CYCLING Local cyclists rooting for Americans in Tour de France Despite doping scandal, excitement is high

While local cyclists are disappointed with the Tour de France doping scandal that has rocked the cycling world, they remain excited about the Tour and chances of an American rider winning.

A year after Lance Armstrong ended his seven-year reign as champion, Italy's Ivan Basso and perennial runner-up Jan Ullrich of Germany were the favorites to win the Tour. But they were forced to leave the Tour last week after they were connected with a Spanish doctor whose apartment was raided, yielding steroids and blood doping equipment.

More than 200 athletes, including 30 riders, have been implicated in the scandal.

That has left the field wide open. Among those with a shot are Americans Levi Leipheimer, Floyd Landis and George Hincapie. Hincapie, who was a teammate on Armstrong's Discovery Channel team, is Malissa Nelson's favorite.

"I think he's amazing," said Nelson, who is president of the UND Cycling Club. "He's ridden with Lance all these years, and I think he has what it takes to fill his shoes."

Pat White, assistant manager of The Ski and Bike Shop, also likes Hincapie's chances, although he thinks Landis has a better chance of winning.

"I think George definitely has a shot," White said. "The only thing I'd have against George is that he's never had a top 10 placing, but you can always argue that he never did because Lance was there. If you asked me today, I'd say Floyd Landis is going to win.

"His team was one of the least affected by the scandal. I think out of who's left, he's probably the most prepared."

Dave Yearwood, the faculty sponsor of the UND club, also likes Landis's odds.

"My favorite initially was Ivan Basso, but he got into trouble, so my next in line is Floyd or Levi, with Floyd as No. 1," said Yearwood, who is an associate professor of education. "It is the first time the Americans have had a good set of leaders. Before it was all about working for Lance. Now these three have come into their own, out of the shadow of Lance, and have commanded the respect of European riders."

While the chance of having an American sweep of the top three places is not likely, it is also not out of the question. Leipheimer won the Tour of Germany last year and has finished as high as sixth in the Tour de France.

"Levi's not going to be a slouch by any means," White said. "He'll be there. I haven't seen him flex his muscles as much as Floyd, though. Floyd has the best opportunity to peak."

While the doping scandal has opened the door for American cyclists, it has left a black mark on the sport, local enthusiasts say.

"I think it is unfortunate," Nelson said. "Basso and Ulrich, being top riders, are not setting a very good example ... . I think it is completely unacceptable."

There is a silver lining to the scandal, though. White said the crackdown on doping will help the integrity of the sport and maintain a level playing field.

"Everybody is applauding the fact that something is being done, because they feel it will open the door back to what the sport should be, not what it's become," White said.

While the Americans have avoided the claims of doping, Armstrong is still being dogged by cheating allegations. White sees money, politics and jealousy as being at the heart of those claims.

"It's interesting that Lance's samples have been kept since the late 1990s, but when France won the World Cup (in 1998), everybody on the team's sample was destroyed in three months," White said. "There's politics in the deal. But that question will always be there. I guess Lance will have to be a human pin cushion."

As for Nelson, she thinks Lance is innocent of the charges.

"He's one of those people who comes along once in a lifetime who is naturally that gifted," Nelson said. "There's a line that you can cross, and some people cross it. I don't think he was one of those people."