Pro News

[Josh.E]

I used to think it was conspiracy theory stuff too, fueled by some illogical dislike of the guy. Unfortunately (and sadly), the more you dig into the sorted pro cycling world, and get past the Lance Armstrong PR machine "facts" about the guy ("did a lot of good for the sport" is actually one of his top 4 media talking points right now) the more you realize that the truth is more likely a lot closer to all the negative stuff you hear.

Pro cycling is messed up. Lance is one of the top 5 most powerful people in the sport, and he had an ongoing personal and business relationship with the president of the UCI, at the same time the UCI was tasked with monitoring cheating in the sport. There are SO many insider stories and allegations about his conduct, bribery, systemic doping, it is hard to ignore. There has been an ongoing federal investigation into Lance Armstrong at USPS for almost a year now, which would be unlikely to still be ongoing if they had not found any evidence.

I'm with Lister, I'd rather not relegate my favorite sport to being "no different than other pro sports" as far as doping and corruption goes. That's why that cyclingbc letter pissed me off. I'd rather see cycling as a leader in becoming something I'd be happy to encourage my kids to pursue to the highest level. I admit I could personally do much more to try to change it, but I don't think that should stop me from having an opinion about it.

[leftcoaster]

I'm tending to agree with Josh's analysis. Yes Lance Armstong helped raise the profile for road racing in North America. But so did Ben Johnson for sprinting in Canada until he was caught. And what baseball fan didn't enjoy watching Mark Mcguire slamming steriod fuelled home runs but is now left with a bitter taste.

This week the Spanish cycling governing body reversed itself and exonerated Contador for cheating (ignoring the plastic signature 'fingerprints' in his blood samples from doping) because he is a national hero. However, refreshingly, the U.S. government is investigating L.A.

We can accept that the pinacle of some of our favourite sports are dominated by cheats or we can not. I think Lister would make an excellent president of Cycling BC, and it may be the first small step towards doing what we can.

[RyanC]

...I think Lister would make an excellent president of Cycling BC, and it may be the first small step towards doing what we can.

Ooh... I think I hear a nomination..

R

[Plawless]

I second it. Seriously, I think this is a great idea.....

[Lister Farrar]

Thanks guys, but I gotta stay involved locally while my kids are this age.

Now Peter, there's an idea and a leader.

[leftcoaster]

methinks he doth protest too much...

[wonger]

At the very least we should consider a team outing to the next CBC AGM. Maybe it takes place somewhere close to a race...

[sylvan]

Is this the thread about Lance? Here are some clips from his testimony in 2005 in the $5-million lawsuit with SCA.

http://nyvelocity.com/content/features/ ... ion-videos

[AlW]

http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/02/ ... ver_160619

[sylvan]

http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/02/ ... ver_160619

"It's probably just a coincidence that a couple of days (after Contador was cleared) the Spanish cops rolled up a doping ring that dispensed — among other things — clenbuterol."

Albutero Clentador is going down for two years. Only question is whether it'll be before this year's Tour or after. After he wins it. After another clen-jacked shredding block in June to get down to Tour-winning race weight.

[Lister Farrar]

This is getting bizzare. He might be guilty, but if there was evidence for an industrial doping program, we wouldn't still be having these discussions. And, what does the word 'industrial' mean in this context? The powers that some are attributing to The Lance, seem boundless. I joked about him controling the weather a few weeks back, but it seems you (Lister and some others) are getting close to making that claim: He's responsible for poorly fitting frames, knee socks, and his own cancer. "Some have suggested that ..." Come on. These things lead us down a path where we believe in seat tube motors. Carbon frames can be made to measure. In many cases the tubes are made individually and then assembled. The only reason they aren't is expense - just like steel and aluminium bikes. You don't really believe that Lance's bike is exactly the same Madone as the one we can buy from ProCity do you? Now who's got their head in the sand?JT

Yup, it's bizarre, but I think you meant something else.

Re: industrial
I think there are a number of measures that Lance's doping was industrial: For one, 6 of his tests from 99 were positive for EPO, (tho' not actionable under the rules). That's a lot of times to be detected, indicating he was using it a lot. Microdosing has shown that it disappears in as little as a day. His 99 tests were over many days.

Two, he has had at least 4 teammates testify that he doped: Swart, Andreu, Landis and one interviewed by Novitzky, (but not yet named), three former employees , OReilly, Jongen and Anderson, and one sponsor rep MacIlvain (taped admitting this to Lemond) That's a big enterprise, maybe even an 'industry'.
http://velonews.competitor.com/2005/09/ ... tions_8820

(Note also the "regular visits" of three spanish doctors during the tour. Who needs three extra doctors, on top of the team docs, the tour docs, for regular visits?

Third, three seperate witnesses heard him tell the doctors when he was in hospital for cancer that he had doped using steroids, testosterone, epo, cortisone, hgh.

I said, I think we should leave to give you your privacy. I said that to Lance. And Lance said, that's OK. You can stay. And I turned to Frankie and I said, I think we should leave. And Frankie said, no, Lance said it's OK. We can stay. And so the doctor asked him a few questions, not many, and then one of the questions he asked was... have you ever used any performance-enhancing drugs? And Lance said yes. And the doctor asked, what were they? And Lance said, growth hormone, cortisone, EPO, steroids and testosterone.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/stor ... Id=5508863
A french tv crew caught his team dumping veterinarian blood replacement packaging 100 km from the team's hotel. That's not just dabbling in one or two things, , that's just about everything anyone has ever thought of using to dope with.

Re stock bikes:

It's a stock Trek Madone 6.9 which has been graphically customised for the seven-time Tour de France winner's return to professional cycling.

"This is a stock bike, we pulled it right off the line," said Trek’s team liaison man Ben Coates. "There’s no special person that builds Lance’s bikes, no special process they go through. Someone went to the back of the factory in Waterloo, Wisconsin and took the bike off the line and painted it up."

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/l ... rong-20045

Re giving himself cancer, just going on Landis's recollection of Lance telling him his own doctor, Ferrari, had been worried he contributed to Armstrong's cancer:

After Armstrong's cancer diagnosis, former teammates say, even Ferrari questioned his methods. "I remember when we were on a training ride in 2002, Lance told me that Ferrari had been paranoid that he had helped cause the cancer and became more conservative after that," says Landis.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/ ... z1EaQI4WJ1

[leftcoaster]

2:46 a.m.??? When do you sleep Lister?

[Lister Farrar]

Nights when I don't drink coffee to drive home after skiing, then cleaning a chalet, then packing...

[RyanC]

Wow. When I first read this a while back I thought it was a joke. Not so, apparently, and it looks like 'toothy' Grewal is serious(ly on the pipe). His community loves him tho.

http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/02/ ... way_161334

R

[Josh.E]

I love the alexi story. I like his unwavering belief that he can still compete. I also like that he trains with a tool rack trailer. Lister will like that he's not 100% sold on his carbon leopard vs his old steel race bikes.

I've been following his blog
http://alexigrewal.com/index.php/blog

[AlW]

I love the alexi story. I like his unwavering belief that he can still compete.

I've been following it as well. Great story. The brash, arrogant guy he was 25 years ago appears to be long gone, which is not surprising, given the tough times he's had since then. According to his schedule, his first race starts today (http://www.callvillebayclassic.com/Home). Will be interested to see how he does.

I also like that he trains with a tool rack trailer

Just a matter of time before a bike trailer makes an appearance at Wednesday hills.


Edit: Getting back to the original theme of this thread... http://velonews.competitor.com/2008/04/ ... ewal_74053