Road Bike Racing - Most creative excuse?

With Vanderbroucke (sp?), the drugs were "for the dog." Now, according to a team mate, recently busted Fabio Sacchi was taking drugs to help his wife become pregnant.

I do not laugh as it is a very serious matter that is taken in a funny perspective these days. Altering RBC so drasticaly in the body is something very dangerous and many riders have ultimately died due to this. Sadly here in the USA we do not hear of these cases but they are out there.

UCI needs to take stronger actions and quit spending so much time and money in courts. Anyone can get an excellent lawyer and tie things up. Look at Marco Pantani.

Guilty? Each federation is to set punishments. That simple. If a country wants to be relaxed on punishments then be it.

The problem has gotten so far out of hand that such raids are normally taking place and turning up evidence.

The problem is starting to affect the junior level so bad that it is being seen openly and these actions are being tolerated more and more at the amateur level. Believe meI have personally have had contact with such issues and know how rampant the problem is getting. There are still clean directors and teams out there but the numbers are too low.

I am sickend by the magazines that put VDB and such riders in covers and give them multi page stories. Do not give light to these riders and put them in the dark. Let us hear about better stories.

While I'm not a blind fan of Lance Armstrong
thats one of the good stories in cycling, comeback from
cancer and all. Same thing with JaJa and comeback after
back injury last year.
I agree that cycling as a sport needs more positive stories
especially if it is going to become more popular here in the states.

Marty

Cycling in the USA is doing very well. Main reason is cycling is not a lifestyle thus no pressure. Cycling is done for the fun of the sport. No real professional racing US scene. Cycling here in the US is mainly a hobby and most participating either never race or race a few times in their life to realize it is costly on that end.

I am very glad things are the way they are here and will remain the same.

Clean and fun. The way it should be.

However look at Pro Footbal or Baseball. They are not. Same with cycling in Europe.

I simply hope USPS Cycling Team manages to keep all they dirty laundry under the rug as they have for so long. With the departure of most of their solid team this year and what is to come. I am glad it has remain the way it is. Good for the sport here. However any ripples will not affect riders here or sales.

USPS Will have their first true test ths Saturday in Milan San Remo. We will see how George rides and how the team backs him up if at all. He is very disgusted with this and this will be the test.

Xavier,

I really can't disagree with anything you've said.
I'd really like to see Navigator team get the exposure
that USPS has, that would help US cycling too.
USPS has lost alot of its core riders but for TdF
I think Heras, Rubiera, Vande Velde, McRae and
Hincapie is a strong team (not sure who else will go).
It makes for an interesting tour, no?
Xavier are there any teams that don't dope? I'm
curious to get a professional opinion and not just
alot of bull from people who don't know (like myself!)

Marty

Navigators are nowhere near the level of USPS. Just last week we had the Redlands Classic locally and well I hate to say it but it was very clear that they really didn't actually raced but followed. USPS also did a terrible job.

US Cycling is doing very well and I hope it remains the way it is. Mercury lost out due to many greedy hands in the small cookie jar but bottom line was Mercury wanted a US schedule. That is their market. They were not getting what they wanted but they simply supported the decisions made. Sadly Vitel came in along with others and screwed a good thing. I feel very bad for Mr. Wordin whom has worked many years to get to this level.

Saturn, Prime Alliance are mainly the top teams currently. As long as cycling in the US remains a 'fun' sport and teams treat sponsors right, there will always be aid in the sport here.

It is not a question of teams doping but of individual riders. Bottom line is - It is very hard for team directors to control all their riders. Teams like ONCE are one of those teams that are trying to set a model team. Pablo Anton and Manolo Sainz are doing their best to keep all their riders using the same coaches, doctors, etc... However not all teams are succesful at this and here is where the problems strike the team organizations.

I personally do not care for this problems. I left the sport mainly due to this and never regret it. I know many really good riders that never make it and most are not sorry at all. Me included.

These riders know they are doing bad and they have to live with themselves. They choose to use illegal substances they should be ready to suffer consequences. Sadly lawyers got into the game lately and dragging such issues publicly and loudly.

Teams must make choices and punishments. Federations also must make these choices.

I am not out to takes ones livelihood from them. They depend on the money as I do with my shop.

It is very hard to be competetive in cycling today with out 'extra' aid. I can guarantee you there are clean riders out there. However none most have heard. They are solid in teams and always manage a contract here or there. Those riders sleep good at night and teams depend on their regularity.

The only problem that bothers me is those riders that use these 'extra' aids and rip others off.

Look at Virenque. Does nothing all year. Tour comes around and he is flying up climbs and taking KOM jerseys. Look at Pantani on that years Giro he won. Never has the man done a good time trial. Not only does he win but he flies. Such actions on races are questionable and personally they are acts of theft to riders that work hard all year.

Find a regular guy all year and you have a 'clean' rider.

Want a name? Look at Zabel. Kicks butt from February to October. Drugs do not do this but hard work, smarts and experience.

Xavier,

Thank you for your response. Its refreshing to hear
someone who actually knows what he/she is talking
about.
I'd love to see more US teams go pro and do well
and I'd like to see more americans take an interest.
At least thats one thing that USPS has done.
Of course it would help if US tv would show more
than 1/2 hour wrap up of TdF.

Marty

Americans are doing very well indeed and opened the doors for many English speakers in the sport. Australians are also coming out thanks to the surge.

I personally had a hard time since I went to Spain back in 1992 and Americans were not yet seen as riders. It took some years when Lance took the win in San Sebastian when all teams opened their eyes.

I believe cycling is doing very well here. It could do better with more events but it is always hard to get events started or continued. Too many greedy hands and in the end no funds.

Believe me. Sponsors are there. Just look at what happened to Mercury.

What would please me greatly was to see Apple Computers or Microsoft sponsor a team. Make 2 teams. A European based squad and a US based squad. Kind of like what USPS is doing.

Mapei tried as well as Festina a few years back but no real interest.

What the US needs is more persons to get shots at directing. I know I would make a great productive director. However it is not a job that interest me and one that is very hard to make real money to actually make a living. Many great directors in Europe w/o teams currently. Sad to see. Riders is not a problem. Directors would start teams and encourage a market place for more races. In turn more money being put into the sport.

The USCF also will want to actually aid the sport. I have yet to see the USCF really push for events and such.

I know other federations do much more in aiding events and teams.