It seems to me he must not have been. I mean, he already has had team members removed for doping, as well as fishing dealings with Michael Ferrari.
And - He also just ruined any chance for Kloden - who deserves much much more!
2007-07-24 07:04:06 · 10 answers · asked by ct 4 in Sports ➔ Cycling
Just an extra note for those that are so cynical to say that everyone is a doper.
What about NBA, NFL, MLB, etc.
Does everyone in the NFL beat their wives, and do cocaine? Not likely...
Also, people use doping to win, winners get caught, and it is publicized because they are winners...
I'm sure there are tons of riders that don't resort to this crap. You just can't escape hearing about the ones who do.
2007-07-24 07:25:44 · update #1
It sounds bad, bad. But I think a bit of level-headedness is called for. Has anyone heard Vinokourov's side of the story yet? I know it sounds bad, and I admit it certainly looks as if he's guilty - and if he is, he needs his head read - BUT, there's always two sides to a story, and we all know how the press can screw things up. So, I say, let's wait until we hear what he says himself. Don't forget, there's a lot of dirty business in cycling. With all the money involved, underhanded moves (switching samples, for example) are not at all unlikely. And then, don't just assume that the guys doing the testing know what they're doing. They seem to have been pretty incompetent at times in the past. Why do you think Landis is kicking up such a fuss? If he was 100% guilty, he wouldn't keep fighting his case. And even Armstrong was accused of doping, then found not guilty. And Pettachi has just been found not guilty of doping in the Giro, though he was supposedly guilty to start off with. So, personally, I'm waiting until I hear Vinokourov admit it himself. The big culprits are the organisers for not being able to get their act right. The testing procedure is shocking. The list of banned substances keeps changing. The cyclist doesn't know what he's allowed to take and what not. A nasal spray for asthma or hay fever? An ointment for saddle sores? Drink two or three cups of coffee before a race and you'll probably test positive! It's a mess, and the organisers are to blame.
2007-07-24 07:36:21 · answer #1 · answered by Homeboy 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I doubt he would have just unilaterally done this on his own.
Whether he did it with or without the team's implicit knowledge, it sure puts a stain on one of the most exciting riders in the Tour.
Maybe he was desperate after the crash. That's the only thing I can think that makes any sense.
There is still a chance that it's a false positive. Slim.
Armstrong long questioned the science and protocols of the French labs. Sloppy at best, as shown in the Landis case...
Good point about Klodi too. He politely, quietly suffered behind Ullrich for all those years, only to fall into this mess. Hey, at least Vino's not fat from off season feasting.
2007-07-24 14:35:12 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sure there are clean riders, but the sport of cycling has had a culture of doping different from other sports. For years, it has been condoned and even overseen by team doctors and personnel. In the NFL, the training staff of the SF Giants isn't giving Bonds steroids. But in cycling, that's exactly how it worked for years. It is institutionalized and that makes all of the difference.
2007-07-24 15:37:43 · answer #3 · answered by Jay P 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Is the pressure of being the world's favorite just unbearable and therefore requires outside influence.
I pray it is a false positive - I doubt Lance would associate himself with a racer that is a druggie!
I don't know if this will ever end! My wife keeps saying what French rider has gotten caught with drugs?
2007-07-24 21:49:29 · answer #4 · answered by B S 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I agree...I don't think Kloden is clean either. You haven't heard of French riders getting caught because they have a very strict testing policy. (How about that...the french can accomplish something).....or..... Supposedly, that is their biggest beef and they are fed up with getting beat by cheaters, maybe they aren't as good at cheating as the other teams, so they rig the testing......Hmmmmm.
2007-07-25 00:26:10 · answer #5 · answered by Donnie H 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They really had the best overall team. He obviously needs to be checked in the head. Hasn't he ever heard of Floyd Landis??
2007-07-24 14:12:41 · answer #6 · answered by Kirby 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Vinokurov is an idiot. There is no way that he could get away with this. This is so easy to prove. He screwed himself and his team. If he was thinking, it wasn't about his team or cycling.
2007-07-24 14:12:10 · answer #7 · answered by MAD MD 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Don't worry. I'm sure Kloden isn't a clean rider, either.
2007-07-24 14:22:14 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
there are some very good posts here, the only thing I can add is that it all stinks! dangit!
I thought everyone would have learned from last year's controversy!!!!
2007-07-24 15:28:26 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
i think he was just so guilty for letting kazakhstan down after all the help they gave him but its still no excuse. now instead he has let the world down
2007-07-24 14:08:50 · answer #10 · answered by Conor 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋