Floyd Landis, Computer Hacker? French Judge Issues International Arrest Warrant For Cyclist

An international warrant for the arrest of American cyclist Floyd Landis has been issued by a French judge after Landis failed to appear in court. The judge, Thomas Cassuto, believes Landis hacked into the computer system of the laboratory that preformed the drug testing after the '06 Tour.

"French judge Cassuto from the Tribunal de Grande Instance of Nanterre informed us that he had issued an international arrest warrant on January 28 against Floyd Landis, who tested positive for banned testosterone during the 2006 Tour de France, after our laboratory computer system was hacked," [French anti-doping agency head Pierre] Bordry said.

"It seems that (Landis) made all he could to enter into our computer system to try to prove the laboratory was wrong. He showed many documents he got by hacking to numerous sporting instances," Bordry said. "The judge traced a network of hackers back to the ringleader."

What this means for Landis isn't exactly clear. An international warrant essentially puts him on INTERPOL's wanted list and begins the process for possible extradition to France. But it probably doesn't mean authorities are going to begin a man-hunt for Landis, kicking in doors and searching every warehouse-to-doghouse trying to find their fugitive.