MALIBU, Calif. - Three days of dry discussions centered on laboratory technique gave way to chaos and drama at cyclist Floyd Landis’ arbitration hearing Thursday at the Pepperdine University Law School.

Three-time Tour de France winner Greg Le-Mond testified that Landis, who won last year’s Tour, discussed with him in August whether admitting to the use of performance-enhancing drugs served any purpose.

LeMond also testified that he told Landis that LeMond was sexually abused as a child and that Landis’ business manager, Will Geoghegan, used the information in a threatening phone call to LeMond on Wednesday evening.

“It was a real threat,” LeMond said. “It was very creepy. I don’t think he wanted me to be here today.”

Landis faces the possibility of a two-year ban from cycling competition and the loss of his Tour title because he’s suspected of taking performanceenhancing drugs.

The Colorado Springsbased U.S. Anti-Doping Agency is handling the case against Landis.

Before and after Le-Mond took the stand, chemists testified about the handling of Landis’ urine samples, including those taken after his phenomenal Stage 17 victory in last year’s Tour. But LeMond’s testimony was the riveting element Thursday.

On Aug. 6, 2006, LeMond testified, Landis called LeMond to ask about LeMond’s comments regarding allegations of Landis testing positive for synthetic testosterone.

During a 36-minute phone call, LeMond urged Landis to confess if he had used illegal drugs. LeMond said Landis’ response was, “‘What good would it do?’”

LeMond said he answered Landis with a story about a secret, one he never had spoken publicly about before Thursday: he was sexually abused as a child by an uncle. Keeping the secret had a devastating effect on LeMond, he said.

LeMond testified that regarding such an admission, Landis said, “If I did, it would destroy a lot of my friends and hurt a lot of people.”

The drama escalated when USADA attorney Matt Barnett asked LeMond about a phone call Wednesday, which LeMond said he answered on speakerphone with his wife, Kathy, next to him.

The caller identified himself as “Uncle Ron” and said, “This is your uncle and I’m going to be there tomorrow,” in addition to graphic remarks describing sexual abuse, LeMond said.

After the caller hung up, LeMond said he immediately returned the phone call and got a voicemail message for someone named “Will.”

Barnett displayed the call log of LeMond’s BlackBerry with Geoghegan’s number.

LeMond filed a witness tampering charge against Geoghegan with Malibu police late Wednesday. USADA attorneys showed the report to the threeperson arbitration panel, but police declined to release a copy to a reporter.

As LeMond spoke, Geoghegan, who sat behind Landis, turned bright red and gnashed his gum.

Barnett asked Geoghegan to identify himself and as he stood, Landis closed his eyes.

Landis’ attorney, Howard Jacobs, began cross-examining LeMond, while co-counsel Maurice Suh walked over to Geoghegan.

Suh knelt down and, from an inch away, began to whisper to Geoghegan, who answered only with nods.

For five minutes, Jacobs asked LeMond general questions about his cycling business.

Barnett objected, saying Jacobs was “stalling.” Jacobs attempted to ask questions about seven-time Tour winner Lance Armstrong — whom LeMond has criticized in the past — but was rebuffed by LeMond’s lawyer.

Jacobs sought to strike LeMond’s testimony if Jacobs wasn’t allowed to “establish motivation.”

Panel member Richard McLaren eventually said the decision will be ruled on later.

USADA then called Geoghegan to the stand. Before he could take an oath, Suh objected on the grounds Geoghegan didn’t have adequate time to prepare and the panel agreed.

Shortly thereafter Geoghegan was fired.

“Mr. Geoghegan,” Suh told the panel, “is now terminated from the previous position he’s had with Mr. Landis.”

CONTACT THE WRITER: 476-4803 or kate.crandall@gazette.com