GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Craig Lewis is 21, a winner of two
national titles this year, and one of the most talked about talents
in U.S. cycling.
Still, he hears the whispers and sees the questioning eyes when
competing overseas or at home -- is he a cheater?
Lewis, taking part in the USA Cycling Professional
Championships, says he's dealt with more speculation than ever
since American Floyd Landis, the Tour de France champion, tested
positive during the three-week race.
"Yeah, it's tough," Lewis said Thursday. "The people in
Europe treat us a little different, and even people here in the
U.S. who don't understand the sport so well get a negative image
out of it.
"It's always something you have to deal with."
These championships were expected to be a celebration for
American cycling.
It's the first time the field is made up entirely of U.S.
professionals after 21 years where international cyclists helped
fill the starting line. Tour de France stage winners and
yellow-jersey holders David Zabriskie and George Hincapie headline
the group.
However, Landis' troubles aren't far from the minds of the top
competitors.
Zabriskie, a friend of Landis, says the sport's fans understand
the actions of one rider don't taint everyone.
"The people in America who follow cycling feel support,
frankly," Zabriskie said. "For those who grew up playing football
or basketball, it's one more reason to hate the sport. There's
nothing you can do."
Landis, riding with an arthritic right hip, seemed to be the
sport's next American hero after making a remarkable comeback to
win a tough Alpine stage that put him back in contention. But four
days after celebrating his victory in Paris came the news that the
30-year-old had flunked a doping test revealing high levels of
testosterone in his urine sample. A backup test supported the
original result. Landis has denied cheating.
Zabriskie was as disappointed as anyone at the results.
"We're really close," Zabriskie said. "It's not easy to see a
friend go through hard times like that."
In better times, Zabriskie says Landis would've been here to
compete and enjoy his French triumph with the U.S. cycling
community.
Instead, Landis is preparing his defense against potential
action that could make him the first champion stripped of the crown
in the Tour's 103-year history.
Sean Petty, chief operating officer of USA Cycling, said he
believes the vast majority of American riders race clean and train
hard without resorting to performance enhancers. Landis has the
right to present his case, Petty said, and have all evidence heard
before others judge him negatively.
But Petty says tests and control measures to catch users improve
with every race.
"If you're going to cheat, you have to be very gutsy or very
stupid," he said.
Petty will spend part of his time here meeting with others of
influence in U.S. cycling to discuss keeping the sport drug-free.
"There's so much good going on the sport, those using are a
limited, and getting more limited, group," he said.
Hincapie spent years as a teammate aiding seven-time Tour
champion Lance Armstrong. Hincapie held the Tour's yellow jersey
this past July. He, too, is friendly with Landis, although hasn't
talked with him since the scandal.
Cyclists are individuals, Hincapie said, and what happens with
one does not paint the others with a negative brush. He helped many
up-and-coming riders like Lewis train, and urged them to practice
healthy, strong, drug-free regimens.
"Cycling has gone through a rough couple of years," Hincapie
said. "But I think the fans out there still believe is us and
still believe that we work hard and you can win races clean.
"It's my perception that the people I'm around think that and
believe that. That's what's important to me."