Floyd Landis is performing well in the Powernet Tour of Southland, sitting fourth overall after two stages of the six-day race.
The American rider is showing decent condition and remains in contention for overall victory. He is one minute and two seconds behind the Kiwi race leader Jeremy Yates (Share the Road), who holds a four second lead over Share the Road team-mate Jack Bauer. Previous race leader Hayden Roulston (Calder Stewart-BikeNZ National), who usually competes with HTC Columbia, is a further 18 seconds back in third.
The race is Landis’ second trip to the southern hemisphere in just over a month. He was one of the guest speakers at the New Pathway’s for Pro Cycling conference held immediately prior to cycling’s world road race championships in Melbourne and Geelong, and gave an account of his experiences of doping in the peloton.
Landis is currently part of a large-scale investigation into the US Postal Service team, who he accused of running an organised doping programme for many years. His allegations have led to criticism from some, as well as backing from others.
Those who fault him point out that he tested positive in the 2006 Tour de France, was disqualified and spent several years denying his guilt before finally admitting it. Some slate him for his allegations against Lance Armstrong and others.
Those who support him believe he is now telling the truth and his actions are helping to better understand how doping works, how to combat it, and to move things on from the past.
Whatever the viewpoint, it appears to be clear is that speaking out has helped his focus, in terms of racing. He didn’t perform well after his comeback from a doping ban, yet is showing good form thus far in New Zealand.
He is guesting with the Orca Velo Merino squad in the race, and while the riders were just 12th in yesterday’s opening 8.42 kilometre team time trial, he was closer to the action today. Landis finished the hilly 81.6 kilometre second stage to Bluff in fourth place, 36 seconds behind Yates.
The New Zealander soloed to victory, crossing the line two seconds ahead of Bauer.
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Powernet Tour of Southland:
October 31, Stage 1, TTT:
1, Calder Stewart-BikeNZ National, 8.42 kilometres in 9 mins 47 secs
2, Subway Avanti Pro Cycling, at 11 secs
3, Share the Road, at 12 secs
4, Pure Black Racing, at 15 secs
5, Benchmark Homes, at 19 secs
6, PowerNet, at 22 secs
Other:
12, Orca Velo Merino, at 32 secs
Stage 2, Invercargill – Bluff:
1, Jeremy Yates (Share the Road) 81.6 kilometres in 1 hour 59 mins 45 secs
2, Jack Bauer (Share the Road) at 2 secs
3, Hayden Roulston (Calder Stewart-BikeNZ National) at 30 secs
4, Floyd Landis (Orca Velo Merino) at 36 secs
5, Michael Olheiser (Jackson Plumbing-Plumbing World) at 44 secs
6, Matthew Marshall (The Southland Times-H&J's Outdoor World) at 57 secs
General classification after two stages:
1, Jeremy Yates (Share the Road) 2 hours 9 mins 44 secs
2, Jack Bauer (Share the Road) at 4 secs
3, Hayden Roulston (Calder Stewart-BikeNZ National) at 22 secs
4, Floyd Landis (Orca Velo Merino) at 1 min 2 secs
5, Michael Olheiser (Jackson Plumbing-Plumbing World) at 1 min 10 secs
6, Daniel Barry (Benchmark Homes) at 1 min 16 secs