Newsy: Landis Admits to Doping, Says Armstrong Taught Him

After four years of losing his Tour de France title to Galician Óscar Pereiro, Floyd Landis admits to using performance enhancing drugs and accuses former teammates of doping as well.

LANCE ARMSTRONG ON ESPN: "He said he has nothing, he's got no proof, it's his word versus ours. We like our word, we like where we stand, we like our credibility.” “I don't think there's a lot of credibility on the other side."

That was seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong commenting on the doping allegations made against him by former teammate, Floyd Landis, who was stripped of his Tour de France title in 2006 after he was found to have used banned performance enhancers.

After four years of denying his positive test for synthetic testosterone, Landis tells Sports Illustrated, "I want to clear my conscience," and "I don't want to be part of the problem anymore" as his reasons for finally coming clean.

In his confessions, Landis emailed top cycling officials his history of doping as well as giving the names of many of his former teammates, including Armstrong, who he says not only used but also taught him how to use the banned enhancers.

BILL STRICKLAND ON CNN: "Floyd is a sort of an interesting character, he's a bit of a circus,"..."Unfortunately for Floyd, he's just discredited himself to the point where the allegations by themselves mean nothing."

Forbes.com says very plainly on one of its blogs that, "Landis has, to say the least, very shaky credibility."

Phonak team owner Andy Rihs issued a statement to ESPN saying "Landis' claims were 'lies' and a 'last, tragic attempt' to get publicity."

Despite his shattered credibility, some find reasons to believe him. Here's ESPN and CNN:

ESPN: “The question is, 'Where is the line between being a whistleblower and a snitch?'"

CNN: "It seems the allegations have never stuck"..."So I guess the question is, if you're Lance Armstrong how many times can you deny this?"

Back Porch Fanhouse is willing to hear what Landis has to say: "... you shouldn't dismiss Landis' claims simply because he lied in the past. After all, he has nothing left to lose now."

So what do you think? Is Landis finally telling the whole truth or is he just seeking another fifteen minutes of fame?

Writer: Jessica Duong

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