<p>The issue is his testosterone/epitestosterone ratio. It’s considered to be a failed drug test if it’s greater than 6/1. Everyone’s is different, and alcohol consumption, among other things, increases the ratio.</p>
<p>Landis’ situation is sketchy, but not at all conclusive, at least right now.</p>
<p>I’m a little surprised that cyclists would dope with testosterone anyway - the drug of choice is EPO, which is a lot more cycling-relevant - but I’m told that testosterone can increase recovery speed.</p>
<p>Actually, the allowable ratio under the UCI rules is 4:1. Normal males are generally 1:1. Since it’s a ratio, and giving Landis the benefit of doubt (for now), the testosterone level could be fairly normal; the epitestosterone level abnormally low, and the ratio would exceed the allowable level. Who knows.</p>
<p>And this beer argument (the effects of alcohol consumption on the urinary testosterone/epitestosterone ratio) is nearly as hilarious as Tyler Hamilton’s chimera defense.</p>
<p>Eddy–
I’m not really well versed in bicycling, so when I saw your post, I thought Tyler’s defense might just indicate a good vocabulary. But–blood transfusions? Beer defense vis-a-vis testosterone levels? I guess I’ve just never appreciated how important the Tour de France actually is to so many.</p>
<p>As far as I know (someone barge in if I’m wrong), Landis hasn’t said anything about alcohol. For all I know the man doesn’t even drink. I just brought it up as an example of a factor that could influence T/epi-T ratio.</p>
<p>Another interesting consideration is that the body produces extra testosterone when it’s trying to heal itself. Landis has a degenerative hip condition.</p>
<p>I’m waiting to see how this plays out before deciding whether I think he’s innocent or guilty.</p>
<p>Oh, and Eddy, nice username. And thanks for the correction on UCI rules.</p>
<p>The UCI rules used to be 6:1 ratio of testosterone to epi testosterone; it was recently changed, both by cycling and running organizations. Apparently there is enormous variation in men. Floyd is being treated with cortisone shots for his hip–for which he has permission–as well as thryroid medications. There are tests which differentiate between natural testosterone and synthetic testosterone, and I hope that the B sample will be tested using those mechanisms (which are expensive and not done routinely).</p>
<p>For those of you who are surprised that people care so much about the Tour, I’ll point out that a lot more people care about the Superbowl–but that the Tour is similar. In fact, more people watch the Tour live than watch the Superbowl–but that’s because it takes 20 days and 2200 miles, which means there’s a lot of space on the side of the road to watch it go by.</p>
<p>"My immediate reaction was to look for the alcohol bottle,‘’ joked Landis, who’s known to enjoy a beer while on the Tour and said he drank some whiskey with teammates the night before he staked his stunning comeback in the Alps.</p>
<p>Even if Sample B comes back positive, it doesn’t mean shiet. Someone with enough motive to switch, taint and/or lie about blood samples will do so. I am, of course, not accusing the French of doing so though. (rolls eyes)</p>
<p>Two weeks ago, I got on a bike for the first time in 25 years. I am now up to four miles, going slowly, no hills thank you. </p>
<p>I am planning to fly over to join next year’s Tour de France. I figured I’d compete for Mr. Conviviality. But if only 1.75 billion more people get disqualified for drug use, I could be competing for the championship! ;)</p>
<p>Seems he ups the intake with each telling. One beer. Two beers. A couple of shots. Four shots and a couple of beers.</p>
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<p>It is, indeed. Especially to sponsors, who contribute millions to these teams. And to Americans, most of whom could not cite another professional bike race. And to the French, who clearly resent the lack of a French winner since Bernard Hinault last won in 85.</p>
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<p>With a little work, maybe we can challenge that wonderful thread on the Duke lax fiasco, huh?</p>
<p>Cycling has a long and undistinguished history of doping. As do most sports (see, e.g., swimming, cross country skiing, baseball, ). To its credit, cycling (along with cc skiing) has implemented sever policies that do punish offenders. And the Europeans take it all a bit more seriously than we have, with criminal penalties for doping violations. And a guilty until innocent approach with which Americans are uncomfortable.</p>
<p>Sadly for Landis, this test results follows on the heels of so many top riders being banned from this years Tour and other events (related to this Operation Puerto inquiry). Some unjustly, it now appears. For example, all of the Comunidad Valenciana riders named in Operation Puerto have been cleared of any involvement by a Spanish court, but subsequent to being banned from the Vuelta (Spains Tour). Nevertheless, cycling has suffered too many black eyes to avoid overreacting to any positive test.</p>
<p>And, with the exception of only a couple of riders who get caught (David Millar comes to mind), no one ever admits to having used banned substances (see Tyler Hamilton). I should note, when it comes to the French, the double standard still applies, as when Richard Virenque repeatedly denied using drugs, finally admitted guilt, as was welcomed back to the Tour to continue his assault on the polka dot jersey. What a guy. What a country.</p>
<p>Back in 1967, the admitted doper Alan Simpson dies during the Tour while climbing Mount Ventoux. The problem existed then, and it does today. If I were the cynical sort (well, I am), Id suggest that drug use permeates pro cycling, and the difference between those who get caught and those who dont relates more to the quality of the medical advise than to anything else.</p>
<p>Maybe we should stop testing, and allow the drug companies to sponsor these riders. </p>
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<p>But then poor Mini would not have the opportunity to ride the next Tour.</p>
And thanks for the correction on UCI rules.</p>