given there is a rumor of another rider doping, and that it is Soler and Barloworld, a couple thoughts as to why it might not be:
(a) The original story was in Danish, which just happens to be in the country where Rasmussan was caught. As such, this could be nothing more than a hit piece from a sympathetic paper. I would place money the rumor was leaked by the Rabobank squad, which I am sure if looking to drag others into the mud so that Rabobank is not completely singled out for doping. (Even though Astana is also up there).
(b) Why a press conference tomorrow? I mean, Astana and Cofidis were both kicked out without much of an official press conference. Why an official conference, especially if the results are the same as Cofidis or Astana? This leads me to speculate that it has to due with Rasmussan, and is an official press conference in order to properly present additional evidence as to why Rabobank and the ASO/UCI decided Rasmussan needed to be taken out of the Tour.
(c) If Rabobank leaked this, why would they lie if it involved Rasmussan? This makes me speculate that it is Soler, and therefore, Barloworld will be asked to leave the Tour.
(d) Anyone speculating that it might be Contador, and because it is Team Disco, and another Yellow Jersey leader, they want an official press conference in order to deal with another leader being kicked off the Tour?
Any thoughts?
Any additional information?
'nother
07-27-07, 10:16 PM
i) it is almost certainly Soler. There may be a side story on Rasmussen as well, but his goose is already cooked.
ii) the press conference will not be so much to announce these facts, but rather for the Tour organizers to accede that they are in fact Johnny-come-latetelys to the doping/cycling scene, that they know nothing about the sport, and that they would like to know how to shave their legs properly. They will beg for botto to come help them, because he is right, and they are wrong. "That is all."
I think he meant http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2007/tour07/news/?id=/news/2007/jul07/jul28news
But I don't see any revelations there, as of right now at least. But there are plenty of others saying Soler.
shawnj73
07-27-07, 10:27 PM
It does not say Soler, but it defiantly says that their is a press-conference at 11 tomorrow. Sorry for the bad link!
Randomus
07-27-07, 10:29 PM
I certainly hope the press conference is not related to Soler and Barloworld, but... :o
VT Biker
07-27-07, 10:31 PM
That is what is odd. Why have the Press Conference at 11:00. However, that is 11:00 local time, so anyone know if this is before the start of the TT?
One explanation is that Barloworld is saving face, and asked Soler to leave and the ASO is allowing the remaining Barloworld riders (Hunter is 2nd for the Green Jersey) to remain in the race. They want to announce this so there is no confusion as to why there are Barloworld riders still riding in the TT.
It is just odd, since in all other situations, I would have to imagine that some other organization would have reported a raid on Barloworld's Hotel.
sgrundy
07-27-07, 10:37 PM
Belgian sources are reporting the raid.
HigherGround
07-27-07, 10:41 PM
That is what is odd. Why have the Press Conference at 11:00. However, that is 11:00 local time, so anyone know if this is before the start of the TT?
According to the Cycle Sport magazine's Guide to the Tour, the first rider departs at 10:43 (local time) and the last is scheduled to leave at 16:20. Of course there's probably substantially less riders in the race than was expected when the guide was printed, so the last rider's time is probably earlier...
VT Biker
07-27-07, 10:42 PM
But why is NO other news organization, especially the French news papers reporting anything. I mean, these guys are locked in on all other doping scandals, and yet, this one is out of their hemisphere.
Just odd.
VT Biker
07-27-07, 10:43 PM
According to the Cycle Sport magazine's Guide to the Tour, the first rider departs at 10:43 (local time) and the last is scheduled to leave at 16:20. Of course there's probably substantially less riders in the race than was expected when the guide was printed, so the last rider's time is probably earlier...
Or they moved the start time up, allowing for the Press conference to occurr prior to the TT.
To hold this press conference during the TT is stupid. Everyone should be focusing on the riders.
'nother
07-27-07, 10:45 PM
Oh yeah, it's all so "odd". Incredible, really. Just more Johnny-come-lateleys who know nothing about the sport, trashing its good name while knowing nothing about it. Newbies.
Randomus
07-28-07, 03:18 AM
Looks like it won't be long before we figure out what this whole issue deals with.
pedalada
07-28-07, 04:09 AM
According to TDF at 12:09 Robert Hunter was on the course so it looks like Barloworld are still in. Leading me to believe this entire thing was a hoax.
roadwarrior
07-28-07, 04:41 AM
But why is NO other news organization, especially the French news papers reporting anything. I mean, these guys are locked in on all other doping scandals, and yet, this one is out of their hemisphere.
Just odd.
Yes, it is...
the5h4rk
07-28-07, 04:48 AM
well... did this press conference happen or not?
Nordvang
07-28-07, 04:53 AM
Yes there was a press conference, Soler have not tested positiv on drugs.
harlond
07-28-07, 04:58 AM
Yes there was a press conference, Soler have not tested positiv on drugs.Good news, IMO.
roadwarrior
07-28-07, 05:12 AM
Yes there was a press conference, Soler have not tested positiv on drugs.
Thanks...
So I guess Cannondale can, with the good permission of the "experts" here on Bikeforums, continue in their glee...
Lithuania
07-28-07, 05:40 AM
the doping fiends must be crushed by this news
VT Biker
07-28-07, 06:19 AM
Dude,
I am not crushed. I have been rooting for Soler all along and am a fan of Barloworld due to their Cannondale connection.
But up until now, the rumors all appeared to have merit, as they led to actual findings. So when another hit the internet, guess what...many of us assumed the worse, and rightfully so.
roadwarrior
07-28-07, 06:29 AM
This was such a non-event that I didn't even hear it mentioned on Versus pre-race show.
HigherGround
07-28-07, 06:59 AM
Yes there was a press conference, Soler have not tested positiv on drugs.
So, what was the conference about?
Edit: Never mind, I saw the answer in the other thread.
dagna
07-28-07, 07:04 AM
It was about Tour organizers 'divorcing' themselves from the UCI.
pedalada
07-28-07, 08:03 AM
One of the most classic examples I've seen of total internet BS. The first clue was that the story broke on a Danish sport site (even claiming police raids on the Barloworld hotel). At least 6 internet news sources were sucked in including the relatively reliable cyclingnews.com
Everyone should know by now that when someone comes up positive in France it gets leaked to L'equipe first.
Randomus
07-28-07, 09:20 AM
That Danish sports site got plenty of hits for publishing such B.S... :rolleyes:
Glad to see that Soler will indeed win the KOM jersey.
alanbikehouston
07-28-07, 09:53 AM
..Everyone should know by now that when someone comes up positive in France it gets leaked to L'equipe first.
You are right about L'Equipe. The tech who did the first test on Landis says she gave the results to ONE person only...the head of the French testing lab was given the results at around 9 p.m. When L'Equipe went to press three hours later, they had the full test results. The lab didn't bother providing the results to the folks who run the Tour or to Landis until AFTER L'Equipe was on the streets...those wacky French...
ryanspeer
07-28-07, 01:00 PM
the doping fiends must be crushed by this news
Oh, indeed. :)
gcl8a
07-28-07, 01:40 PM
Dude,
I am not crushed. I have been rooting for Soler all along and am a fan of Barloworld due to their Cannondale connection.
But up until now, the rumors all appeared to have merit, as they led to actual findings. So when another hit the internet, guess what...many of us assumed the worse, and rightfully so.