Arrest Warrant Issued for Cyclist Landis

(AP)  A French judge has issued an international arrest warrant for U.S. cyclist Floyd Landis in connection with a case of data hacking at a doping laboratory, France's anti-doping chief said Monday.

Pierre Bordry told The Associated Press that French judge Thomas Cassuto is seeking to question Landis about computer hacking dating back to September 2006 at the Chatenay-Malabry lab. Months earlier, the laboratory near Paris had uncovered abnormally elevated testosterone levels in Landis' samples collected in the run-up to his 2006 Tour de France victory.

Landis was stripped of his title and banned for two years.

The American cyclist unsuccessfully challenged the drug test results before an arbitration hearing in California — claiming that computer files were mishandled and erased.

"Landis used the hacked files for his defense, that's how we discovered the whole scheme," Bordry said. "He wanted to show that the lab made mistakes in the handling of the tests." Landis did not immediately respond to a phone call and e-mail seeking comment.

The French judge, who is based in the Paris suburb of Nanterre, issued the warrant Jan. 28 because Landis did not respond to a summons in November, Bordry said. The Nanterre prosecutor's office confirmed the warrant had been issued.

"Apparently the judge traced the case back to the beginning," Bordry said. "I can't say I'm happy with this news because I would have preferred there was no Landis case."

Bordry added that Cassuto also issued an international warrant for Arnie Baker, a retired doctor and longtime Landis coach and adviser.

After discovering the hacking, the French lab upgraded security to protect its computer systems.

Landis' urine samples were tested at the lab and found to contain elevated testosterone-to-epitestosterone levels, less than a week after he won the Tour de France.

On July 20, 2006, Landis started the 17th stage of the Tour more than 8 minutes behind leader Oscar Pereiro after losing the yellow jersey to the Spaniard the previous day. The American produced an amazing ride during the mountain stage to cut Pereiro's lead to 30 seconds before taking the title.

Landis' samples taken after that stage revealed a testosterone/epitestosterone ratio of 11:1. The limit is 4:1.

The Chatenay-Malabry lab is accredited by the International Olympic Committee and World Anti-Doping Agency. It helped develop tests for the endurance-enhancing drug EPO.

Landis returned to competition at the Tour of California last year. He recently competed in a minor race staged in New Zealand.

[Noval53]

I can see it now; Inspector Clooseau (from Interpol's special bicycle investigation unit) will now track down Mr Landis, seize his bicycle, and cuff him at the starting line of his next race. Then Interpol will bicycle over to the retired Doc's house and tackle her in her garden. Then the French will declare victory.

[erb0087]

"I also recall that France helped America during the Revolutionary War not because they wanted to help America but because they hated the English."
============================================
That was not Lafayette's motivation. His friendship with George Washington was sincere.

You could also suggest that America liberated France in World War II not out of love for France but out of hatred for Germany.

[erb0087]

France also supplied some of the greatest early explorers of North America.

Men like Jacques Cartier, Samuel de Champlain, Sieur de La Salle, Louis Jolliet, Jacques Marquette and others, whose names live on as place names and names of universities.

[rondivoo]

another cheating athlete ... like, how many are there that don't cheat ???? .... not many I'd say

[erb0087]

Now how could somebody called "louiville35", presumably a native of a city named in honor of France, ask a question like that ?

[erb0087]

"Now how could somebody called "louiville35", presumably a native of a city named in honor of France, ask a question like that ?"
=================================

Perhaps he thought the city had been named in honor of the baseball bat, the Louiville Slugger.

Anything's possible.

There are some people out there who, even to this day, think that Intercourse, Pa. was named in honor of Bill Clinton.

[taxchurches]

erb0087

Actually, I think it was Prosperity, SC that was named for Clinton.

Bush wrecked the country, but at least he didn't cheat on his wife. Yay.

You know, Clinton has been out of office for a decade. Maybe you could think about updating your joke file.

[erb0087]

An excellent inspirational book about cycling and cyclers is Lance Armstrong's "It's Not About the Book: My Journey Back to Life", which also recounts his personal victory over cancer.

I don't know if Landis is mentioned in the book, but the whole doping controversy is.

[erb0087]

Bike. Not Book.

Bike.

An excellent inspirational book about cycling and cyclers is Lance Armstrong's "It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life", which also recounts his personal victory over cancer.

[erb0087]

by louiville35:
"it if not for the tour de France what does France do or are known for"?
========================================

As other posters pointed out, they heped America win the Revolutionary War.

In fact, the city of Louisville, Kentucky (known affectionately as "Louiville") was named in honor of King Louis XVI of France, whose soldiers were then aiding Americans in the Revolutionary War.

[erb0087]

Helped.

Not heped.

[taiotoshi8602]

I remember France for not allowing us to fly over their airspace during both Gulf Wars. I also recall that France helped America during the Revolutionary War not because they wanted to help America but because they hated the English. But really what does slamming France have to do with this whole thing? Landis broke the law, is that France's fault? Oh yeah, I love France for great wine and cheese too.

[louiville35]

by lakota2012 February 15, 2010 5:30 PM EST
by louiville35:
"it if not for the tour de France what does France do or are known for"?
------------------------------



Probably for turning the tide on our loss to the British during the American Revolution, thus gaining our independence. But you delusional republiCONS cannot remember anything except for the 1950's & 1980's, and have a need to re-write all of history including Iran/Contra.
======================================================================

Yeah they waited until the war was almost over, and we have repaid that debt 10 fold. We gave them their freedom twice and our youth who still today rest overlooking Normandy. We have occupied Germany for the last sixty years which have brought prosperity to France. In return they spy and steal secrets, see here http://www.hanford.gov/oci/maindocs/ci_r_docs/frenchesp.pdf

Now they are once again being petty.

BTW have you ever been there?

[taiotoshi8602]

I find it simply amazing that this turned into a reps. vs. dems. slamfest .... oh wait, no I'm not.

[louiville35]

by ilyaquiss February 15, 2010 3:05 PM EST
well, they are known for creating your country, if it wasn't for them you would another pathetic british colony but I guess you never went to a history class in your life. They are also known for giving you the statue of liberty. As for their white flags, well what can I say?, the French lost over 4 million people in ww2 the US loss was about half a million...... and now you would like to talk about sacrifice. You showed up when the war was already decided.
========================================================
Ummmm the number was "217,600" for the french (a good share of those were in German concentration camps after they surrendered) and "416,800" for the USA (mostly combat deaths), military deaths in WW2 . The french government fought a whole five weeks before they surrendered. May 10, 1940-June 17th,1940.

So who carried on for another five years after the French ran? Same in Vietnam...... Another wimpy socialist country.

[kbbpll]

"You showed up when the war was already decided" - I think you meant to say "You showed up and then the war was decisive".

[thesevenveils]

What? After 4 years the French now say someone hacked their computers? And what was done? Who knows.

But a cyclist somehow obtained a copy of his drug test, which he was able to use in court, to disprove he had used steroids. Somehow, he wasn't supposed to get a hold of that. In the US that'd would be considered withholding evidence.

It is amusing that an accomplished professional bicycle racer is also an accomplished computer hacker. Those skill sets complement each other so well.