Floyd Landis - Admission of Doping - The Armstrong Myth

On Friday, April 23, 2010, I authored the following post for Pappillon: "LeMond was clean; maybe Ullrich could have been, too?" In it, I wrote:

"I'll give L.A. credit for protecting himself by linking the fortunes of so many individuals and organizations to his own fate, thereby creating a determined network of defenders. I think it highly likely possible, however, that someone in his inner circle will break the omertà eventually, however, and he'll may be a big enough name not to be marginalized. Who this courageous individual might be, I dare not do not know and will not speculate, but he is may be out there, waiting."

Obviously that day is upon us, and that person is none other than Floyd Landis.

Floyd Landis is incredibly courageous in coming forth now to finally share his true experiences in the world of professional cycling and at the side of Lance Armstrong. The culture of doping is so pervasive in our sport that it encourages good people to do bad things. But Floyd is now doing the right thing, and telling the truth. I support him fully and unequivocally, and in no way doubt the veracity of any of the statements he's made regarding doping at USPS and Phonak. As for Lance Armstrong, the accusations against him cast serious doubt upon his credibility, and have forever altered the "Armstrong Myth."

UPDATED: It’s very easy for Lance Armstrong, Pat McQuaid and others to say that Floyd Landis has no credibility after his having claimed for four years that he was a clean rider. But it’s often only after the doping lie has nearly consumed you that it becomes possible to let go of the lie – face the truth – and admit to yourself, your family, and the world the magnitude of what you’ve done. What choice did Floyd have? Keep lying? For what? To protect a system that ground him up and spit him out like dirt? Everyone says that in cycling there is Omertà. But at least the mafia takes care of its own. In cycling you’re expected to keep quiet, deny the truth and protect your former teammates and rivals, even as they call you a crazy bastard and say you’re a pathetic egoist. No, Floyd Landis is a courageous man, because he no longer is willing to perpetuate a lie – and the Armstrong Myth. I support him unequivocally and have no reason to doubt the veracity of his claims.

Bonnie Ford at ESPN provides coverage here.  
WSJ here.
NY Daily News - here.
Late to the party: The NY Times.