Every year there are cries to clean up cycling, and nothing changes. Maybe now that teams are getting more actively involved in the policing and that the sponsors ($$$) are disappearing or on the verge thereof, some substantial changes will occur. Regulation alone was never going to cure it. I'm not delusional enough to think it will ever be 90%-100% clean, but at least get the sport to a point where doping isn't the norm and socially acceptable amongst the professionals.

This is just a shocker though. Wow. Pulling out a top 10 guy is one thing, a guy with a virtual lock on the yellow in Paris though, wow.

They wouldn' have todays doping test results done. I'd guess its some allegation in his past, which IMO would be a disapointing reason to pressure him out. It would be even sadder if it was just general media pressure.

But he's tested everyday in Yellow, so it could be yesterday's test, or the day before etc.

i read where he had 14 negitive tests during the tour so why pull the plug, were the bomb threats aimed at robobank what are we not seeing in this story
contodor will not be happy in yellow getting it this way

wtf is going on

High probability he's positive for something on the A sample.

Possibly. Possibly not. I am relieved to learn he wasn't pulled because of a death threat or something along those lines.

Lying about being in Mexico when he was in Italy? How could he think that would never be found out?

This latest news along with the previous days happenings is very disheartening. But i will continue to watch the Tour. The only thing is that it just won't feel the same when Contador wins. I'd rather have him beat Rasmussen on the road rather than this way.

Hopefully this will open the eyes of the other dopers to stop.

It's not the end of the TdF as we know it but it certainly doesn't shine a good light on the race or cycling. Who knows... maybe some good will come from it later on.

In the meantime, maybe the dopers can start their own league now... oh wait, they already have one. It's called the Pro Tour! Doh! lol!

So one suspected doper is leaves, leaving another to take the win instead. People forget that Contador rode for Saiz and was initially involved in OP.

I'm not giving up on following the Tour (hell, we only got four days left), but probably won't waste time watching today's stage, waiting for me on my DVR when I get home.

Good for Levi, he had a really fine ride today and was beat by a guy who had serious questions about him. I've never heard a whiff of rumour about him, he deserves the podium place if he can keep it together until Paris.

So, how far back is Menchov?

LOL Evans must be breathing a little easier and LL must be tickled at a great op to podium. Sucks this way but man what a story!

Still watching and hoping this is good for the long term of cycling. I didn't like him, but hope he was kicked out for some good reasons.

So, how far back is Menchov?

Way too far.

Le Yawn!... This is more drama than Grays Anatomy..

I hope it wasn't because of intimidation. I'm definitely not a fan of his, but unless there's some illness or rules violation, the race needs to be determined on the road.Yea he was NOT in Mexico like he claimed but ITALY (you know home of the dope doctors Michele Ferrari, Luigi Cechini, etc), Hmmmmmm.

I done with this, why care now. If his tests were good during the tour than why pull him...

I am about ready to give up on pro cycling....

"However the team has learnt that Rasmussen lied to them over where and what he was up to during the month of June when he was in fact in Italy and not in Mexico as he had told them."

So its rabobank firing him and not the TdF. Seems lame to me. How often was he tested in and out of competition this year and last? I guess though the team is in the best position to evaluate the evidence, but I still think its sad if it was finding a technicality to bow to lame media pressure :(

Yea he was NOT in Mexico like he claimed but ITALY (you know home of the dope doctors Michele Ferrari, Luigi Cechini, etc), Hmmmmmm.

Not Ferrari! He just helps riders with their training schedules.

I can't wait for Neil Rogers in his full surfer accent to ask Levi point blank who he thinks will take the GC.

Here is what I think happened.

1. There was more to the story than 'accidentally' missing a test and/or sending a letter. The dutch officials wouldn't throw a potential TDF winner, KOM winner, etc off the team unless there was more going on that hasn't made the press.

2. Rabbobank mgmt either knew or suspected that what he was up to in Mexico/Italy/whatever - perhaps even a team mate fessed up or he confessed to them. Either way, they knew it was going to blow up and rather than continue stepped forward.

Given this, the Rabbobank mgmt needed to save the team and sponsorship and pulled the plug.

Yup Its a silly case, Its cus of 4 warnings Michael got, some Warnings from ''Anti doping'' denmark, cus he didnt tell where he was 2 times in May and June, acording to that they couldnt test him for doping. but he is ''clean''. so rabobank says he broke the rules, and now he's of Rabobank and the Tour'..

tbh this **** is silly, he didnt show up but wtf they testet him later without any negative results. they are complaining about this much ( 0 ) Im Very angry

LOL Evans must be breathing a little easier and LL must be tickled at a great op to podium. Sucks this way but man what a story!

Seriously doubt that either Evans nor Levi are thrilled with this turn of events. Higher possible podium finish? Yes. But still, doubt either one of them are going to walk away from this being happy with how things appear to be unfolding.


Yup Its a silly case, Its cus of 4 warnings Michael got, some Warnings from ''Anti doping'' denmark, cus he didnt tell where he was 2 times in May and June, acording to that they couldnt test him for doping. but he is ''clean''. so rabobank says he broke the rules, and now he's of Rabobank and the Tour'..

tbh this **** is silly, he didnt show up but wtf they testet him later without any negative results. they are complaining about this much ( 0 ) Im Very angry

Uhm....huh?

"However the team has learnt that Rasmussen lied to them over where and what he was up to during the month of June when he was in fact in Italy and not in Mexico as he had told them."

So its rabobank firing him and not the TdF. Seems lame to me. How often was he tested in and out of competition this year and last? I guess though the team is in the best position to evaluate the evidence, but I still think its sad if it was finding a technicality to bow to lame media pressure :(He's supposed to give them his whereabouts so he can be tested at any time. It looks very much like he was evading the testing regimen.

Yeah also, I am in no way less of a fan of cycling as a sport. I still love it.

I done with this, why care now. If his tests were good during the tour than why pull him...

I am about ready to give up on pro cycling....

Because he lied to them about his whereabouts and the only reason he would lie is to cover up something devious, which if revealed what, will be bad for them especially if he won the tour.

"However the team has learnt that Rasmussen lied to them over where and what he was up to during the month of June when he was in fact in Italy and not in Mexico as he had told them."

So its rabobank firing him and not the TdF. Seems lame to me. How often was he tested in and out of competition this year and last? I guess though the team is in the best position to evaluate the evidence, but I still think its sad if it was finding a technicality to bow to lame media pressure :(

It’s not about testing positive, if that was the case dozens of KNOWN dopers would still be riding, not ALL methods of cheating are detectible, this clown LIED about where he was and INTENTIONALLY missed several scheduled drug tests and was not in Mexico but ITALY! You know the Italy of dope doctors Michele Ferrari and Luigi Cechini.

Here is what I think happened.

1. There was more to the story than 'accidentally' missing a test and/or sending a letter. The dutch officials wouldn't throw a potential TDF winner, KOM winner, etc off the team unless there was more going on that hasn't made the press.

2. Rabbobank mgmt either knew or suspected that what he was up to in Mexico/Italy/whatever - perhaps even a team mate fessed up or he confessed to them. Either way, they knew it was going to blow up and rather than continue stepped forward.

Given this, the Rabbobank mgmt needed to save the team and sponsorship and pulled the plug.+1

I agree completely. The sport could ill afford 2 years in a row of a disgraced/questionable "winner."

So now that Contador wins the TdF an alleged Dr. Fuentes client wins the tour? Hardly an improvement.
Yeah I know the UCI cleared him, but they didn't seem to have gotten the evidence against him ("document 31"). Jörg Jackse seems to collaborate the story. So what if they find Contadors DNA in the Fuentes blood bags 3 month from now?
If Discovery are smart they let Leipheimer win the Tour.

--
Regards

I' about ready to forget about all this and go have some beers, or go ride. Just can't decide which one.

Go for a ride. Then have some beers.

Unreal. I hope Contador, Evans & Levi are squeaky clean for their own sake, if not for the TdF.

"However the team has learnt that Rasmussen lied to them over where and what he was up to during the month of June when he was in fact in Italy and not in Mexico as he had told them."

So its rabobank firing him and not the TdF. Seems lame to me. How often was he tested in and out of competition this year and last? I guess though the team is in the best position to evaluate the evidence, but I still think its sad if it was finding a technicality to bow to lame media pressure :(

I think you're missing the point. Why would he lie to his team about being in Mexico when he was in Italy? That lie would make no sense whatsoever, if there weren't another lie (of consequence) behind it?

Can Contador be far behind? Will he wear the yellow jersey tomorrow? Holy SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!

... Brad

So now that Contador wins the TdF an alleged Dr. Fuentes client wins the tour? Hardly an improvement.
Yeah I know the UCI cleared him, but they didn't seem to have gotten the evidence against him ("document 31"). Jörg Jackse seems to collaborate the story. So what if they find Contadors DNA in the Fuentes blood bags 3 month from now?
If Discovery are smart they let Leipheimer win the Tour.

--
Regards

Do you think Cadel will give them his permission? :rolleyes:

I wonder how Vs. telecast will go tonight with this development occurring between the actual event and the evening broadcast.

This is Crazy, and my comment is : wTF are u doing? He aint doped so screw it...

If this will end with a 100 % sure case that Michael is out of the tour,, it wont be the same.

and the president migth stop the race. thats what i think

I think you're missing the point. Why would he lie to his team about being in Mexico when he was in Italy? That lie would make no sense whatsoever, if there weren't another lie (of consequence) behind it?

We all know who is in Italy. He shares his name with a famous Italian auto maker. Vroooom!

... Brad

I wonder how Vs. telecast will go tonight with this development occurring between the actual event and the evening broadcast.

I imagine they finished taping the evening segment hours ago; so similar to last night's rest day recap (recorded prior to Vino's news)...it'd be bit surreal.

correct me if i'm wrong, and i may be, but isn't missing 3 tests in 18 months a suspension? i don't even know why they let it get to 4, and didn't do something about it earlier, i guess it just shows that not all riders are treated equally...

and i'm sorry, but this is the best TdF photo ever...

http://www.velonews.com/images/details/12944.19878.f.jpg

Usatoday reporting a rider taken away by police, but they didn't ID who it was, anyone know?

It'll be interesting to see if AC wears the yellow jersey tomorrow since he didn't take it from Rasmussen. Lance didn't want to wear it after the TTT in 2005 since he earned it due to David Z's accident.

Here is what I think happened.

1. There was more to the story than 'accidentally' missing a test and/or sending a letter. The dutch officials wouldn't throw a potential TDF winner, KOM winner, etc off the team unless there was more going on that hasn't made the press.

2. Rabbobank mgmt either knew or suspected that what he was up to in Mexico/Italy/whatever - perhaps even a team mate fessed up or he confessed to them. Either way, they knew it was going to blow up and rather than continue stepped forward.

Given this, the Rabbobank mgmt needed to save the team and sponsorship and pulled the plug.
+1

No way they Rabo fires Ras based on what the public knows so far. I suspect we'll find out soon enough.

****
now my performance bike fantasy team is gonna be screwed :rolleyes:

This is Crazy, and my comment is : wTF are u doing? He aint doped so screw it...

If this will end with a 100 % sure case that Michael is out of the tour,, it wont be the same.

and the president migth stop the race. thats what i think

Oven cleaner fumes can be hazardous.

Usatoday reporting a rider taken away by police, but they didn't ID who it was, anyone know?
Cristian Moreni

http://www.velonews.com/tour2007/news/articles/12930.0.html

Usatoday reporting a rider taken away by police, but they didn't ID who it was, anyone know?

Cristian Morenis from Confidis..


So confidis is out 2. this aint a worthy tour to spend hours at >.<

Seriously doubt that either Evans nor Levi are thrilled with this turn of events. Higher possible podium finish? Yes. But still, doubt either one of them are going to walk away from this being happy with how things appear to be unfolding.



yes you are absolutely right - i was simply following the sarcasm of the previous thread :P

Here is what I think happened.

1. There was more to the story than 'accidentally' missing a test and/or sending a letter. The dutch officials wouldn't throw a potential TDF winner, KOM winner, etc off the team unless there was more going on that hasn't made the press.

2. Rabbobank mgmt either knew or suspected that what he was up to in Mexico/Italy/whatever - perhaps even a team mate fessed up or he confessed to them. Either way, they knew it was going to blow up and rather than continue stepped forward.

Given this, the Rabbobank mgmt needed to save the team and sponsorship and pulled the plug.

I see this as quite plausible - after I get past the part about Dutch officials making decisions about the Danish National team. :)

I think, Contador will win, and LL will get the second place, Evans 3, Sastre 4..



Its Sad to end this tour de france like this :'/

So what is the prize money this year? I thought the winner was around $500,000, and second place less then half that.

correct me if i'm wrong, and i may be, but isn't missing 3 tests in 18 months a suspension? i don't even know why they let it get to 4, and didn't do something about it earlier, i guess it just shows that not all riders are treated equally...

and i'm sorry, but this is the best TdF photo ever...

http://www.velonews.com/images/details/12944.19878.f.jpg


it was 3 test from 2 differernt organizations.

3 from one would be a suspension

Usatoday reporting a rider taken away by police, but they didn't ID who it was, anyone know?

This is so this morning's doping news. It was Moroni.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/25/AR2007072501043.html

****
now my performance bike fantasy team is gonna be screwed :rolleyes:

None of us were going to win anything anyways.