IATTBYB Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 I was really enjoying following this year's TDF but the news today that Saunier Duval has withdrawn after Ricco's positive EPO test might be the last straw for me. When Beltran was caught a couple of days ago, the apologists just chalked it up to him being an older rider just trying to make it through the twilight of his career. Then, when the second Spainard from Barloworld was caught, the apologists made the excuse that although the sport is making progess in cleaning out the dopers, the Spanish riders aren't getting the message. Now, the Italian Ricco's positive test, who has won two of the more exciting stages in dramatic fashion and was the leader in the KOM and Young Rider classsifications, will once again prove that cycling is still mired in this horrible problem. Hopefully someone from Garmin or Columbia can pull out something spectacular and renew my interest in the Tour. Allez VandeVelde. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Jules Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 what happened? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cryptique Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 I'm totally into the Tour this year, drugs be damned. Stage 12 is about to finish, and it should be a sprint -- I just wish I were home watching it on TV. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
IATTBYB Posted July 17, 2008 Author Share Posted July 17, 2008 3 days, 3 positive epo tests. If I'm not mistaken, all of the positive results were from testing after the TT on stage 4. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cryptique Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 what happened?Riccardo Ricco tested positive for two banned substances, and his whole team withdrew (Saunier-Duval Scott). He had been wearing the king-of-the-mountains jersey and had won two stages before his positive test. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
quarter23cd Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 It took me like 3 or 4 posts to figure out what this thread was about. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lammycat Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 what happened?http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5i-rRIEO...1pLn4wD91VIT180 andhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/jul/1...france.cycling2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Jules Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 Sorry, "what happened?" = "what are you talking about?". I don't care what really happened. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cryptique Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/jul/1...france.cycling2That link's for yesterday's stage. Stage 12 just now finished... (spoiler) Mark Cavendish won the sprint. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lammycat Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 That link's for yesterday's stage. Stage 12 just now finished... (spoiler) Mark Cavendish won the sprint.Oops. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spawn's dad Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 I was really enjoying following this year's TDF but the news today that Saunier Duval has withdrawn after Ricco's positive EPO test might be the last straw for me. When Beltran was caught a couple of days ago, the apologists just chalked it up to him being an older rider just trying to make it through the twilight of his career. Then, when the second Spainard from Barloworld was caught, the apologists made the excuse that although the sport is making progess in cleaning out the dopers, the Spanish riders aren't getting the message. Now, the Italian Ricco's positive test, who has won two of the more exciting stages in dramatic fashion and was the leader in the KOM and Young Rider classsifications, will once again prove that cycling is still mired in this horrible problem. Hopefully someone from Garmin or Columbia can pull out something spectacular and renew my interest in the Tour. Allez VandeVelde. of all the possible straws in prior years that's the last? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cryptique Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 of all the possible straws in prior years that's the last?There will probably be more "straws" this year too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
IATTBYB Posted July 17, 2008 Author Share Posted July 17, 2008 of all the possible straws in prior years that's the last?I admit that I bought into Phil Liggett's and Paul Sherwin's party line that this year was going to be different, that the sport was making significant progress in its effort to stop the cheating. I was naive enough to buy the explanation that Beltran was doping in an effort to prolong his career. Maybe my choice of word regarding this being the "last straw" was inartful. I will still watch the TDF for the spectacle and realize that I am probably watching a bunch of cheaters. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jenbobblehead Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 I'm just glad that asswipe Al Trautwig isn't part of Le Tour commentary this year. and since I am working while the bikers are toiling, I have been TiVOing it, but honestly it was far more fun the last three summers, to watch it on TV in the mornings and go to the office at noon. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spawn's dad Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 I will still watch the TDF for the spectacle and realize that I am probably watching a bunch of cheaters. better you should go watch some local race and wave the flag for those guys. it helps grow the sport in a moreorganic way and it shows sponsors that their investments are worth it. the athletes probably will appreciate itmore as well. I know I do. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
IATTBYB Posted July 17, 2008 Author Share Posted July 17, 2008 better you should go watch some local race and wave the flag for those guys. it helps grow the sport in a moreorganic way and it shows sponsors that their investments are worth it. the athletes probably will appreciate itmore as well. I know I do.If you ever have a race in SW Michigan, let me know, and I will make sure that I am out by the road to cheer you on. I am serious. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cryptique Posted July 24, 2008 Share Posted July 24, 2008 Sastre made quite the charge yesterday, and it brought him the yellow. Looks like the final time trial may decide the race. I'm just glad that asswipe Al Trautwig isn't part of Le Tour commentary this year.Yeah, but in the evenings Versus sticks us with Craig Hummer and Bob Roll, who probably don't have 80 IQ points between them. Utter morons. I enjoy Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen, though Sherwen is prone to the occasional inanity. Fortunately, we are usually home early enough to watch the first replay, which still has their commentary. Why Versus thinks the prime-time replay needs those American idiots, I'm not sure. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spawn's dad Posted July 24, 2008 Share Posted July 24, 2008 The father of the Schleck brothers has been pulled over and detained by police, so strap in for another race tobrought to ruins by scandal. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cryptique Posted July 24, 2008 Share Posted July 24, 2008 The father of the Schleck brothers has been pulled over and detained by police, so strap in for another race tobrought to ruins by scandal.Nope. Just a random check, nothing was found. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spawn's dad Posted July 24, 2008 Share Posted July 24, 2008 bah. I'm sure they're guilty...give it time. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fatheadfred Posted July 24, 2008 Share Posted July 24, 2008 The father of the Schleck brothers has been pulled over and detained by police, so strap in for another race tobrought to ruins by scandal. what? that sucks. edit: from velo news. An official source in Grenoble later said that "no doping products or banned substances" were found during the long search, which took place at Vizille in the Isere region of the Alps...Johnny Schleck was driving a Luxembourg-registered vehicle for one of the advertisers linked to the race. Yeah, if they were to test and enforce as rigorously as this year they would all be tossed. Most in the sport believe they all do it. Garmin Chipotle has a new process for more transparency (according to Vaughter their director) we'll see how that works. The opposite of GC is Rock Racing...who hire known dopers, tattoed dudes, and drive cadillacs for support cars. http://www.rockracing.com/ It will take time to change this culture. They either need to all be doping or none be doping to level the field. I would side w/ no doping. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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