"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Nathan O'Neill positive

http://cyclingfansanonymous.blogspot.com

"Nathan O'Neill was terminated from the Health Net Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis following confirmation of a positive test for the prescription appetite suppressant Phentermine. The team was informed on September 24 that O'Neill's A sample returned the positive result in a test performed on August 12, following the Tour of Elk Grove. His B sample confirmed the positive result in a test performed on October 24. The team terminated his contract immediately upon notification of the positive B sample on October 29. According to UCI/WADA code, riders can legally use Phentermine out of competition with a prescription. However, there may be no trace amounts of Phentermine in a rider's system during competition.....O'Neill obtained the medication legally. However, he did not follow proper team protocol concerning the use of prescription drugs obtained, directed to be obtained or approved by the Team's Medical Director."

Yea a bummer....I like to watch him race too....

And it is sort of like getting busted for taking Dexatrim....too. Bummer to loose his job over that...rules are rules..

Meh.

Getting busted for appetite suppressants is like getting busted for J-Walking.

I'm guessing he'll get a 3 month ban or so. I don't know the rules but I think this is one of the serious-slap-on-the-wrist type offenses and subsequent punishments.

^^ yeah, something is seriously messed up if you get a 2 year ban for diet pills.

he might get 6-12. I hope so but I don't see less than that.

joe papp, now nathan o'niell... goes to show that doping doesn't turn a mule into a thoroughbred.

What's the advantage to a pro-cyclist in taking an appetite suppressant anyways? I seem to recall seeing a few of these (NFL too) in the last month or so.

Um...to keep weight off?

Power to weight ratio people...

Two fold: to lose weight, and some suppressants have an amphetamine-like effect.
They can also be used as blocking agents to attempt to hide other drugs under biochemical tests.

Note almost three months of testing period -that's a long time to be on that drug. They did O'Neill a favor.

While it may seem like a minor offense, Health-Net is not an unreasonable team, they know what these drugs are used for, and I'm sure they would rather have not have terminated his contract. But you're either anti-doping, or not. good on Health Net, hardly a sponsor that wants to be connected with doping riders.

joe papp, now nathan o'niell... goes to show that doping doesn't turn a mule into a thoroughbred.
eight time Australian Time Trial Champion. I think he's way out of Joe Papp's league.

I'd like to give him the benefit of the doubt here but there are legal and effective appetite suppressants if thats really what he used it for - caffeine and Hoodia for example. I don't see where it says he was on the drug 3 months. I would like to know how long it stays in the system since you're allowed to take it out of competition.

joe papp, now nathan o'niell... goes to show that doping doesn't turn a mule into a thoroughbred.
Comparing Nathan O'Neill to Joe Papp is like comparing Lewis Black to Botto. One is good at what he does and the other is trying to do what someone else is good at.

But then someone who knew anything about cycling would know that O'Neill is a solid rider.

How come I can't buy any cool amphetamine-like appetite killing drugs? What's UP with that? Pcad needs that. Or a nice eating disorder. How about both?

Comparing Nathan O'Neill to Joe Papp is like comparing Lewis Black to Botto.

They're two US based riders who were caught doping, there was no comparison. Duh.


One is good at what he does and the other is trying to do what someone else is good at.

Neither 'made it' on the European circuit, and yes, I'm aware that O'Neill spent 3 years with Panaria.


But then someone who knew anything about cycling would know that O'Neill is a solid rider.

For someone who loves to claim to be knowledgeable, I don't recall yo ever posting anything about your own races.

I wonder why that is? :rolleyes:

They're two US based riders who were caught doping, there was no comparison. Duh.



Neither 'made it' on the European circuit, and yes, I'm aware that O'Neill spent 3 years with Panaria.



For someone who loves to claim to be knowledgeable, I don't recall yo ever posting anything about your own races.

I wonder why that is? :rolleyes:I really think you need to break it down into smaller pieces. Maybe if you just go one letter per quote, it will become intelligible to you.

:searches Ebay for a Joe Papp signed Tour of Guadalupe KoM jersey:

Joe could make a career at being a bad cyclist. He's like the Bob Uecker (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Uecker) of cycling.

:searches Ebay for a Joe Papp signed Tour of Guadalupe KoM jersey:

Joe could make a career at being a bad cyclist. He's like the Bob Uecker (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Uecker) of cycling.That would be a disservice to Bob Uecker.;):)

I really think

really? that's a surprise.


you need to break it down into smaller pieces.

can't digest that much text at once?


Maybe if you just go one letter per quote,

would that help?


it will become intelligible to you.

Glass House. Stone. No throw.

really? that's a surprise.



can't digest that much text at once?



would that help?



Glass House. Stone. No throw.Better yet, stop posting until you've had a chance to google something that at least appears to be remotely intelligent.

And Botto, thanks. Believe me, I enjoy every opportunity you give.:roflmao:

Better yet, stop posting

good idea, you first.


until you've had a chance to google something that at least appears to be remotely intelligent.

trying that sh1t again? :rolleyes:


And Botto, thanks. Believe me, I enjoy every opportunity you give.:roflmao:

small pleasures for small minds.

now, as a friend recently reminded me, arguing with stupid people only makes you stupid. therefore, i'm done with you.

you have yourself a super fine day.

i'm done with you.You promised this once before. Please, stick to it this time.



you have yourself a super fine day.I already did.;)

Comparing Nathan O'Neill to Joe Papp is like comparing Lewis Black to Botto. One is good at what he does and the other is trying to do what someone else is good at.


heh that actually made me laugh a little ;)

I just hope he doesn't try on the Shane Warne 'me mum gave it to me' excuse. :D

Farken Warnie.....(shaking head walking away)

Forget the drug itself. O'Neill deserves a ban for being an idiot. An anorexic (or ex-anorexic) taking easily detectable diet pills. WTF for? Its not like cycling doesn't burn a gazillion calories a day. What a goose.

God bothering anorexic diet pill popping idiocies aside, O'Neill is 10 times the bike rider that Papp is. He is one of the best pros on the US circuit and has the results to back it up, excluding Australian TT title victories.

They're two US based riders who were caught doping, there was no comparison. Duh.



Neither 'made it' on the European circuit, and yes, I'm aware that O'Neill spent 3 years with Panaria.



For someone who loves to claim to be knowledgeable, I don't recall yo ever posting anything about your own races.

I wonder why that is? :rolleyes:

actually, O'Neil was top 10 in both timetrials in the 2000 Vuelta. Or the 2001 Vuelta.

To me, that is close to the pinnacle of the sport. The Vuelta tt at that time, was about as deep as the Tour tt.

actually, O'Neil was top 10 in both timetrials in the 2000 Vuelta. Or the 2001 Vuelta.

To me, that is close to the pinnacle of the sport. The Vuelta tt at that time, was about as deep as the Tour tt.

That deserves some respect i think. The guy is one of the best tt'ers in the world. If i remember he finished 8th in the worlds that year -2001 , behind ullrich and millar. Rogers was 21st or so. Amazing how Rogers just got better once he got on the program when he joined QS.

You guys can hose O'neil all you want but the guy stands to lose a lot from this screw up - he has a wife and baby...I beleive him that he was using it OOC,in a legit way and the clearance time was longer than he was told.

That deserves some respect i think. The guy is one of the best tt'ers in the world. If i remember he finished 8th in the worlds that year -2001 , behind ullrich and millar. Rogers was 21st or so. Amazing how Rogers just got better once he got on the program when he joined QS.

You guys can hose O'neil all you want but the guy stands to lose a lot from this screw up - he has a wife and baby...I beleive him that he was using it OOC,in a legit way and the clearance time was longer than he was told.


I do not believe that for one minute. I think it is a short half life, and thus fast clearing, with stimulant properties. I think that would have been the most innocuous drug Oneil was running.

This is not an indictment of Oneil as an individual, but or the culture, I believe his personal responsibility is mitigate somewhat, because they are forced to adapt to the culture of doping, to have any impression in the sport.

and what would that half life be?? Its published that the drug has a half life of anywhere from 18-25 hrs. So let's be generous and assume that he metabolized the stuff at 25hrs per half life.... that means that basically 5 days post last dose it should have been virtually gone. The clearance time for all drugs is 5 half lives. If what i am hearing is true, and that he had a trace amount in his system, then that hardly constitutes blatant cheating. Sounds like he stopped taking the drug at least 5 days before elk grove... does that mean he was trying to get stimm'ed up for elk grove? Don't think so. If he wanted to take a stim for elk groe, why didn't he use something like caffeine/sudafed combo. That's legal... The answer?? He WASN'T TRYING TO CHEAT. He obviously mistimed the clearance time. There are other meds that can slow down the breakdown of phentermine too ... like some SSRI anti deppressants and such. WHich he was taking. I don't think we should shoot him down yet. What ever happened to giving someone the benefit of the doubt? No one on this forum knows for sure what the circumstances were.

I just don't think you put using an appetite suppressant in the same category as EPO.

I just don't think you put using an appetite suppressant in the same category as EPO.

If you really think that is true you should spend some time over at the competitive eating forum.