I trained my butt of then and it was supremely discouraging getting stomped by the Dutch & Belgians time after time. I remember being so proud and happy when I finally got to the point of finishing races with the pack, but straining to keep it to myself.
Now years later, everyone says it's rest that makes you stronger! Haha--in that case, maybe averaging 4 hours of sleep a night wasn't the best tactic? I remember thinking I must have not had good cycling genes, because all these sickly Dutch guys on my team seemed so lazy and ate nothing but frites. (Turns out I was being a dummy by remaining in a constant state of exhaustion. haha)
Why not just straighten yourself out here? We have nicer weather, better food (but not beer).

Between this and the Landis episode, I'm glad I'm not an American trying to race there now. Check out Parkin's "Dog in a Hat" about an American who actually had some success racing in Belgium just a few years after I was there.

Hopefully today's and tomorrow's riders are watching this and giving serious thought to racing clean. I have hope it'll evolve past this ugliness.