Does anyone else question today's performance by Sastre, and Kloden? They rode their butts off yesterday, yet blew the field apart today without showing many signs of fatigue.
I find it awfully coincidental that Sastre, and Kloden ride for the same teams of Basso and Ullrich.
2006-07-19 07:12:59 · 8 answers · asked by conservativeguyfromnc 2 in Sports ➔ Cycling
Well, considering that nearly everyone implicated in Operation Puerto never tested positive, it's very hard not to be suspicious.
But, and even Phil Ligget mentioned this, the fact that this Tour has been been one heck of a roller coaster may indicate that this is possibly one of the cleanest Tours ever. If either Sastre or Kloden were indeed doping, I find it hard to believe they would have given Landis so much of a lead up until today's stage 16...much too risky a tactic (especially if we can't rule out the possibility of Landis also doping).
So this complete lack of consistency among the riders during this year's Tour makes it much more believable that no one is really performance enhancing.
Yes, Sastre and Kloden ride for the same teams as Basso and Ullrich, but keep in mind that Basso and Ullrich may have initiated contact with Dr. Fuentes on their own (as opposed to a more team-oriented effort by the ex-Liberty Seguros and Comunicad Valencia teams).
2006-07-19 10:52:25 · answer #1 · answered by Andrew H 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I applaud them for their performance today. I recognize that suspicions remain about many cyclists in the Tour but I don't suspect Sastre or Klöden more because they were teammates of Basso and Ullrich respectively. I suspect that Floyd may regret taking the yellow jersey again so soon. I'm afraid he is no longer in a position to retake the maillot jaune. Too bad, I was rooting for him. What is clear to me is that the Phonak squad is simply not as good as the Discovery/U.S. Postal teams that helped Lance to victory in years past.
2006-07-19 15:57:22 · answer #2 · answered by metimoteo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah but these days nobody is above suspicion, really.
But keep in mind, back in the pre-EPO days, roller-coaster Tours were the normal state. Lemond - Hinault battled the jersey back and forth several times, then Lemond - Fignon, same back and forth jersey exchange several time (ending in Lemond's famous 8 second victory on the last day), then Roche-Delgado, then Indurain came along and everybody was on dope.
So I agree with the guy above, just because you're on a doper's team doesn't make you a doper. And, roller coaster is more evidence of not doping, in my view, it's more realistic the way normal bodies work.
But... Dr. Fuentes did say there are riders still in the Tour who were "under his care" so who knows if he'll cut a plea bargain deal.
2006-07-19 22:01:42 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Has Ullrich and Basso been convicted?
Are they guilty until proven innocent?
2006-07-19 16:25:45 · answer #4 · answered by Ben P 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Please don't discount the work done by their fantastic support riders.
Did you see how hard Michael Rogers and Manzelini worked yesterday to help Kloden? He didn't need to do anything til about the last 5 kilometres.
Sastre didn't ahve any help yesterday, but the day before he was with Voigt and Zabriskie for much of the day.
2006-07-20 01:05:03 · answer #5 · answered by aggrieved_aussiette 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you only suspicious because the american is out of yellow?
2006-07-19 18:50:45 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
no, I'm not suspicious
everyone has good & bad days, it is all in the timing and recovery
go Levi!
2006-07-19 14:51:24 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's those beedy eyes I tell ya!
2006-07-19 14:15:14 · answer #8 · answered by jhrkickin 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋