Tour shocked by Landis positive test
Tour shocked by Landis positive test
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Thursday, 27, Jul 2006 10:20
While the cycling world waits on the results of Tour de France winner Floyd Landis' second sample, serious repercussions loom over the sport if the American is found to have cheated.
Pre-race favourites Ivan Basso of Italy and German Jan Ullrich were both suspended from the competition after being linked to a Spanish blood-doping scandal, but hopes that the world's premier road-race would pass free from scandal have been thwarted.
The race's attraction for sponsors and broadcasters may wane in light of the latest turmoil.
Nikolaus Brender, editor-in-chief of German television station ZDF, underlined the effect of the latest dent to the Tour's reputation.
"We signed a broadcasting contract for a sporting event, not a show demonstrating the performances of the pharmaceutical industry," he said.
"We are going to think about our future as broadcaster and maybe refuse to broadcast this event."
Even the man who would profit most from Landis being stripped of his title, current runner-up Oscar Pereiro, is hoping for the winner's name to be cleared.
"I have a bittersweet feeling because it is bad news for cycling, and I would prefer to remain second and that they don't confirm the positive," said the Spaniard.
"Should I win the Tour now it would feel like an academic victory. The way to celebrate a win is in Paris, otherwise it's just a bureaucratic win."
The results from the all-important B sample are expected over the weekend.