Friday update
Ex-Silence-Lotto rider and best friend to Popo, Volodymyr Bileka has tested positive for EPO. Who knows why it took until now for this news to see the light of day, considering that he tested positive back in April. (Remember, don't expect much of anything in pro cycling to make sense.) New pro-speak translation guide: I quit for "personal reasons" = I tested positive but am too much of a lame wimp to just admit it. Meanwhile, read between the lines a little in this case, and Popo's performance (or lack thereof) at the Tour suddenly looks rather different, doesn't it? And for Silence-Lotto, this is another strike against a team already under suspicion for the Leukemans case, where the team doctor was directly involved. Consider also that Silence-Lotto hired Dekker, when many other teams scrutinized his every detail and declined to give him a contract, and Rabobank (not exactly a strict anti-doping team) flatly refused to keep him. Meanwhile Marc Sergeant says he sees nothing at all wrong with Dekker. But of course not!
Piepoli admits...calls it "a mistake." Yes, premeditated doping that involves jamming a syringe into yourself, just a wee little unintentional mistake. Try again, petit Leo the Liar, your useless excuses are about as fantastical as your entirely fraudulent palmares.
Dueñas admits, after previously denying. How original. Now I wonder what Dr. Losa says to that?
Interesting summary of the Stein Bagger case.
Michael Rogers better be careful what he says or he may find himself subject to the patented "Simeoni treatment" by HRH at the Tour Down Under.
Christophe Bassons interview.
14 comments:
You missed Jonathan Page's missed doping control in Belgium: http://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2008/dec08/dec28news
Interesting explanation by his wife. Either you are a professional and know your responsibilities or you are not, in which case one should stick with cycling as a hobby.
That is interesting, and makes Popovych's hurrying to Astana more obvious. But Silence wouldn't be a team to be suspicious of (hiring Dekker), and not have 'aided' Popovych.
Hey Anonymous 6:42,
Have you ever been to a Euro Cross race as a pro? Do you know the details of doping controls or the specifics of this event's testing announcements? I didn't think so.
Just to remind you, Page is by far the best American cyclocross racer of the last decade in European events. You may not be aware of that.
To try using this as an indicator that he is unprofessional and unaware of his responsibilities is an ignorant assumption. Perhaps reading more and collecting information before throwing people under the bus should be your "hobby."
Were you one of the donkeys heckling in KC at Nationals?
@ Page Is No Chicken: You can believe in the propaganda published on Pages' website (where only sympathetic comments are allowed by the moderator) or accept the reality that it is the sole responsibility of the rider to check. Everything else is irrelevant.
@Page Is No Chicken: Interesting, though laughable, logic. Why is it relevant that Page "is by far the best American cyclocross racer of the last decade in European events." He also manages to check whether his bike works and collects his prize and travel money. Is it too much to expect to also check whether or not he has a doping control. Face it mate, there are no excuses for his behaviour. So instead of finger pointing he and Cori should accept that the missed control is COMPLETELY Page's fault.
Baden Cook to Vacansoleil according to velo-club. Looks like rock is trying to downsize.
No one is "throwing people under the bus." But the fact is that JP broke a rule and now has to face the consequences, pretty simple in my opinion.
Interesting comments from Nys and Boom re: the Page situation. Both are sypathetic and point out if a Belgian had left early there's no way someone wouldn't have found him for the control. Nys says punishment is deserved but Boom remembers a similar case where none was handed out.
A former US National team rider named Jeff Evenshine missed a control at a pro stage race in Killington Vermont in the early 1990s. I think he got a 6 months suspension. That was back when there was different amounts of time someone could get suspended for doping--A few minute penalty in a stage race (Rooks and Theunisse) to 6 months like Steve Speaks for steroids. You could also argue your way out of the suspension like Sean Yates did when he tested positive at only one of the 2 races that we won in one day at the Tour of Belgium in 1989. There was more recently a guy who missed his control for the Masters World TT champs. Back to the main point about Page. It was a big mistake to miss the control. I hope he isn't banned for 2 years. This is cyclo cross you guys. No matter how nice their bikes are in the pits these guys don't make the money of the road guys. Page's results don't look fishy. I think he just made a mistake.
Above anon ouldn't have said it better. From my POV, I think Page's admitted it was his own fault.
Re:Lance being tested excessively-
What the hell does it matter where the tester comes from?
I see a drop in performance, like every other cyclist being heavily scrutinized, blamed on 3 years off. We'll find out in Italy.
I am not sure of the current position in Belgium, but up until a few years ago it was NORMAL for riders to be informed of dope controls before the end of a race. The result was that some of the selected riders went DNF with no questions asked. We are talking about a very shady world guys. The States is a long way from the reality of what is happening, you need to meet the characters who are around the riders to understand the depth of the problem.
Best wishes to all for the New Year.
I raced as an amateur in France in the 90s. If there was going to be a doping control there would be a big sign on a day glow poster board posted at the parking area of the race. The dopers could just go home right then. I agree with above... very shady world
Is Bileka another former teammate of Lance's who has tested positive? Who else is on the list? We have Tricky Beltran, Tyler Hamilton, Floyd Landis. Am I forgetting anybody?
Heras...
Too numerous to mention all the ex-Posties i've read about being "investigated".
New colors mean nothing. Same behavior as a few years ago by all.
Don't let it take any of my enjoyment away from competing. It's amusing, that's all.
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