Question of the day: Do you believe Floyd Landis’ allegations?

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Four reporters from around the Tribune Co. weigh in on the topic. Check back throughout the day for more responses and feel free to leave a comment of your own.

Bill Dwyre, Los Angeles Times

The best approach is to think as if you were on the jury in the trial: Landis vs. Armstrong.

First, there is the context of the case. This is cycling, which has a history of guys cheating. The Landis accusation is not something out of the blue. As ESPN broadcast journalist Colin Cowherd pointed out the other day, there must be a reason that Tour de France officials drug test EVERY DAY!

Next, you would look at the specifics. Armstrong has been accused before by other, mainly French journalists and officials. Landis details events, situations. Would he make it up that Armstrong advised him on how to best take the enhancing drugs? Maybe, but it needs to be weighed.

Soon, you have to factor in the credibility of Landis. That’s being challenged all over the place, mostly by other riders with an ax to grind.

Is Landis’ accusation plausible? Sure.

[Updated at noon:

Gary R. Blockus, The Morning Call

Heck, yes, I believe that Lance Armstrong used blood doping, EPO and/or other performance enhancing drugs to bolster his career as a seven-time Tour de France champion.

The problem is that I no longer trust Floyd Landis. His confession last week to the use of performance enhancing drugs proves that he lied to my face in 2007 when he made a case to me that he had never used anything. His allegations against Armstrong would carry a lot more weight if he came clean after his positive test in 2006.

Landis says his only documentation on Armstrong rests in his training journals and diaries. That is so sad.

Allegations against Armstrong are nothing new. Armstrong’s image is further damaged in a guest commentary by Jim Ferstle in VeloNews, who disproves Armstrong’s statement that, “I am the most tested athlete in the history of sports,” by disclosing he isn’t even the most tested person in U.S. cycling.

Live Strong may have a whole new meaning if Landis can prove what he claims.]