Road Bike Racing - The Columbia/Garmin transparent dope testing program a model for all pro sports?

I think an individual athlete can dope in pro cycling, but if he is on a team where the culture from the top down is clean cycling and thorough testing, it would be next to impossible, you need help with EPO and masking agents, you're traveling all the time, I think this independent transparent dope control scenario will work. If it does, you won't be able to attract a big sponsor without such a program and soon all the teams will be on board. It could work to make pro cycling the cleanest pro sport on the planet in relatively short order. I really hope so.

Meh...

Or it could be a great cover vehicle to hide doping.

It's just the issue upon which the entire future of pro cycling hinges. I could see how this wouldn't interest anyone here.

It's just the issue upon which the entire future of pro cycling hinges. I could see how this wouldn't interest anyone here.

For me, it's gone the way of baseball. Purely entertainment at this point. If one is doing it, most of 'em are. It's all relative.

For me, it's gone the way of baseball. Purely entertainment at this point. If one is doing it, most of 'em are. It's all relative.

You seriously don't get it kid.

I just don't care much about the doom and gloom. I don't think cycling as i know it will die because people are doping. My pedals still turn.

This thread isn't about the future of cycling. It's about the future of pro bicycle racing. If you have no interest in that topic, why are you posting here?

Here's what I posted in another thread regarding this topic:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?p=7011607#post7011607

Like Phil Liggett, I'm an eternal optimist, always thinking that "clean" racing is right around the corner. I can't count the number of times over the years he's stated things like, "Well, after xxxx rider got busted for doping, hopefully now this will start a new era in drug free racing." And yet it still keeps popping it's ugly head, but he (and I) both see the glass as half full. Cooperation from squeaky clean sponsors and management can be nothing else but a step in the right direction.

There is too much motivation to dope- more so if everyone else is riding clean. The next undetectable method is always right around the corner and the temptation is too great for the hungry new riders. Doping has always been a facet of professional cycling, only the tolerance for that doping has changed. We ask seemingly superhuman feats from these kids and expect them not to use every available means to achieve it. Doping, unlike sneaking on trains, is impossible to root out yet that's exactly what everyone wants now- don't hold your breath.

Either except that doping is a part of the professional sport and that it can only be minimized or quit watching it on TV and find a new hobby you can accept for what it is rather than what you want it to be (like riding your own bike).

There is too much motivation to dope- more so if everyone else is riding clean. The next undetectable method is always right around the corner and the temptation is too great for the hungry new riders. Doping has always been a facet of professional cycling, only the tolerance for that doping has changed. We ask seemingly superhuman feats from these kids and expect them not to use every available means to achieve it. Doping, unlike sneaking on trains, is impossible to root out yet that's exactly what everyone wants now- don't hold your breath.

Either except that doping is a part of the professional sport and that it can only be minimized or quit watching it on TV and find a new hobby you can accept for what it is rather than what you want it to be (like riding your own bike).

I agree, but I think the dopers would be highly isolated and have a MUCH harder time doping if the Garmin/Columbia model becomes the new standard. If sponsors demand transparency and adherence to this new system, it will be awfully tough to dope in the pro peloton.

I agree, but I think the dopers would be highly isolated and have a MUCH harder time doping if the Garmin/Columbia model becomes the new standard.

Nah .... they'll just find another way to get around it.

... Brad

Nah .... they'll just find another way to get around it.

... Brad

We'll find out going forward I suppose. Let's hope you're too pessimistic and this new model succeeds. That way pro cycling might actually have a future.

i think you worry too much in your old age

i think you worry too much in your old age

I think you're right. You'll do it too. You'll see.

All the same it's great to hear you're getting laid kid.

Jeez TQ, how about those Cubbies? I looked at the standings yesterday. Ooofaaaa.

Pigs may fly yet.

I think you're right. You'll do it too. You'll see.

All the same it's great to hear you're getting laid kid.

You been outta the loop?


Jeez TQ, how about those Cubbies? I looked at the standings yesterday. Ooofaaaa.

Pigs may fly yet.

:thumb:

Though, it sounds like the Brewers nabbed Sabathia. That's bad twice over :(

The loop is in Chicago. That's where you live.

The loop is in Chicago. That's where you live.

Sorta. If i could afford to live downtown, i wouldn't be riding on a pedal force ;)

Sorta. If i could afford to live downtown, i wouldn't be riding on a pedal force ;)

Remember the New Yorker's view of the world TQ. It's not exactly MapQuest.

http://www.petergolden.com/Art/The_New_Yorker,_1976-03-29,_Cover_(View_of_the_World_from_9th_Avenue.PNG

Ahh, well, then you can put me in between the pacific and chicago. I'm somewhere in there.

Or it could be a great cover vehicle to hide doping.

Would this not be disasterous for the 'independent' testing group that the team has hired? One would hope they would have their own reputation to look out for. Someone getting caught by ASO or UCI testers from Garmin/Chipotle or another team with this model would not be good news for the outside testers hired by the teams.

Again I said one would hope....

Ahh, well, then you can put me in between the pacific and chicago. I'm somewhere in there.

Don't worry Tim, if the Cubbies go all the way, everybody's going to be familiar with Chicago.

Somebody must have caught the latest episode of 'Real Sports' on HBO...

:rolleyes:

Would this not be disasterous for the 'independent' testing group that the team has hired? One would hope they would have their own reputation to look out for. Someone getting caught by ASO or UCI testers from Garmin/Chipotle or another team with this model would not be good news for the outside testers hired by the teams.

Again I said one would hope....

Maybe I am so jaded about all sports in particular, but if this model was adopted by all sports, I guarantee that some enterprising young doctor or scientist could and would find a way to use it to mask doping.
There is just too much money in sports not to think this would happen.

You are all forgetting the player's unions. They are so heavily invested in the success of the players that they will never allow such transparency in the ball and stick sports.
Hell, the drug testing agencies call ahead, to the locker rooms and clubhouses, before coming to do the tests. And I don't mean an hour ahead. They call 3 to 5 days in advance so the team will have everything set-up to make the testing go more quickly. You don't think the trainers pass that info on to the players?

If football players and baseball players get caught using, they are just plain dumb!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As for Slipstream/Garmin/Chipolte, they aren't testing for dope. They are testing blood parameters and performance.

I agree, but I think the dopers would be highly isolated and have a MUCH harder time doping if the Garmin/Columbia model becomes the new standard. If sponsors demand transparency and adherence to this new system, it will be awfully tough to dope in the pro peloton.

I am not really that cynical, but what if the model itself is a sham? What if ACE is in the pocket of the teams? I'm no conspiracy theorist, believe me. But with so much on the line, and the history of the sport, nothing would surprise me....sad I know. (not that I believe this scenario, just saying.)

I am not really that cynical

I would be disappointed if a New Yorker wasn't cynical.

Just adding to the cynicism, it seems like more of a marketing scheme than an honest endevour.

but if he is on a team where the culture from the top down is clean cycling and thorough testing, it would be next to impossible

I tend to agree with you. Culture is effective at keeping lots of behaviors at bay. World War II stopped for Christmas day. Men sexually harass women at bars, on the street, and at parties. But they wouldn't dream of it at the church social. Why? Culture.

Just adding to the cynicism, it seems like more of a marketing scheme than an honest endevour.

Accordingly, your comment seems more pulled from the butt than keenly observed.

But they wouldn't dream of it at the church social.

Depends on the church.