Positively False: The Real Story of How I Won the Tour de France
by Floyd Landis
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Book Summary Information
Author: Floyd LandisContributor: Loren Mooney
Edition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Published)
Format: Bargain Price
Published: 2007-06-17
ISBN: N/A
Number of pages: 320
Publisher: Simon Spotlight Entertainment
Book Reviews of Positively False: The Real Story of How I Won the Tour de France
Book Review: A Three Part Act
Summary: 3 Stars
May 2010 Edit - I wrote this review before Floyd Landis confession, but am keeping the review nearly entirely unchanged, as it applies to the book actually written, not what happened since. It was my opinion upon reading the book that the best parts were about his life as a youth, and the weakest aspects of it about his case, which has been proven false in itself.
Whatever the future holds, it's a real shame Floyd had to lie when writing this book, but at least he finally did come clean, and from getting to know the guy who wrote this book, lies and truths, I hope his conscience is now clean and he can move on with his life.
The book isn't written in three parts, but in a sense it is. The first part is about Floyd's early life, growing up in a strict Mennonite upbringing, having an awful lot of energy and love for bicycling, mostly on a mountain bike, but being told he should stay home on the farm. Floyd couldn't do that, so he moved on in life. Not that he completely lost his faith, he just felt he had so much more. This in itself is a terrific story, and it's a shame it's not written in a more detailed, if nostalgic, manner. But it's still a great base for Floyd's story.
The next part Floyd talks about his life as a bike racer. What's good about this part is that he doesn't just repeat the same information in Lance's books, Lemond's books, Hinault's book, etc. He goes into details about how he signed, how much he was paid, how he moved up on the USPS team, then split away from Lance as he wanted to be his own team leader, and how they reconciled. This is interesting, but as one who has followed cycling for many years, and read a great deal about USPS and cycling during this time, Floyd leaves a fair amount out, and this could have been expanded upon. But it's still a quick read and enjoyable.
The third part, and this is what the book is really about, is Floyd's positive test for testosterone in the 2006 Tour de France, and his efforts to fight it, including details on how the USADA works, how the lab (LNDD) worked, and why the odds were stacked against him the first time his test was even reported as positive. And this is where the book, especially in retrospect, gets a little slippery. Because this book is not about a debate, and not from an objective third party, but from Floyd's perspective, it has to be taken with a grain of salt, and cross referenced by the reader to his case, and other reporting, if one wants to truly get to the bottom of it. Floyd concentrates on how the lab made errors in just what determines a positive test (on a technical level, he has a point), and how had he not had the resources, and a high level legal team, he would have had to defend himself in front of USADA and their attorneys. This is partly true. Floyd also questions the lab's handling of the paperwork, and testing procedures, and by now, if you've done your homework, you'll start to feel a little less sorry for him. This is especially the case if you have read the CAS ruling harshly criticizing Floyd and his legal team's efforts.
Let me explain what I think happened. And this is an opinion here that may not be a review of the book but something for you to consider when reading it. My opinion comes from many years of studying cycling, and having been an amateur racer myself at one point, and following Floyd's case closely. It is my belief that Floyd doped during that 2006 Tour de France. But I believe he wasn't doping that much more than anyone else, and subsequent positive tests from among other riders he defeated, cements this. I believe Floyd's entire team may have been doping, along with the majority of other contenders. It's the ugly side of the sport.
Did Floyd win the 2006 Tour because he doped? Partly. But that wasn't the only reason. Floyd rode a smart tactical race, and showed a tremendous amount of grit and a brilliant strategy on the key stage where he sealed victory (Stage 17) and he talks about it in the book. He had riders out in front of him to act as a carrot, he attacked early, the weather was to his liking (hot!) and he kept himself well hydrated and drenched in water. The other contenders waited too long to chase and could be seen bickering with each other. Floyd also descends extremely well, and a solo rider can go downhill faster than a group. Floyd rode a gutsy, brilliant ride that day, one that would make Eddy Merckx and Bernard Hinault proud.
When Floyd came up positive, it is my opinion (yes an opinion) that all of this entered his mind: That most everyone dopes - it's endemic to the sport; that he rode his heart out and made a great strategic decision. When his doping test results was unfairly leaked to the press, he probably felt that the authorities had the deck stacked against him, and it compelled him to fight harder. In the end he lost. But it's easy to see why when asked about his greatest accomplishment, Floyd's answer is winning the 2006 Tour de France. Believe what you may, you can read about it here.
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