Floyd Stops Being a Pro

Sorry that I haven't posted in a while. I've been slogging up the false flat hill of lots of other crap to do. But I think that I've got most of that taken care of now. And I should be back to posting on a little more consistent basis. Hope all is well and that you haven't forsaken me totally yet. Thanks to you guys that haven't.



Floyd Landis announced that he if quitting professional cycling immediately. He told ESPN.com that he was quitting because after months of trying he couldn't find a paying gig in cycling. And rather than keep beating his head against the wall (my words, not his) he was just going to throw in the towel.

A lot of you I'm sure know my stance on Floyd (if not, you can read it here). I don't think there are very many top level pro's out there that haven't touched the hot sauce as Jonathan Vaughters liked to call it. And there have been a lot of confessed dopers out there that have done their time and come back to the sport without much fuss. And maybe because of the level at which Floyd's busting occurred (I mean the Tour de France is pretty much the pinnacle of cycling's existence). It just put such a bad taste in everyones mouth that Floyd just was never going to be able to come back from it. Or maybe it just shows how strong the omerta in cycling really is. That if a guy dares to bite the hand that once fed him. That the backlash would be swift and permanent. 




I do know that when anyone brings Lance Armstrong into a doping conversation that he is a VERY polarizing figure. I've gotten in talks with people that were both really intriguing and completely disheartening when the subject of Lance's innocence comes into play.  I don't think anyone will deny all the impressive things he's done in cycling or for the cause of cancer. But when people's beliefs in something comes into the conversation it's no longer rational. Morality and rationality rarely play nice together.




So I guess what I'm trying to say with all that round about talk is that Floyd is just to hot to touch for anyone in the professional ranks. Which is to bad. Because I think he has a lot to offer a team. I don't really think he'd ever have made it back to the Tour de France. Not because of fitness, but just because of politics.  I believe he's still a wanted man in France. And that would certainly put a damper on any European campaign he might have wanted to do.




In his interview with ESPN.com he said he didn't want to come across as bitter about leaving cycling. And I don't know if it was how the piece was edited or not but it still seemed like he was a bit. Not that I could blame him on that front. It's got to be like seeing something that you once loved and adored broken to bits on the floor knowing that there was no way to put it back together again. Mostly of your own doing. Which probably makes even that much harder.



But with Sports Illustrated coming out with guns a blazing for Lance. Maybe Floyd could see the writing on the wall. And got out while the getting is good. Which ever way you slice it it's not good for cycling. If it's all true, it's damning and if it's not. Well then its just dragging cycling through the mud some more.



Floyd said he didn't think that professional cycling could be fixed. That the problems were to deeply ingrained. I hope he's wrong on that count. However I don't think racing will ever stop. As long as there are to guys and a finish line people will compete. Weather its an equal competition or not is certainly up in the air.  But considering cycling history. I kind of doubt it..

Good luck Floyd. I hope you find what you are looking for.



Rubber side down,

Big E