An offer like this would imply that authorities have actual evidence in hand. If so, such evidence could prove to be the crack in the “we like our credibility” defense Lance Armstrong has offered so far in response to Landis’ allegations of systematic doping in the early 2000s.

In a larger context, the timing of this scandal raises questions. Coming during the height of publicity for the Tour of California, naming primarily Americans — the most prominent of whom were competing in the race — and putting the focus on Armstrong as he was poised to make a statement in the Tour … all of it raises questions about a backstory based on an investigation further along than has been suggested.

Remember that Landis did not “release” his email — nor, apparently, did he intend for it to be made public.

Something is going on behind the scenes that we the public do not yet know about.

Other links:

Joe Papp on Floyd Landis: Speak No Evil?

Lance ups the ante, releasing emails between Landis and the Tour of California in attempt to show Landis as a grubber.

Greg LeMond believes Floyd, mostly.

Regarding unequal treatment of riders by doping authorities for political and financial reasons, Joe Papp has reposted a fascinating article from the Danish weekly publication Weekendavisen discussing the curious case of Vladimir Gusev, a Russian rider who was fired for apparent political reasons but won vindication in a lawsuit. The article’s typos stem from auto-translation technology.