The Spoke Word: Floyd Landis Interview

By Outside Online
Jan 23, 2009

In the two-and-a-half years since we featured him on our cover, Floyd Landis has been hailed as the next Lance, won the Tour de France, lost that title due to a failed doping test, lost two subsequent appeals, and had his arthritically mangled right hip (the result of a training accident) replaced with an artificial one. It’s a lot to overcome, emotionally and physically. But Landis, true to his iconoclastic reputation, has signed with a new team and is ready to return to racing once his two-year suspension ends on January 30.

On the first day of training camp with his new team—which is sponsored by OUCH Sports Medical Center, the clinic that did his hip replacement—Landis phoned Outside to discuss his comeback. I’ve spoken with other riders who have returned after doping scandals and found them much more guarded than before their suspensions, if not bitter. I expected the same from Landis but was surprised to discover his much-celebrated sense of humor and aw-shucks self-deprecation intact.

Guilty or innocent? That's for the courts to decide. (Actually, I guess they already did that.) But there's no doubting that Landis will boost the interest and entertainment in a cycling season already basking in the return of Lance.

—John Bradley

Why are you back racing?
It’s what I’ve done most of my life. I missed it. It’s a wonderful sport, very rewarding. I’m doing it because for a long time it was the major part of the goals in my life. I couldn’t let it end the way it looked like it might. I hope people just appreciate the sport for what it is, because it’s wonderful.

There wasn’t a defining moment when I decided I’d come back. As I went through the drama of the past two years, it was just one day at a time. But I’ve always thought that if the right opportunity came along, on my terms, and it was a fun one, I’d do it. There’s no higher goal than that. I’m not motivated by any bitterness or anger. I don’t feel I have anything to prove. I just love racing bikes. I missed the competition and excitement.

What was the hardest part of the past two years?
The entire thing. It was not pleasant. I’m ok now, looking forward. Hopefully people around me can do the same. It didn’t change me at all, though. Maybe I’ve got a slightly disillusioned view of some things. But this didn’t change me or my beliefs about what’s important in life. I care about people. I’m the same guy.

You caught a lot of flack for the way you handled things when your test results were first announced—muddled PR, that press conference you showed up to with the backwards baseball cap. Do you wish you’d handled any of it differently?
Going back’s not a choice. It’s not really justified for anyone to say they would have done things differently. It’s much easier to blog about someone than it is to be that person sitting under the lights answering questions you don’t even understand.

There were plenty of days when it was really tough. But look, what happened to me wasn’t the worst thing ever. People have endured far, far worse things. I don’t view myself as a martyr. Everyone’s gone through hard times. Just because my hard times happened in front of the world doesn’t mean it was tougher.

In addition to all of that, you’re also coming back on a new hip. How does it feel?
It’s outstanding. I can do everything I did before, pain-free. I honestly don’t even think about it. When I’m out riding, I don’t think, “Oh, I’ve got an artificial hip.” I’m 100 percent.

How do you feel fitness-wise?
I haven’t raced in two years. I’m sure it will sting a little once I start racing. But right now I feel the same. I know my times on certain climbs that I’ve been riding for the past 15 years, and I’m there.

What was the longest you were off the bike?
There was about a one-year period starting in 2006 when I only rode maybe three or four thousand miles. I would go entire months without getting on a bike.

You raced a bit during your suspension, though.
I did some mountain-bike races, but no road racing, so I need to get that feel back. On a mountain bike, you can pace yourself—I want to go hard here, I want to back off now. In road racing, other people are dictating the pace. If the peloton’s flying up a hill, you’ve got to go with it. You can’t simulate that on your own.

But the mountain-bike racing was great. It’s a totally different atmosphere compared to road racing. It’s just a bunch of guys who love to ride mountain bikes and are out there just for the fun of it.

Are you working with a coach for your comeback?
No coach right now. I’m training on my own. No computers or anything. Just by feel.

At least until your team director reads this.
Yeah, probably. But I know what I’ve done in the past to train, so I know what I’m doing. Also, I’m riding now more for my own satisfaction than anything else, so I prefer to just go ride. If I want to go hard, I can go hard. If I want to stop at a 7-11 for a Snickers bar, I can do that. I’m like a 12-year-old kid out there on my bike. I know it’s unconventional, but I’m motivated enough to train hard a certain amount. I just prefer to be the one telling myself what to do.

I don’t even have a power meter or computer. There are no screens on my bike at all. And training is more fun than it’s ever been. I’m looking at the scenery, taking things in. I missed a lot looking at screens while I was out riding in the past.

So I take it you’re not weighing your food, either.
I haven’t even weighed myself in two years. My pants still fit. Maybe I got a little bit heavier there for a time while I was away. But I’m fine.

You’ve signed with a domestic team and will be racing a U.S. calendar this season. What are your goals with that?
Starting with the Tour of California, every race we enter we’ll be entering to win. Not that it will be easy. The Tour of California is huge, so it’s kind of a stressful first race back. And there are some very strong domestic teams we’ll be up against this season: BMC, Bissel. Guys come along each year who you’ve never heard of and surprise you. There’s real talent in the U.S. And great races. After the Tour of California there’s the Tour of Utah, the Tour of Missouri. I’m looking forward to it

Would you go back to racing in Europe?
I’ve got plenty of good memories from those times. If the opportunity presented itself, I wouldn’t dismiss it.

You’re 33 now, plenty of years left to race if you want to. How long will you keep going?
I think the prudent thing is to take it one season at a time. I’m not sure about the long term. Right now I’m feeling like I used to on the bike, so I just want to change my terms with cycling.

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