Acknowledging that it has been asked to conduct an inquiry into Floyd Landis’ accusations against Michael Barry but also stating that it believes their rider is innocent, the Canadian Cycling Association has chosen to refer the investigation to another more impartial body.
The decision to call on the Canadian Centre for Ethics to do the investigation means that the CCA should be seen to remain separate to whatever decision is arrived at.
Canadian Cycling Association executive director Greg Mathieu made it clear that he already feels the rider did not take doping substances, as was alleged by Landis.
“First of all, we’re very strong believers in Michael Barry,” he told thestar.com. “We’re all about racing clean and we want the world to race clean and make sure all athletes have the same opportunity to win.”
However any enquiry must be seen to be impartial in order to be credible, and so referring it elsewhere is the best way to handle it.
In an email released anonymously last week, correspondence between Landis and several others, including the UCI, USADA, US Cycling and the organisers of the Tour of California, was leaked to the media. In it Landis alleges that he, Barry and their US Postal team-mate Matt White all shared testosterone and EPO while training for the 2003 Vuelta a España. He also made claims of doping against others, including Lance Armstrong and team manager Johan Bruyneel.
“There’s no analytical basis for us to investigate in this instance where we can prove in any way, shape or form whether or not an athlete is guilty,” said Mathieu, explaining the reasons why he feels it will be difficult to reach a conclusion. “There’s two people involved and neither is corroborating what the other is saying. We’re going to have a problem following it as far as we can.”
It is rumoured that other people are backing Landis in his claims, and are in talks with USADA. If that is the case, they are presumably negotiating an amnesty in return for their co-operation.
The UCI has also played down Landis’ claims, but has nevertheless asked the relevant federations to investigate those accused.