"On a similar note the NHL missed an entire season a few years ago when the owners and the players couldn't agree on money. Imagine a year without a tour, it would be a shame but would put things in perspective for the 2014 tour !"
with respect, that was an issue over money and the problem with cycling isn't money. it's a system that needs cleansing not the financing of it. if sponsors pull out because they have no faith in the way the sport is being managed and their brand gets tainted, that's a much more powerful argument in the whole issue than 2 sides arguing over money.
McQuaid will go eventually, either voluntarily or with a boot up his arse, and I suspect the "management meeting" on Friday could see the start of the process as there is an upswell of feeling from the constituent members of the UCI that will start pushing for this.
I think the lesson here is not to investigate sport too closely. As you will find cheats.
it doesn't seem to matter if you're a pro or an amateur as the temptations to juice to win are there at all levels viz. the age group triathlete just busted in the US for testosterone. and I guess amateurs feel they can get away with it more as they aren't as routinely tested but drug testing is filtering down now. we did a local tri in SW France in September - probably on a par with one of the bigger UK ones with race distances of sprint, standard, middle and LD plus paratri and maybe 1000 competitors in total across all distances. there was a drug test tent at the finish area - something I've never seen in any UK event outside IM.
Its never going to affect me but imagine you were a good AG racer, but you always missed the qualification by 5 mins to get to Kona 6 or 7 times. Then someone says "look mate , youve spent thousands chasing qualification, 200 quid in my pocket and you will have that little extra to get you there" There will be those who are tempted. Sadly it is human nature to look for an "easy" way.
It could be as simple as a few patches to get you from cat 3 to cat 2 racing say. People dont necessarily cheat for money. They sometimes cheat to say "I did this" Yes I know they are only cheating themselves, but if people are prepared to dope just to get kudos, imagine what it is like when there is money and prestige at stake.
Zero tolerance is the way to go, but you cant turn back the clock. What we do need to do, is clean house at the top, where complicity compounded the problem as the man concerned made lots of people lots of money and make it known there is a new sheriff in town.
Not the old dodgy one who was pals with the biggest Varmint around and took his cash.
Get someone in from another sport even. We need fresh blood to protect the riders. It has to be an environment where a clean rider can win and the penalties of being found out outweigh the benefits.
Yes that twice up the Alpe will be awesome. I've done that descent off the back of the Alpe before now - its spectacular. Only the bottom half was tarmacced. The top part was a gravel road - with fords and unguarded hairpin bends. I was clearly young and foolish in those days to come down there at speed !
I'm guessing they'll tart it all up a bit for the peleton if its not been done already.
I think Fat Greg's been talking to Bassy about Fat Pat. Lemondindeed. On the basis Lance has never been able to find a bean on Lemond despite being desperate to and having the money and vindictive nature to do so (as well as stating he would) I think we can assume that not only is Greg now the only American Winner of the TdF but also demonstrably a clean one. Given the way he gave up as he was getting dropped by people he'd never heard of a year before there was a cross roads (and therefore a CHOICE) and he had the moral backbone to take the right one.
Thats the one Dave - the Sarenne. Jeez imagine how drunk the Dutch will be with the race going up the Alpe twice. I'd imagine about twice as drunk as normal.
Should I be concerned that I have no idea what any of this thread is about? A drink called LemonD who sounds like a fruity DJ fights badgers, gets Dutch people drunk and wears a Sarenne? Sounds like a lot of dope going on somewhere?
Thats the one Dave - the Sarenne. Jeez imagine how drunk the Dutch will be with the race going up the Alpe twice. I'd imagine about twice as drunk as normal.
Will the dutch still turn up? with no Rabobank (Dutch National) team riding
Comments
"On a similar note the NHL missed an entire season a few years ago when the owners and the players couldn't agree on money. Imagine a year without a tour, it would be a shame but would put things in perspective for the 2014 tour !"
with respect, that was an issue over money and the problem with cycling isn't money. it's a system that needs cleansing not the financing of it. if sponsors pull out because they have no faith in the way the sport is being managed and their brand gets tainted, that's a much more powerful argument in the whole issue than 2 sides arguing over money.
McQuaid will go eventually, either voluntarily or with a boot up his arse, and I suspect the "management meeting" on Friday could see the start of the process as there is an upswell of feeling from the constituent members of the UCI that will start pushing for this.
it doesn't seem to matter if you're a pro or an amateur as the temptations to juice to win are there at all levels viz. the age group triathlete just busted in the US for testosterone. and I guess amateurs feel they can get away with it more as they aren't as routinely tested but drug testing is filtering down now. we did a local tri in SW France in September - probably on a par with one of the bigger UK ones with race distances of sprint, standard, middle and LD plus paratri and maybe 1000 competitors in total across all distances. there was a drug test tent at the finish area - something I've never seen in any UK event outside IM.
Its never going to affect me but imagine you were a good AG racer, but you always missed the qualification by 5 mins to get to Kona 6 or 7 times. Then someone says "look mate , youve spent thousands chasing qualification, 200 quid in my pocket and you will have that little extra to get you there" There will be those who are tempted. Sadly it is human nature to look for an "easy" way.
It could be as simple as a few patches to get you from cat 3 to cat 2 racing say. People dont necessarily cheat for money. They sometimes cheat to say "I did this" Yes I know they are only cheating themselves, but if people are prepared to dope just to get kudos, imagine what it is like when there is money and prestige at stake.
Zero tolerance is the way to go, but you cant turn back the clock. What we do need to do, is clean house at the top, where complicity compounded the problem as the man concerned made lots of people lots of money and make it known there is a new sheriff in town.
Exactly. A new Sheriff in town.
Not the old dodgy one who was pals with the biggest Varmint around and took his cash.
Get someone in from another sport even. We need fresh blood to protect the riders. It has to be an environment where a clean rider can win and the penalties of being found out outweigh the benefits.
Possibly could have phrased that better!!
Anyway they'll need all the drugs they can get on Stage 18 this year Alpe D'Huez twice!
I had to guffaw when I read that - nice one cougs!
Dammit.
Yes that twice up the Alpe will be awesome. I've done that descent off the back of the Alpe before now - its spectacular. Only the bottom half was tarmacced. The top part was a gravel road - with fords and unguarded hairpin bends. I was clearly young and foolish in those days to come down there at speed !
I'm guessing they'll tart it all up a bit for the peleton if its not been done already.
Armstrong has magically disappeared
And so bizarrely has 1999 to 2005.
That will be a slow stage or will it!!!!
cougie - I know the Alpe a bit but you must know it a lot better by the sounds of it - where is this road that they are tarmacing to get back down ?
And then you descend only to have to climb back up to descend back down again.
Didn't see any cars using it. Just Phil Anderson climbing coming the other way.
OK I think I know where you mean - had a look on google maps and it looks very nice.
Over the Col de Sarenne ?
I think Fat Greg's been talking to Bassy about Fat Pat. Lemondindeed. On the basis Lance has never been able to find a bean on Lemond despite being desperate to and having the money and vindictive nature to do so (as well as stating he would) I think we can assume that not only is Greg now the only American Winner of the TdF but also demonstrably a clean one. Given the way he gave up as he was getting dropped by people he'd never heard of a year before there was a cross roads (and therefore a CHOICE) and he had the moral backbone to take the right one.
As UCI were.
I read LeMond's letter earlier this morning - he basically sums it up in one sentence:
"I want to tell the world of cycling to please join me in telling Pat McQuaid to f##k off and resign."
fair enuff I suggest. not sure how the McBruggen duo will see it though.
This is gonna make a great film. I think Greg Lemond should be played by Chuck Norris.
Thats the one Dave - the Sarenne. Jeez imagine how drunk the Dutch will be with the race going up the Alpe twice. I'd imagine about twice as drunk as normal.
+1
Lemond is cool. Anyone who has to win the tour by battling the badger who was on his own team is clearly double hard.
Should I be concerned that I have no idea what any of this thread is about? A drink called LemonD who sounds like a fruity DJ fights badgers, gets Dutch people drunk and wears a Sarenne? Sounds like a lot of dope going on somewhere?
Anybody who gets shot in the back (and then wins the Tour twice more with pellets still in his body) is as far as I'm concerned, LeMan.
Will the dutch still turn up? with no Rabobank (Dutch National) team riding
Will there be double the number of carvans and camper vans?
Interesting radio Interview with Greg LeMond here:
http://www.newstalk.ie/2012/sport/237288/
http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/917595-defiant-lance-armstrong-tweets-picture-with-seven-tour-de-france-jerseys
complete arrogance. obviously still in denial
God he really is an arse, isn't he...