Professional Cycling - TdF Doping Evictions - a good thing?

I think so. As tumultuous and unpredictable as this TdF is turning out to be - who's next?!? Contador? Levi? - I can't help but think this wholsale cleaning will be a good thing for 2008 and beyond. The shame and embarassment of these continued evictions MUST be taking a measurable toll on the racers, team managers, sponsors, etc. This year certainly sucks, but hopefully this will REALLY lead to clean racing next year. I can't help but think getting rock bottom - or at least close to it - is what this sport really needs. I think we're getting dangerously close if not already there.

Thoughts?

I think you are right. As others have said in other posts at least pro-cycling is taking legitimate (and hopefully sincere) measures to catch rule infractions. Turning a blind eye to it may give the appearance of a clean tour but that won’t work in the long run (or at the very least not any more). Hopefully this tour will be a year that is remembered for its relentless crackdown on drugs in sports and the start of a new era. We can only hope.

http://www.cuttingedgemuscle.com/Forum/showthread.php?threadid=18719

maybe

I think it's a good thing.

I think it's a good thing.

Ditto.

I would go further: it there is to be a future for pro-cycling this must be done. (But don't tell that to Botto et al....:rolleyes:)

It's just a thing. It won't change the situation one bit. Next year they'll all be back, with just as much cheating going on. Some may get caught, but the promise of winning without getting caught will prove too great for many.

It's just a thing. It won't change the situation one bit. Next year they'll all be back, with just as much cheating going on. Some may get caught, but the promise of winning without getting caught will prove too great for many.


Tough call. I think past events give credence to your stance. After all, nothing much changed after the 1998 TdF. but heck, being such a fatalist doesn't help things either. Lets face it -- if you can -- things were pretty much a free for all in terms of doping in pro cycling for the last decade in a half.... And the threat of the sponsors leaving will make cyclists; team managers; and , yes, the UCI think twice about letting things go on as usual. Money talks. Or at least I think and hope it will....

I'd like to see whoever steps up to the plate with major sponsorship of a team be more involved with the hiring and firing of riders who go against a code that they set up. If a Rabobank, Discovery Channel, etc. employee who had a desk job went against their employee code for whatever reason that involved illegal substances, etc., they'd be fired on the spot.

I'd love to see some big player say 'sure, we'll give you the $15M to run the team next year. But if there is one positive, we pull the plug on the whole thing. Not one person gets paid (directors, team managers, doctors, riders, mechanics) from then on'.

As long as it 'only' hurts one guy who makes a bad decision (the rider) then it will continue. Why aren't the Director Sportifs being axed? Mgmt?

I'm sure there would still be some riders willing to take the chance with other people's jobs/livelihoods/etc. for their own personal gain - maybe this wouldn't stop them either?!?

I think past events give credence to your stance.
Ya think?


After all, nothing much changed after the 1998 TdF.
Nor the very first TdF.