jewen
Reged: 07/10/2008
Posts: 2
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To begin, I am not a huge fan of riders such as Cadel Evans. However he is one of the riders singled out in many forums for his lack of attacking style and general bad attitude during the tdf this year.
Now since the tour has finished we have had various rumours of possible riders that may have been more power assisted than others during the event, and with the latest suspension from Team CSC and the schumacker positive test, it does make you wonder how this can affect the overall standings in a Grand tour.
I personally believe that Evans is a clean rider who is at his limit on many of the mountain stages, however I also believe that a number of riders riding against him are not clean. Evans had to cover many of the attacks himself but would these attacks have been made by the same riders if they had been 100% clean.
I think a number of riders on the last tour had some very suspicious rides of superhuman qualities. Even Schumacker attacked on the hills.
If clean riders going for the GC are being subjected to attacks by non clean riders, its no wonder that they are going to struggle to match attacks over a number of hours without it taking its toll on them physically.
I am starting to feel sorry for Evans in a way and can understand his surly behaviour as a result of utter frustration against an injustice of dirty riders against clean riders. It seems to me that eventually the enhanced performance of some riders must have an effect on the the reults of not just a stage but in the grand tours, possibly the overall positions as well.
Other examples of this on the same tour are the first time trial results, D Miller would have been second I think, He was going for yellow on the first week and the following stage won by the italian doper ahead of Valverde. All these performances must have an effect on the mental and physical wellbeing of clean riders and completely negate the race once again.
So much for a clean tour.
Anyone's thoughts..............
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sleights
Reged: 11/09/2006
Posts: 213
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The sad fact is I don't think you can presume anything anymore! We can't even presume that Evans is clean.
What staggers me is that these guys are still cheating....it beggars belief. I know it is human nature to bend the rules and cheat but after all that has happened in the sport in the last couple of years it is now seen as a complete joke.
I am am sick of trying to defend them......I am sick of constantly having my elusions shattered......I am sick of giving people the benefit of the doubt only to be let down again and again......I am sick of pro-cycling and frankly I am now switching off.........
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DougMorley
Reged: 15/12/2006
Posts: 324
Loc: BC Canada
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It is a great shame sleights. I agree whole heartedly. But we are cyclists, we enjoy our cycling, and I enjoy watching and reading, and talking about cycling and cycle racing. Nothing and no one will destroy my pleasure in this.
When you look at the history of cycle racing, quite frankly they've always been at it (the cheating), and it's my belief despite everything that the officials can or will do, they'll still be doing so long after we are all dead. Guess it's all part of human nature.
For the good guys in the sport it must be hell and I appreciate that. As a viewer all I can say is that I'd rather enjoy watching and deliberating over the outcome of a keenly contested race than watch a forgone conclusion every time. 1999 - 2005 had it continued would have driven me away from viewing the sport as much as anything.
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rover1971
Reged: 09/06/2008
Posts: 349
Loc: Aberdeen, Scotland
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Quote:
1999 - 2005 had it continued would have driven me away from viewing the sport as much as anything.
Not quite sure how you managed to go from doping in this years TDF to 1999 - 2005 driving you away from cycling, but there is a whole lot more to cycling than the Tour!
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Former Deeside Thistle loon!
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bigoldsideofham
Reged: 23/12/2007
Posts: 2288
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Nothing could vindicate evans, squeeky voiced little wheel sucker. 
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Bryan48
Reged: 28/07/2008
Posts: 99
Loc: Co Cavan .Ireland
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Until tere's rumors or posatives sgainst Evans, you could say that he was 'clean, and thus the moral winner of the TDF.
Yes cheating will always happen, be it in sport, business, finiance, we'll have to accept that.
it won't turn me away from watching it a s a sport or from riding my bike for pleasure and fitness.
But I don't believe all this, new 'clean' sport that was supposed to be ushered in, even the new young guns who have been winning lately.
If the established guys are still at it and evidance is showing that they are, then how can you expect newcomers to ride clean and be competative.
Anhow this will rumble on and with LA's return it ain't going to get better!
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plymchick
Reged: 17/09/2007
Posts: 251
Loc: World Of My Own
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Maybe its time the clean riders started whistleblowing on the dirty ones. Can't see it happening though 
Cadel did himself no favours in gaining fans in the TDF this year by his behaviour - mostly off the bike - which is why he got such a ribbing from Forum members.
I'm glad the cheats are getting caught. Yes, its disappointing and sad when someone you have high regard for gets caught out, but hopefully it will discourage other riders in the future.
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DougMorley
Reged: 15/12/2006
Posts: 324
Loc: BC Canada
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The 1999-2005 years would never drive me away from cycling but that time did come closer than today's furore in losing my interest in the only cycle racing I get to see over here.
I much rather watch a gang of druggies battling it out over the roads of France and betting on the conclusion than yawn over yet another American run race with one leader and one winner.
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buzz
Reged: 27/01/2007
Posts: 1194
Loc: Wicklow, Ireland
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Interesting stuff!
As Doug says, they have been at it for years. I am so disillusioned by it all now that I would not be surprised if my cycling 'heroes' of the 80's such as Kelly, Roche, Millar were doping at that time, as then it was 'normal' and accepted by teams, sponsors, riders, fans, etc. Even in the early 90's when I was involved with British Pro and elite amateur teams I was shocked to hear the riders discussing what they took as 'supplements'
The difference as I see it now is that there is a fight from within the sport on doping. That has never been the case before, acceptance is no longer normal.
Teams are openly clean and public and in doing so (Garmin for one, blood tests on-line throughout the tour)
Sponsors now do not want associated with doping (T Mobile and others pulling out)
Riders whistleblowing is the hardest code to break - spitting in the soup was what Paul Kimmage called it in his book, when he blew the whistle in the 80's he was ostracised by the peleton and never rode as a pro after going public. That needs to change, and will only do so when the dopers are confident they outnumber the cheats.
German fans have turned their back on the sport since Ullrich, and any German who dopes now is ripped to shreds by their media - Schumacher, you are indeed a complete plonker!
Cycling is facing it's demons now - Festina, Puerto, EPO, CERA, Landis, Hamilton, etc, etc, etc - I think in the past these events would have been swept under the carpet because the whole sport was completely corrupt.
What intrigues me is in all this is two things - Cycling must be leading the way in CERA detection (Well, at least ASO are) riders were caught in July the IOC are re-testing sports from Bejing, almost an admission they did not have the technology cycling has. Secondly, Armstrong's comeback. If he was at it, say on CERA years before anyone, surely he would keep his head down and keep the wheels hung up? Could it be he is clean (Shockerooni!!!!)
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'Bingo's the man'
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MagnersCattlegridCon
Reged: 25/04/2008
Posts: 648
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That needs to change, and will only do so when the dopers are confident they outnumber the cheats.
Thats getting me confused just thinking about it.....
I know what you mean and agree with you. Once almost all riders are clean and know each other are too they should have a much better ability to step up and name people who are bringing down the sport.
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Only a true cyclist knows the taste of tarmac.
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