June 10, 2010 – American authorities are investigating Floyd Landis’ recent allegations of widespread doping in the upper echelons of pro cycling. Doug Miller, an assistant U.S. Attorney based in Los Angeles was appointed to stand behind the probe by Food and Drug Administration criminal investigator Jeff Novitzky reports the New York Daily News.

Landis tested positive for synthetic testosterone after finishing first at the 2006 Tour de France, but claimed his innocence and contested the charge all the way the CAS. Last month he admitted to doping “most of his cycling career,” but maintains that he doped with human growth hormone, not testosterone, at the 2006 TdF. Landis also accused others of doping, including fellow Americans: Lance Armstrong (Radioshack) Levi Leipheimer (Radioshack) and Dave Zabriskie (Garmin-Transitions). Also accused were Canada’s Michael Barry (Team Sky), Johan Bruyneel (former US Postal team director now directing Radioshack) retired Australian procyclist Matthew White, and John Lelangue (now director sportif of BMC). Hein Verbruggen, (former president of the UCI) was also accused of taking bribes to suppress positive drug tests.

Both Miller, the prosecutor in the case, and Novitzky were previously involved with the Bay Area Laboratory Cooperative (BALCO) doping investigation. Miller has the power to help Novitzky obtain search warrants and secure cooperation agreements, building evidence that Miller could then take before a grand jury, possibly against cyclists or cycling team owners. The government’s investigation is apparently still in its early stages. Landis has met with Novitzky.

Meanwhile, Landis has reportedly hired the legal team of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich and Rosati to represent him after receiving a cease-and-desist letter from Verbruggen. Interestingly, the same legal firm has worked with Greg LeMond who testified against Landis on his testosterone doping charges.

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