I have to say the release of the NYT story does make things look pretty grim for Landis. According to wire reports, the results of the B sample should be in by Saturday.

The thing that still doesn't make any sense to me is why Landis (and his staff of cutting edge sports professionals) would risk all by using an easily detected substance that would have no signficant immediate effect on his riding, in an environment such as the Tour where he knew he was likely to be tested.

A new twist in all of this is the latest claim of American sprinter Justin Gatlin (and coach Trevor Graham), who recently failed a drug test in a similar fashion to Landis. He maintains that a vengeful massage therapist rubbed a banned testosterone cream on him without his knowledge:

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-...adlines-sports

Now I know it would be easy to dismiss this as Gatlin making up far flung excuses, but in my mind it is also easy to see this actually happening.

FWIW, in addition to its rich tradition, the Tour de France also has an infamous history of all types of folks trying to sabatoge various riders and teams with tainted food and drink as well as planting damning evidence for officials or media to find.

It sure would be nice just to know the truth...