by KYW's Mark Abrams
The Lancaster County community of Farmersville, Pa. is still celebrating the victory of native son Floyd Landis in Sunday's Tour de France bicycle race (see related story).
Landis's mother Arlene says she is very proud of her son's accomplishment, encouraged by the hundreds of people who were behind him:
"Every one of them gave blessings for his accomplishments, and yet I feel everyone knows by watching Thursday's race that Floyd had power that really was not his own. It went down in history as a very incredible race, so I want God to get the glory."
She adds that God undoubtedly helped Floyd through adverse circumstances:
"I mean, considering his health condition, considering the glitches in the race, it's just amazing that he was able to do this. And I'm sure he doesn't think it was something he did alone."
That health condition she mentioned is an arthritic right hip, for which he plans to have surgery this fall. And Arlene says if Floyd can come back, he most certainly will try to make another run at the tour title.
Paul Landis says his son's victory is a humbling achievement that certainly has meaning for many people:
"Now he's having hundreds of thousands of friends worldwide that he's never met yet, but they love him and the sport, whether they're searching for life or a meaning to life. And there is meaning, and we have to show them somehow where it's at."
Paul Landis says he never imagined that buying Floyd's first road bike some 15 years ago would set his son on this path. He says Floyd now has a unique opportunity to use his high public profile for great good.
Arlene says she's hoping her son will stop at home on his way back to California from France, to celebrate with the community.
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