This is a longer version of a story that appears in Friday morning's York Daily Record.
It was the one topic everyone wanted to discuss.
Lancaster County native Floyd Landis tested positive for high levels of testosterone (Latest news). The legitimacy of his Tour de France victory is in question. And professional cycling appears to be preparing for another public relations beating in its fight against doping.
At Adventure Cycling & Fitness on West Market Street, a handful of customers asked for details. And the store’s staff couldn’t help but wonder what happened.
“We think it’s a huge deal,� Adventure mechanic Ed Carskadon, 37, said, “but we think that they’re jumping to conclusions right now. They don’t have results from the ‘B’ (or backup) sample yet.
“They test the yellow jersey every time. Why haven’t we heard about any other positive tests? Testosterone isn’t something you can drink (and gain immediate benefits).�
Carskadon traveled to France last season to watch the Tour de France from the French countryside, and Landis was one of the riders he followed.
“This leaves more questions than answers,� Carskadon said. “I’m extremely skeptical.�
Landis had been the feel-good story of the summer. He annouced during the tour he would need to have his hip replaced in the coming weeks or months. He looked vulnerable at times, dropping from first to 11th after one particularly bad day in the Alps. But a spirited solo assault in stage 17 brought him back into contention for the overall lead, prompting analysts to call the effort one of the greatest rides in recent memory.
But now the question is: Did he cheat?
“Everyone comes in and says, ‘Did you hear about Floyd?’� said Manchester Township’s Gung Ho Bikes owner Jay Zech.
Zech recalled seeing Landis at local bike races in the late 1980’s. “I remember him riding ... in like long sweat pants and just killing everyone. His race motto was, ‘Eat lots of chocolate and take lots of chances.’�
Zech said there is a lot of room for Landis to be innocent.
“I hope that he didn’t take any drugs,� Zech said.
Landis’ story is unusual. He was raised by a devout Mennonite family in Lancaster County, but left his home state to live and train in California. He joined Lance Armstrong’s U.S. Postal Service team, and developed into one of the greatest riders in the world — leaving Armstrong’s team to head the Swiss-based Phonak team.
“I was excited, they had a local guy from Lancaster County that ... the kids could look up to,� Sinking Springs resident Mike Robinson said. “Now all of a sudden, ‘Bam!’ It is shocking.�
The U.S. has produced very few cyclists who are equals to Landis. Before Greg LeMond’s rise to prominence in the 1980s, no American had won the Tour or held the overall lead.
This year George Hincapie and Landis became the fourth and fifth Americans to lead the Tour.
Many local residents were optimistic that Landis will be cleared of doping allegations.
Lisa Reed came to Small Athletic Field on Thursday to watch her daughter’s Blue Mountain Region field hockey team play in the Keystone State Games.
A Lancaster County resident, she clapped twice at the mention of Landis’ name, but pulled her hands to her mouth when told of his positive test.
“I’m not going to believe it until I see it,� she said.
Local residents seemed to be in disbelief.
“I don’t have an idea why people need drugs ... cheating,“ said Lebanon resident Jose Serrano while preparing a parking lot off Clarke Avenue in York for new concrete.
York resident Johntae King, 14, was riding his bicycle nearby. “I ride bikes from west to east,“ he said. “It would be a shame if Landis is guilty of doping, he said. But if that’s the case he should face the consequences.�
“It’s too bad. It’s just a shame,“ said Lower Windsor Township resident Steph Frey of the allegations. “I know a lot of people were really excited because he’s from this area.�
Jake Sitler, 17, is a salesperson and bike mechanic at Gung Ho.
“We ... want to have some hope,“ he said. “We’re big Floyd fans. He’s my favorite rider.“
Jason Blome owns The Cycle Works in Wrightsville.
“My initial thought was, no matter who would have won, there would be all these scandals popping up,� he said. “It will be disappointing if he was doping.“
“It’s sad,� York Country Day senior Richard Muldrow said. “More than anything a lot of people were looking up to him and wanting him to win it all and now they’re not going to know what to think.�
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