Southern California - TdF: I recant! (no spoilers whatsoever)

It's deliciously ironic that after years of accusations against postal/disco and all the LA accusations, they're one of the the only team's who have never been busted (though some have admitted to it) and are now posed to have 2 riders on the podium this year.

We have the best technology :rolleyes:

I may be in the minority, but I find watching Rabobank fire their own is a good sign - that teams are now taking responsibilty for their own employees and not putting up with shenanigans. I hope it's the start of a new era in pro cycling. (Of course, having Rasmussen booed at the end of the stage is not a feel-good for the sponsor's image, but they must have had enough evidence to make the move.)

I just feel bad for Boogerd, Dekker and Menchov. They busted their @sses for the guy.

I totally agree... I also feel bad for the remainder of the Cofidis squad who made it through the hardest part of the tour only to have to pull out because of Moreni doping

We have the best technology :rolleyes:

Sadly, I was thinking that also.

I totally agree... I also feel bad for the remainder of the Cofidis squad who made it through the hardest part of the tour only to have to pull out because of Moreni doping

I still cannot get over the irony of Moreni participating in a protest (with his team) at the start of stage 16 and then getting arrested for doping at the finish line of the same stage.

I still cannot get over the irony of Moreni participating in a protest (with his team) at the start of stage 16 and then getting arrested for doping at the finish line of the same stage.

It probably would have been weird for him to say "Uh, guys, I think I'll just catch you later."

Which teams are left?

Which teams are left?

the rest of them...which is quite a bit.

My new favorite is going to be "The Roach" his sloped back is too cool!

Huge week in sports. Tour de Cheaters, ref scandal in the NBA, Dog fighting, and Bonds is 3 away from breaking the record. On the radio they mentioned if he comes to San Diego, all the fans should wear orange T-shirts with black asterisk's on the front which are the Giants colors. :)

Sooo, I've got to go watch todays stage and see where Contador stands. Rasmussen cracked them all. Of course, he was out of touch for dope testing, and from what I understand with EPO, is that it boosts your cell count and goes away leaving no trace, but you gain better endurance. However there is a period where it can be detected, and well, if you are avoiding drug tests "administratively" that's just as good as being guilty in my book. I do think it's good that his own team fired him while in the lead, it does set a precedence and sends a message. I heard that Riis was stripped of his 96 tour crown, and Floyd is still in the air.

1996 winner Riis admits to doping
1997 winner Ulrich busted as part of operation Puerto
1998 winner Pantani dead from drug over dose
1999 - 2005 Armstrong clouded in doping allegations
2006 - Landis tests positive for testosterone
2007 - Yellow Jersey stripped from Rasmussen from missing doping tests


Not exactly a good track record over the past ten years...

So which is bigger news?

- Blood doping in the Tour?
- Michael Vick and his dog fighting escapades
- NBA referee betting on games
- Pacman Jones arrest
- Accusations of PGA using steroids or performance enhancing drugs?

So which is bigger news?

- Blood doping in the Tour?
- Michael Vick and his dog fighting escapades
- NBA referee betting on games
- Pacman Jones arrest
- Accusations of PGA using steroids or performance enhancing drugs?
By far -- this one has the biggest impact, IMO. Doping and performance enhancers aren't exactly a good thing, but a ref in charge of calling games changing the outcome for personal gain is huge.

Doping and performance enhancers are so pervasive that they're an issue that needs to be solved, but not earth-shattering news. And Vick's stuff is pathetic and wrong, but doesn't affect the integrity of a sport.

So which is bigger news?

1 - Blood doping in the Tour?
2 - Michael Vick and his dog fighting escapades
3 - NBA referee betting on games
4 - Pacman Jones arrest
5 - Accusations of PGA using steroids or performance enhancing drugs?

#1 and #4 are big, but nothing new.

#5 is nice to see, because it's been going on for a while, and it's about time it was brought up. But it will get swept under the carpet for several more years.

#2 is huge, but really only for one player. The league will come down hard on him.

So, I'm going with #3, because it is going to have an enormous impact on the entire league -- a league which already had a significant integrity issue (perception or otherwise).

#2 is huge, but really only for one player. The league will come down hard on him.


If he's guilty, I hope the league won't need come down on him. He should be in jail, for years. That (or almost any) sort of animal cruelty is sadistic and sociopathic. There is no need for those types of people to be in this society.

I'm going to go with #2, assuming the NBA thing is as limited as they claim it to be.

Cassave mentioned this article to me during the GT, it's a very interesting read...

Drug Test
Everybody knows that many athletes cheat by using performance-enhancing drugs like steroids, testosterone, and EPO. But what is it like to take these banned substances? Do they really help you win? To find out, we sent an amateur cyclist into the back rooms of sports medicine, where he just said yes to the most controversial chemicals in sports. (http://outside.away.com/outside/bodywork/200311/200311_drug_test_1.html)

Cassave mentioned this article to me during the GT, it's a very interesting read...

Drug Test
Everybody knows that many athletes cheat by using performance-enhancing drugs like steroids, testosterone, and EPO. But what is it like to take these banned substances? Do they really help you win? To find out, we sent an amateur cyclist into the back rooms of sports medicine, where he just said yes to the most controversial chemicals in sports. (http://outside.away.com/outside/bodywork/200311/200311_drug_test_1.html)


That's wild.

Cassave mentioned this article to me during the GT, it's a very interesting read...

Thanks for the link, John. It fascinating to see how much it can be a psychological addiction, too.

Cassave mentioned this article to me during the GT, it's a very interesting read...

Drug Test
Everybody knows that many athletes cheat by using performance-enhancing drugs like steroids, testosterone, and EPO. But what is it like to take these banned substances? Do they really help you win? To find out, we sent an amateur cyclist into the back rooms of sports medicine, where he just said yes to the most controversial chemicals in sports. (http://outside.away.com/outside/bodywork/200311/200311_drug_test_1.html)

Wow...fascinating! thanks...I gotta get some of that!:rolleyes:

Cassave mentioned this article to me during the GT, it's a very interesting read...

Drug Test
Everybody knows that many athletes cheat by using performance-enhancing drugs like steroids, testosterone, and EPO. But what is it like to take these banned substances? Do they really help you win? To find out, we sent an amateur cyclist into the back rooms of sports medicine, where he just said yes to the most controversial chemicals in sports. (http://outside.away.com/outside/bodywork/200311/200311_drug_test_1.html)

Great article. I still do not have any desire to take any of that stuff, but I could see how it could become addictive.

Cassave mentioned this article to me during the GT, it's a very interesting read..

Very good read! Thank you for sharing!

Very good read! Thank you for sharing!

that article is utlra old

I brought it up a couple of times during random group rides when people claim it makes no difference.

that article is utlra old



Yes, very old. How old were you when it came out... 10? ;)

What's with loose dogs on the tour route this year? Has anyone seen the bike vs. dog incident on today's stage?

Ovo needs to switch his avatar back to the psychokitty. It's not doping and ovo should have a good role model.

What's with loose dogs on the tour route this year? Has anyone seen the bike vs. dog incident on today's stage?

Stupid dog owners.

Ovo needs to switch his avatar back to the psychokitty. It's not doping and ovo should have a good role model.

quiet hippy 60's baby boomer guy with a crack pipe in his mouth!

Vinokourov is my HERO!

quiet hippy 60's baby boomer guy with a crack pipe in his mouth!

Vinokourov is my HERO!

He likes you too. He sent you this.

http://www.dkimages.com/discover/previews/928/90020568.JPG

He likes you too. He sent you this.

http://www.dkimages.com/discover/previews/928/90020568.JPG

actually, that was what Oloveg sent to to Vino...

actually, that was what Oloveg sent to to Vino...

ovo's blood would have made Vino slower.

ovo's blood would have made Vino slower.

ya i had to handicap the man otherwise he would flat out embarrass the Americans, Italians, French, Spanish etc by winning in the GC by 1hr+

Now Mayo tests positive for EPO?

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2007/jul07/jul31news

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=hill/070731&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab3pos1

Good article regarding US sports and doping.