momusradar

The new Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 7970 gear-shifter sounds great for real racing cyclists. I can’t help but be concerned, though, that it will be the new rage with the roadie posers that litter the roads here in Northern New Jersey.

From the N.Y. Times article Landis’s Positive Doping Test Upheld:

If Landis does not appeal, he will be the first Tour champion in the 105-year history of the race to lose his title because of doping.

With two positive tests and a 2-1 decision against him from the arbitration panel, his chances of winning an appeal certainly look slim.

This ruling is a blow to athletes and cyclists everywhere… For the Panel to find in favor of USADA when, with respect to so many issues, USADA did not manage to prove even the most basic parts of their case shows that this system is fundamentally flawed. I am innocent, and we proved I am innocent.

Regardless of whether the system is flawed or not, if he actually proved himself innocent, then the panel should have agreed with his arguments.

…in June, during an autograph session for his book, Positively False, Landis said he likely would not appeal the arbitrators’ decision if it went against him, mostly because of the cost of such a process.

What is flawed about the appellate system is that it is so costly. Then again see my first comment.