they agreed to in order to obtain more documents. This is why none of the version of the presentations presented are currently on-line (we knew this which is why we brought our video camera!)
Hensen talks about the need for the wiki defense and how difficult it has been to fight USADA for more documents.
Landis Chicago Presentation (part 3 of 5) – 9:48
Continuing the Q&A:
Hensen talks about the new UCI doping rules
Landis is asked about anti-Americanism in the peleton
Baker says the AFLD is easier to deal with than USADA
Landis is asked to look the crowd in the eye and say he did not dope. He does to applause
Landis talks about his life in the first few days after the doping news broke
Landis talks about riding the tour with Lance and having bad days
Hensen talks about the Floyd Fairness fund and some of the team sponsored doping controls such as T-Mobile and CSC
Landis Chicago Presentation (part 4 of 5) – 10:00
Continuing the Q&A:
Landis talks about stage 14 and other great stages he has had in his five tours
Baker talks about the watts output on stage 17
Ventura talks about Floyd’s performance during the tour
Landis talks about his future. Even if the case was dismissed tomorrow, he would not race this year. He’s not in race shape and would not join a team just to suffer at the back of the peleton
Landis talks about changing public perception about his case
Landis is asked about his discussions with Hamilton, Armstrong and other teammates. All are supportive but there is little they can do for him.
Baker discusses the half-life of testosterone and why Floyd was not positive on his next test 48 hours later
Landis Chicago Presentation (part 5 of 5) – 8:20
Continuing the Q&A:
Baker finishes his discussion above
Landis talks about the decision to go public
Baker talks about how he got involved in the case and adds to the discussion to go public
Hensen talks about trying to change public perception and how everybody’s opinion about this case is from the first 72 hours last July
Landis talks about participating on the Daily Peleton Forum (he was bored stuck at home recovery from hip surgery).
Lastly, if watching these videos is not your gig, then see the excellent discussion (and pictures) of yesterday’s events over at Rant Your Head Off
Wow, that's coverage! Thanks a lot, this was a lot of effort to do.
much appreciated.
TBV
James - thanks. Truth be told it wasn;t as hard as you would think. You tube is very easy to use. I guess that why it went from an idea for a $1.65 billion copyright violating machine in less than two years.
Posted by: trust but verify | 03/11/2007 at 11:26
Greatly appreciated. I can't remember everything so it was wonderful for even those of us who were there to review. BTW, I found the coverage byt the Trib and Sun Times to be remarkable anemic and unenlightening.
catherine
James ....
c,
I'm not so forgiving of the press. Their lazy, they don't want to do any heavy lifting and looking at, and understanding, Baker's facts is too hard. Maybe Baker has some things wrong, but has he been challenged by anyone? No, this requires time and background and the only person that seems to have bother isn't even a sports reporter (Michael Hiltzik).
Over on Rant's blog he noted the Chicago press was hitting FL with hard questions. I noted their are no hard questions for FL. It is what it is. Their are, however, very hard questions for Arnie Baker. He's the one that should be put the meat grinder by the press. It is his arguments that are going to drive this case. Yet, from the impression I get, he's a spectator in all these grillings. The press is too stupid to know they don't know.
So, it is easier to ask FL about the "emotions" surrounding the first 72 hours. It easier to not know what to do and ask random people in the crowd about their "feelings" as if that matters.
Lastly, I think their is a group think at play too. Is easier to assume he's guilty and they writing about a "stunning reversal of events" should the hearing go FL's way. If they actually show some sympathy for FL before his hearing, and he is found guilty, then they THINK they are encouraging doping. It's all so screwed up.
Posted by: catherine | 03/11/2007 at 20:38
Jim,
Excellent coverage. Thanks for taking the time to put all of this together.
- Rant
Posted by: Daniel M | 03/11/2007 at 21:42
Putting them on a limited production may help a bit.
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