Pro

by Christophe Jammet, from his blog

I just got back from the Town Hall/Auction/presentation/autograph session/beerfest that was put on by the Floyd Fairness Fund. It was a great event and I think it allowed for Floyd to make his case in a clear and direct fashion. He’s doing exactly what he needs to to clear his name, and I applaud him for it.

The event was put on at the Brooklyn Brewery , home to many a fine beer. The taps were open and a-flowin’ for this event, which made it all the better.

When Floyd came in, the place erupted. obviously this place was filled with more supporters than skeptics. And that’s fine- this event was meant to allow people to 1) Be properly informed, and 2) ask him questions.

One of the people in the crowd Asked Floyd to look him in the eye and tell him that he never used performance enhancing drugs. Point blank, in front of all those cameras.

Floyd did just that. without hesitation. This was him as his most genuine- there wasn’t any legal-ese or any run around questions. He looked everyone straight in the eye and told them what he believes to be the truth.

Arnie Baker gave a great presentation on the various flaws the regulators and powers-that-be had made in taking on Floyd. I won’t bore you with the details- you should read it, and it can be found on Floyd’s site. That presentation gives enough scientific, empirical, and logical arguments that should satisfy even the most jaded skeptic. However, it’s up to you (the jaded Internet troller) to read it. It’s obvious that we can no longer look to the media for objectivity in cases like this, where sensationalism is what sells.

It’s obvious that the doping-related accusations and scandals in that past year have turned many a starry-eyed aspiring bike racer into jaded and dismissive elitists. It’s a defense mechanism. If you just brush off any great rider in cycling by saying he/she probably dopes, it prevents you from hoping for the person- from believing in them. It’s not surprising, but it’s still sad.

Yes, sometimes cyclists have doped. However, to believe all or most of them do is to adopt an attitude that is destructive to the very sport that we love and believe in.

Afterwards there was an auction and an autograph session. I had designed some “Free Floyd” T-shirts on my own (inspired by the “Free Wynona” T-shirts that were made when she was caught shoplifting). I gave one to Floyd, who seemed to like it- i think told him where I got the inspiration from.

“Oh, great. That’s exactly who I want to be associated with- Shoplifting celebrities!”

I got him to sign an extra I had, shook his hand, and told him thanks for everything. He then asked how in the hell I ride up here when it’s this cold. I said I don’t! That’s what a trainer and rollers are for (even though I’m starting to get some serious cabin fever).

All in all, a great night. It was great to see, hear, and converse with a fantastic athlete and a great guy, and I’m sure that more than a few skeptics had their questions answered.

There’s no doubt in my mind that Floyd will have this case overturned. At least that’s where my hopes will lie. Maybe we all need to take a chance and believe in someone again. And I think Floyd’s our man.

Con

by Mr. 60%, of Cycopaths Blog

According to the Floyd Fairness Fund, the French doping case against Landis has turned into “Le Frankenstein”, and the Brooklyn Brewery was filled last night with lycra friendly villagers ready to carry torches and storm the French government’s anti-doping laboratory. The evening was equal parts press conference and pep rally. Wait, people who pay $35 to attend an event might actually be there to support FL? Shocking.

Due to his journalistic integrity, Mr. 60 was there as an impartial observer. Well, ok, maybe I was there as more of a skeptic in a ‘Lovers of the Loch Ness’ convention.

Scattered amongst Landis’ supporters were the requisite geeky die hards wearing Free Floyd t-shirts, a small number of other cynics, a couple major media camera crews, and, most importantly, a diverse group of nyvelocity celebrities (after all, it is fashion week – ed.): Lee3, E. Berend (accessorized with stylish crutches), JP, Kim Riseth, Greg Choate, and Chris Yack, among others.

The room broke out in thunderous applause when Floyd made his way through the crowd shaking hands. He was all smiles and seemingly unperturbed by his current unemployment. After a brief, gushing introduction by John Eustice, Floyd himself took the mic. “There’s no evidence I raped anybody,” he joked before shifting the audiences’ attention to Dr. Arnie Baker and his famous Power Point presentation.

Baker, doing his best impression of a used car salesman, highlighted four out of 20 or more reasons why the positive test results should be thrown out (which themselves were among “60 or 70” inconsistencies in the testing process). At one point he even offered undercoating and discounts on detailing, I believe.

The audience ooh’d and aah’d with appreciation and guffawed like incredulous scientists at all the appropriate moments. Frankly, it didn’t seem very convincing to MR. 60, but he was, admittedly, distracted at points when scanning the room for cute girls (hi Mary Lynne! hmm. where’s the hotness?).

For more details on the science of the case go here.

The stirring Braveheart moment of the evening was provided by Michael Henson, Floyd’s NYC based PR guy, who made such an impassioned plea against the great ‘injustice’ being done to Floyd that he should consider doing pro bono work for the innocence project.

Note to self: next allotted call from jail should go to Henson.

Floyd then took over the floor and immediately pleased the crowd with his ‘ah, shucks I can’t believe you’re all still with me’ humility. The question and answer period went pretty much as expected. Questions started with the typical swooning hyperbole: “First let me say that I don’t believe you would ever do anything you’re accused of, and let me secondly say that I believe in rainbow unicorns, and stage 17 was the single greatest sporting moment ever…oh dear I think I love you.” He was asked point blank whether he took any banned substances, to which he answered “no, not in the tour nor at any point in my career.”

A notable exception to the softball questions came from German journalist Sebastian Moll. He inquired about Landis’ financial situation and wondered why a well paid professional athlete would need donations from the public. Floyd’s initial reaction revealed that he’d had problems with this journo before. He even joked about letting him get away with his question this time, before getting serious and saying that his defense was costing him everything and he could only keep it up for a couple more months. Side note: Is this reporter Floyd’s bête noire? Is he the new David Walsh? If you know more, please feel free to share in the comments below.

After the questions came an auction: $2000 for a yellow jersey! Next item up for bid: a case of Jack Daniels! Seriously.

And what’s that line for over there? Autographs. What’s that you say? An additional $20? What? For his signature? Didn’t we already pay $35 to get in? Pep Rally’s don’t come cheap, and legal pads don’t buy themselves, obvs.

Despite Mr. 60’s snarky, skeptical leanings, one thing that can’t be denied: Floyd is without question a nice guy. He proved that many times over by his attendance at the roller races. He makes you want to believe him. But whether you do or not, one thing is for certain: it’s a shame he tested positive.

First two shots by Christophe Jammet, last two by Andrew LaCorte.