This response from the UCI- as read on cyclingnews.com
My Take: The UCI’s response… basically a ZERO response, with no intention to investigate anything- and that the accused people should defend themselves (if necessary)… laughable at best, complicit at worst. The land of Ostriches. Ironic- because Landis fingered the UCI as one of the culpable individuals- by saying that Armstrong tested positive once and that a financial agreement with the UCI was made in order to keep the news confidential. I guess the UCI is in denial like everyone else- or likes money more than the truth.
UCI President Pat McQuaid told the Associated Press that Landis’ allegations were “scandalous and mischievous.”
“These guys coming out now with things like this from the past is only damaging the sport. If they’ve any love for the sport they wouldn’t do it,” he said.
The UCI statement said: "The International Cycling Union has learned of the declarations made by Mr. Floyd Landis and published in the Wall Street Journal.
"The UCI regrets that Mr. Landis has publicly accused individuals without allowing sufficient time for the relevant US authorities to investigate.
"An impartial investigation is a fundamental right, as Mr. Landis will understand having contested, for two years, the evidence of his breach of the Anti-Doping Rules in 2006.
“The UCI will leave it to the individuals accused by Mr. Landis to take the position they see fit with regards to this issue.”
If they didn’t want to listen to Joe Papp name names, and they take $100,000+ donations from riders, why do you think they would listen to Landis?
Agreed, the worst possible response that I could imagine, what a joke…
Actually, it is not clear to me that Landis has publicly accused anyone. Didn’t this all come out from a leak to the WSJ? Perhaps he has verified the facts subsequent to the leak but where did the leak come from? If it came from Landis, shame on him. If it came from USADA, shame on them. Without due process, everything loses credibility. It is why the original Landis investigation was so controversial, not enough attention to proper due process.
What it tells me (and indirectly all other pro cyclists)- is that the head- the UCI- is saying- we won’t do anything about this/look into this/no repercussions for you if you keep your mouth shut. So Pro Tour cyclists- please deny everything this ‘crackpot’ Landis is saying.
The UCI could have (lied) and said they will look into it (but truly not look into anything)- which might mean they inadvertently get other cyclists admitting guilt (which spits in the money train soup for everyone else- including UCI)… So they were totally blunt in (what I think) a last ditch effort by the UCI to keep control. This is a former Tour Winner (not a pack fodder no result rider), and on the team of the 7 time tour winner comes with lots of info- and he’s not even going to be questioned by the UCI for any more details… unfreaking believable.
The federal guy that investigated BALCO is on the case though, along with USADA, and WADA- so they might find details that the UCI would ultimately have to face.
Could not agree more on the comments from uci. Lemond said they were corrupt some time ago.
Is it any surprise that the greatest doped cyclist of all time has the UCI in his pocket?
What’s that fine print on my UCI license? CYA and STFU.
Well if that’s the way they’re going to handle it, I refuse to turn pro. 