Le Tour starts tomorrow, major doping scandal

M

mwerner

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Apr 23, 2002
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All bets for a favorite are off as the Tour De France is rocked by a major doping scandal announced just today.
As a result of an investigation in Spain, the names of 30+ major stars have been linked to a physician who was supplying growth hormone, EPO, and storing blood for a variety of riders.
Major casualties include favorites Jan Ullrich and Eban Basso, as well as Francisco Mancebo and American Tyler Hamilton.

Very sad, after major reforms were promised in recent years. Fans may recall the death by suicide of Marco Pantani, "the Pirate" after he was bounced from the Giro D'Italia as a result of a doping test.

Nothing new, of course, one of the old-time champions once said "Le Tour is not won on mineral water." Back in the 70s, one particular race was so bad it was dubbed "Le Tour de Pharmacie".

Still, it's a great spectacle, and Le Tour always seems to rise above these things. I'll be watching.
 
Hi All-

I saw a fleeting news "crawler" at the bottom of the screen on Fox News about the doping situation and didn't hear any details. Wow, that is big news. Jan Ullrich is just aching to make his mark again in that race since it has been nearly a decade since his 1997 victory. I'll be watching the Tour de France whenever there aren't World Cup matches being shown at the same time!

~ Blue Jays ~
 
Scene opens in an American coffee shop with a few people waiting in line. One is looking over a paper:

1: Look, the Tour starts tomorrow.

2: What tour? Who's on tour?

3: Did you say The Who is on tour?

2: No, I said Who's -- who IS -- on tour.

3: Oh. Darn. I liked The Who.

2: Yes, yes, but who is on tour?

1: No, the Tour De France, the big bicycle race.

3: Oh, that's the thing Lance Armstrong always wins. I like Lance Armstrong. See, I've got one of his bracelets.

1: Well, he's retired now. So he's not in it this year.

2: Are they still gonna keep it going?

3: That's nice. Maybe it'll grow into something. It's always hard when the founder guy leaves.
 
The people that run the sport are much to blame, they permit it. It's like Darryl Strawberry ,he was given chance , after chance , after chance . That doesn't set a good example ...Basso had problems before . If they wanted to keep the sport clean they should have banned Basso at the first offense from any organized bicycle race for life then the others might take the hint !!
 
Hi All-

It will be awesome if other American powerhouses like George Hincapie, Levi Leipheimer, or Floyd Landis can win the Tour or at least place near the top. With all the sophisticated tests and surveillance, I can't imagine what Jan Ullrich and Ivan Basso were thinking...

~ Blue Jays ~
 
I can almost see Ullrich. Near the practical end of his career, suffering from "always the bridesmaid" syndrome....I'm sure he was under great pressure to turn in a victory.
Basso, however....Young, a rising star, greatly talented...Armstrong could not shake him last year, and he had just won a major race.

Still, the pressure on these people is enormous. While pro cycling is practically nonexistant in the US, these guys are major sports heros in Europe, with all the baggage that brings with it.

Many years ago, the great Italian champion, Coppi, was found to be having an affair. He was using his "training rides" to visit his mistress....
The poor woman had to move to South America due to very real death threats...
 
mete said:
The people that run the sport are much to blame, they permit it. It's like Darryl Strawberry ,he was given chance , after chance , after chance . That doesn't set a good example ...Basso had problems before . If they wanted to keep the sport clean they should have banned Basso at the first offense from any organized bicycle race for life then the others might take the hint !!
Click to expand...


On the other hand, how many other sports have the guts to do anything about cheating? Suppose MLB found that Jeter, Barry, and a number of others were found to have used steroids. Do you think they would do a two year suspension for all involved? Would they ban for life anyone for whom it was a second offense? People think cycling is the only sport with doping/cheating problems, when in reality it is the only sport willing to catch dopers and punish them.
 
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