Floyd Landis: Tragedy, Turmoil & the Tour De France

Tour de France winners traditionally spend considerable time basking in global fanfare and contemplating new levels of financial bliss. But since Floyd Landis became the third American to claim cycling's most coveted title nearly 10 months ago, his life has been nothing less than catastrophic.

Landis, 31, lives with his wife, Amber, and their 10-year-old daughter, Ryan, in Murrieta, Calif. He has endured the dismissal from his now-disbanded former team, personal tragedy, hip surgery and perhaps the most perplexing doping scandal in sports history.

With the assistance of friends, including physician and scientist Arnie Baker and lawyer Howard Jacobs, the Landis camps is now in its final preparation for Landis' hearing before the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency on beginning May 14 at Pepperdine University, in Malibu, Calif.

The hearing will be the first since a 2004 ruling that an athlete facing drug accusations will have his case heard in a public forum.

Landis' most serious career obstacle began last July in the final week of the Tour de France. During the 16th stage, Landis nearly collapsed on his bike while beginning the finishing 10-mile ascent to La Toussuire, a French ski resort. He fell from first to 11th place, more than eight minutes behind.

Landis said he believed his title chances were done and, in disappointment, drank beer and bourbon. Yet in the next day's stage to Morzine-Avoriaz, Landis rode to victory, winning by more than 5 1/2 minutes.

The ride, which many experts cited as the greatest single-day effort in race history, catapulted Landis through the standings toward the overall race title he solidified three days later in Paris.

Shortly afterward, results from Landis' urine tests following his Stage 17 win showed a ratio of testosterone to epitestosterone nearly three times the legal limit.

The situation quickly worsened:

• Landis was released from the Phonak team, which was beset with other drug-related controversies. The team subsequently folded.

• In August, Landis' father-in-law, David Witt, a former roommate who introduced Landis to his future wife, committed suicide at 57.