Cristian Moreni is apparently shocked at the harsh penalty he has to pay for testing positive for testosterone during the most recent edition of the Tour. Moreni’s positive test resulted in not only his own withdrawal from the race, but the withdrawal of his entire team, as well.
After the last year, where a number of doping scandals in cycling have been prominent in the news — at least the cycling news — you’d have thought that perhaps if someone was going to dope, they might not risk it with testosterone. But, of course, Patrik Sinkewitz and Cristian Moreni both managed to do so and shock of shocks, they got caught. According to an article on cyclingnews.com:
Cristian Moreni (Cofidis), who was handed a two-year suspension following his positive test for testosterone, declared to French paper Journal du Dimanche that he had a hard time accepting the ban. “It is like giving the same sentence to someone who stole an apple and to someone who robbed a bank,” the Italian declared in light of the fact that riders caught for blood doping got the same suspension.
Well, let’s see, the rules say no blood doping and no artificial testosterone. Pretty simple, right? Break the rules, pay the price. Now if you want to argue about which one is more effective, and which one would give a greater performance boost, that’s another question. But certainly Moreni knew the rules, didn’t he? And then he gives us the real money quote:
“I did not want to dope,” the former Cofidis rider declared and emphasized that to him, not riding at l’eau claire (‘clean water’ or drug-free) is taking illegal substances such as EPO, growth hormones or testosterone. “I have bought a plant-based paste over the internet to stimulate the natural production of testosterone. I wasn’t aware that I could have a problem with the doping control. For me, it was like taking amino acids or protein. I know many riders who take it.”
Let’s see. Hmm. I didn’t want to dope, so I went out and bought a product that would boost my testosterone level “naturally.” That sounds a lot like, “I didn’t mean to cheat, so I went out and cheated anyway.” Really? You didn’t mean to dope, Cristian? Then why, exactly, were you looking for these products and willing to risk not only your Tour, but the rest of your team’s Tour, too? Sure taking those snake oil supplements might be like taking amino acids or protein, but amino acids and protein haven’t been banned. Trying to raise your testosterone level artificially has.
The Italian, who acknowledged that he made a costly mistake, added that he had other products with him that the police seized. Tribulus terrestris (a plant to enhance sports performances as well as the love life), Andro Max (a testosterone booster) and a corticoid-based paste, which Moreni had “not opened and for which I had a prescription.”
OK, this has to be the real topper. They found other products, too? Forgetting that stuff that enhance’s one’s love life, the Andro Max is a definite no-no. That’s a testosterone precursor. Sure, if you have more of that in you, your body might make more testosterone. One might even say it was made “naturally.”
But the building blocks are from a different source than your body would otherwise use. And see, Cristian, if you’d been paying attention to the Floyd Landis case at all, those tests — the ones LNDD may not have run quite right when analyzing Floyd’s samples — the “foolproof” IRMS tests — look for differences like what you’d find when taking a supplement like Andro Max. What part of duh don’t you understand?
Timing Is Everything (Again)
First Lance was going to race Leadville, then he wasn’t, then we heard he was back on again, and then less than a week before the race, he wasn’t. And didn’t, citing other business obligations. Friday, the day before the race, came the bombshell that the Discovery Channel Cycling Team would disband at the end of the year.
Armstrong and the rest of the Tailwind Sports crew held a conference call with a number of journalists Friday afternoon (hey, you forgot me, darn it!) to explain their reasoning. As “just bitch slap me please” pointed out in a comment to yesterday’s post, there’s something a bit odd about what they said. The odd part: They had a sponsor 90 percent committed to supporting the team. So why walk away at that point?
Given the current environment, a smart sponsor would build something into their contract that would allow them to drop a team instantly if a doping charge came their way. And with WADA’s Contador investigation ramping up, were the folks at Tailwind Sports afraid that Mr. Pound and his crew would find some way of making a doping allegation stick, even though Spanish authorities couldn’t find anything to prosecute the young cyclist with, and the UCI was satisfied with the resolution?
Perhaps. Given just how broken the anti-doping system is right now, I can easily envision something like that. Would the new sponsor want their name associated with that? I doubt it.
But a sponsor who’s 90 percent there isn’t a sponsor until they sign on the dotted line and hand over that really big check. Closing the deal, in the current environment, is more difficult in my estimation — especially with a sponsor new to the world of pro cycling — than keeping a current sponsor on board. The current sponsors at least understand the lay of the land in the cycling world. And they’re probably a bit more open to hearing how a team like T-Mobile or Milram or CSC plans on cleaning up their little part of the cycling universe and staying with the team. Why? Well, in part because they’ve already got an investment in the sport.
And, having made the initial investment, they may well wish to shore things up and become one of the sponsors known for caring enough to stick around during the rough times. That kind of PR is priceless, especially if you’ve got a product that cycling enthusiasts and fans can easily afford. Like, say, mobile phone service.
So did Tailwind Sports really have a sponsor 90 percent there, only to walk away from their own deal? I have no idea. But let’s give them the benefit of the doubt on that point. What we don’t know is the terms of the deal. Perhaps, with WADA going after Contador, Tailwind knew there was a good chance of their new sponsorship deal blowing up at some future date. Not because Contador may have been part of Puerto, but because WADA may well tar and feather the young lad in spite of the truth. And that could sink the team at a very awkward time — like in the middle of next year’s Tour.
Granted, this is all just wild-haired speculation. So, to fuel that wild-haired speculation a bit more, perhaps Lance didn’t show up at Leadville this weekend because he knew that the media would be all over him as the most public face of the Disco team, and that everyone at the event would be asking him one simple question: “Why?”
Timing is everything. The way that this announcement was timed, it allows the Discovery Channel Cycling Team to ride off into the sunset, leaving at the top of their game rather than being forced out due to circumstances beyond their control. It sucks that they’re walking away, but they’re doing it on their own terms.
Cycling The Way It Ought To Be
After reading all the descriptions of Saturday’s Leadville 100, one thing really sticks out. The event was cycling the way it ought to be. Grit, determination, athleticism, overcoming one’s limitations — whether that was limited training time or something else. Floyd Landis and Dave Wiens fought an epic battle for 100 miles up and down some pretty intense trails and roads in the heart of Colorado. And despite crashing, Landis finished the race and came pretty close to winning. Only an unfortunately timed flat tire really did him in.
Kudos to all who participated. Especially the two guys at the front who put on a hell of a show. And to all the rest who had the guts, grit, determination and inner fortitude to try such a challenge – whether they finished in 7 hours, 12 hours or longer. That’s an amazing accomplishment, just to finish.
And as Stephen Colbert would say, a wag of the finger to Versus for not finding a way to cover this event. The scenery would be spectacular to show. And with a few strategically located cameras, they could easily have put together a half-hour segment for broadcast a day or so later. They missed a golden opportunity to show a truly positive cycling story.
Wish I could have been there. Shame on you, Versus, for not bringing an event like this into our living rooms.
In regards to Cristian Moreni I think Forest Gump would say “stupid is as stupid does.”
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It is a shame to lose Discovery Team, but given the current inquisition being lead by chief inquisitor Dick Pound, I can see why they would want to get out while their good names are still intact.
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I do wish Versus would carry more cycling. I was looking to see if they were carrying the Tour of Spain, but I couldn’t find any mention of cycling beyond the Tour de France on their website.
“Floyd Landis and Dave Wiens fought an epic battle for 100 miles up and down some pretty intense trails and roads in the heart of Colorado.” How I would love to have to see that! THAT IS what racing is all about. (°L°) – Forget the “controversy about doping” for just a moment – that is what I saw watching Contador and Rasmussen in the Tour – it was fantastic
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As to Discovery Ken – there is an ancient adage – “if you want to be bullet proof, have nothing to protect”…sadly, a lot of dirt will eventually come out and as fans, we are just going have to grit our teeth and take it. Good and Bad.
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Cristian Moreni is sadly a very good example of one of the “problems” that the racers face. Rationalization under the pressure of having to get results. It is sad – but racers have to grow in this situation too. Hard lessons can work for you or against you, Rant.
The quotes are priceless though – more importantly, if they have been translated correctly, then it can be invaluable for the entire understanding of the racers mental outlook of their work.
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Perhaps the way some racers think about doping is how F1 drivers see a new fuel additive for their cars. To some it is illogical not to use it. I am not condoning it – since it seems we have chosen to take a “moral” stance about such things. Doping is cheating. Personally I worry only about the health and safety of the “dopers”
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I am concerned about doping, being a tool for cheating – but isn’t this only because we have decided that doping is “morally wrong”. As well as a dangerous life threatening habit for the practitioner Rant?
Not that it is an excuse, but it almost sounds like Moreni was as much if not more interested in improving his horizontal performance than his cycling performance. Which would make it even more dumb.
Rant, I would like to speak in Moreni’s defence. Granted he should have checked whether anything he was taking would lead to a possible positive test (particularly given the current situations) but i can understand what he is saying. His intent was not to dope but to enhance his abilities (feel stupid even writing this right now)through what he thought would be natural means ie a natural plant source. I am sure he is sitting back right now and agreeing with you that it was dumb, but i will give him the benefit of the doubt on this one.
FL sure knows how to put a little drama in his rides doesn’t he? A fall to test the hip (was it on the same side?), a little blood for the cameras, and a flat at the end just to get the adrenalin flowing. Good to see him back.
Hope you don’t mind me digressing but there is an article in this month’s Cycle Sport about outspoken doping critic Bradley Wiggins. On stage 5, a rather hilly stage, he, dare i say, bonked or was spit out the back end and finished some 5:40 behind in the GC. Despite this, in stage 6 he wanted to prove himself and made an incredible solo breakaway and at one point gained a 17:40 advantage! Because it was a flat stage we all knew that he would be reeled in but i couldn’t help noting some similarities between his miraculous ride and another – only with a different ending. Hmmmm
Bradley Wiggins on stage 5 – oh you mean the guy who said something like – “they took minutes off ME…you know something ain’t kosher…” – THAT Bradley WigginS? Sorry Luc – I don’t exactly recall anyone like that…Was Mr Wiggins in the Tour? I did see him in the prologue- I think in London, I believe…but to be honest the last I saw him was getting blown out the back on the first climb…after that all I saw was a sour puss and a bad mouth…
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And Luc – if we are to stay true to present journalistic levels and fair mindedness in the teams – if what you say – one HAS to come to the ONLY CONCLUSION – as Wiggins would do himself…DOPED TO THE HAIRLINE, on Stage 6…but I think I will try to restrain myself….(;-)))
Hi Rant
When did the ASO or UCI decide that if a rider has a positive test that the whole team gets kicked out? It seemed like a complete surprise to me this TDF. It also may be a hugely effective deterrent. Moreni sounds dumb as you portray him but I don’t think the riders knew the whole team would be canned until they dumped Astana and then Cofidis. Cofidis had trouble a few years ago too….
Randy,
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I don’t think ASO kicked the teams out of the Tour de France, rather the teams withdrew from the race on their own accord. Although there may have been some encouragement from ASO for them to withdraw. Basically having riders test positive was too much of a distraction for these teams to continue. If they had continued, for the rest of the tour they would have been hounded by the press on this issue and it would compound the negative publicity for their sponsors.
“Organizers give Zabel cold shoulder for world road cycling championships” – It would seem that this whiner is not going to go unchewed. There is a heavy political fight going on in Stuttgart – and one side is becoming very righteous – After having made a press announcement as to his plans to aim his racing and training for the worlds, Zabel is getting dumped…at least, he may be – a lot of people did not buy into his -” I didn’t dope because I was allergic,” explanation… Anybody else wondering if anyone is going to get busted for chowing down hormone injected beef patties at McDonald’s? Or do we all believe that the Germans are playing it straight?
In defense of Moreni he probably feels that there is a big difference between taking precursors and taking the synthetic drug. For example there is a way to make your body generate HGH based on diet and workout type and some amino acid supplements. There are natural ways to increase your testosterone – no sexual emissions for a week is one way. There are probably many other ways that range from Green Tea, Ginseng, all the way to Andro…whatever. The ingredients of Andro Max seem don’t seem so bad (I don’t know about DHEA and Androstenedione, the other stuff seems like natural herbs) and it’s sold in health food stores.
Either UCI or WADA or the Teams themselves should be educating the cyclists as to what is permissable and what is not. When you ride 5 or 6 hours every day you are so so tired and probably don’t have the energy to research the intricacies of the WADA rules.
You bring to light a very interesting point Art – I believe the powers that be are trying now to establish the “average” levels of the human body. Since for thousands of years, people have known that certain herbs produce chemical alterations in the body – it produces a small dilima. As far as I understand the Rules – it matters not if you achieve a heightened Testosterone level by taking herbs and thereby cause your body to create a higher level – the rules state that the normal levels are such and such.
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This would be acceptable if we were all built like cars, using identical parts – but the human organic system is not built like this. We all have 2 legs, 2 arms, etc – but how we function can and is different. our chemistry as you said, can be “naturally altered – Yogis in all parts of the world practice such biological changes – which brings us to the fun part.
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Imagine what would happen if a biker learned from the beginning how to produce an above average testosterone level or what ever – gets tested from day one – his average therefore are normal – for him – but is completely off the charts for some one else…How will the testing labs deal with this – I think this is one of the reasons they are establishing individual levels, for example what the new emerging American team is doing, also I believe the Germans are also trying something like this…interesting days….
This is the “strict liability” business in action. An athlete is held to be responsible for whatever goes into his/her body. Like it or not, but it is the current standard and Moreni should be well aware of it. There have been enough cases, like the British athlete who bought a Vicks inhaler while competing here in the USA. Seems that the same brand inhaler in the UK is clean while in the US it contains trace amounts of banned substance, enough to trigger a positive test. He still suffered a full ban even though it was both an innocent mistake, and the level of substance in his body would have had virtually no effect on his performance.
Testosterone certainly should have been in anybody’s mind after last year and why anyone would want to fool around with T levels during the Tour is beyond me.
Hey all,
Sorry, the day job gets in the way sometimes. Interesting discussion going here.
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William,
It certainly does make you wonder if he was more interested in the horizontal bop than improving his racing, doesn’t it? And you’re right, if that’s what he was up to, it was really, really dumb. Strict liability is the rule, and Moreni should at least have been aware of the Landis case. That, alone, should have stopped him from messing with the stuff, regardless of whether it was “natural” or not.
Luc,
I see your point. Maybe he hasn’t seen all the coverage over the last year, because he’s been too busy racing. But if he’d really stopped to think about it, wouldn’t it sound just a bit too good to be true? It was probably the androstenedione that got him, that’s a precursor to testosterone. Can an athlete know all of the stuff that’s banned? Probably not, and that’s one of the things wrong with the current system. Did it really help Moreni, I think not. Or not much. You didn’t see him riding any amazing breakaways, after all. 😉
Ken/Randy,
I think that the ASO put a fair amount of pressure on the teams to withdraw. I happen to think that was wrong. One bad apple doesn’t ruin the whole bunch. Now if rider after rider from one team tests positive, then it’s fair to wonder about the team, their management and their medical support. Because that situation would be more than a little suspicious.
Art,
You’ve hit the nail on the head with the education angle. The riders need to be educated as to what’s banned, why and the negative effects it can have on you. Just putting out a list of banned substances every year isn’t enough. Who’s going to read it? Making a concerted effort to reach out to the riders (and other athletes) is key.
Morgan,
The rules set a threshold value for the T/E ratio, above which they test to see if the testosterone is natural or not. The testing method used, IRMS, is a tricky one in terms of execution and data analysis. Done wrong, the numbers are meaningless. And that’s one of the core issues in the Landis case. So if a rider does have a naturally high T/E ratio (and people from certain areas of the world do, as a footnote), then the IRMS test is supposed to determine that. But since there are no universal standards on what constitutes a positive result, we get messes like the Landis case. WADA has to set some real standards and enforce them. And those standards need to be based on real science, which some of the tests used in anti-doping labs allegedly aren’t.
– Rant
Mr Schart You know about this obviously – Without being mistaken to be looking for a “loophole” – am I correct that they could actually tell that the British athletes positive was merely from an amount that could virtually not effect his performance – it seems to me that if it can be established that the amount that “triggered” the test, could not effect his performance – why did they give him a full ban? Is it because the rule is absolute – no amount of the banned substance can be found, period?
Morgan,
Here’s strict liability in a nutshell: If it’s on the list of banned substances, and tests find any in you, you’re guilty of doping. There are a few exceptions, like those who’ve gotten a therapeutic use exemption (TUE as it’s called) because of a medical condition, or a drug where a threshold must be exceeded to test positive, as used to be the case for caffeine (which I believe is not on the list any longer). But in Alain Baxter’s case (Salt Lake City, 2002 Winter Olympics), an isomer of methylamphetamine (same chemical formula, different shape and somewhat different properties and effect) was in the American version of the Vicks inhaler, in a very minute concentration. But it was enough to show up on the tests, and with methylamphetamine no amount is allowed. Strict liability meant Baxter lost his bronze medal, the first medal ever won by a British downhill skier in the Olympics.
– Rant
Thank you Rant – I understand.
Rant –
Reading through the statements made by the Discovery team at the press conference, I had the impression that these four guys simply did not want to be involved in cycling any more. I take Lance at his word when he says that pro cycling is a lousy investment at this time … at least from the perspective of a U.S. team, where the Tour de France is everything. If the ASO is serious about dumping UCI and going back to national teams … what becomes of the $45MM ponied up by the sponsor? There’s not exactly $45MM of publicity inherent in the Tour of Georgia.
Honestly, I think Lance and the others are fed up with the completely dysfunctional nature of the sport.
Lance certainly has better things to do with his time, like running presidential debates and trying to eliminate cancer.
It will be interesting to see if a U.S. team like Slipstream can now attract a sponsor, after Lance et. al. have declared cycling sponsorship to be a bad investment.
Larry, just because Lance is “tired” of cycling, doesn’t mean the cycling world is going to suffer. Obviously, Lance has no desire to be involved with cycling. And that has become clearer and clearer since he retired. I mean, Andy Rhis lost Phonak, and turned around and started an American contential team BMC. I think that shows a love of cycling, but not the ProTour!!:)
Hey Larry – I’m playing devils advocate – It is very difficult to know what goes on in the mind of another person…..It may or may not be a lousy investment to be sponsoring a pro team right at this moment…but there does seem to be a few things that should be looked at.
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I have no idea how many of the guys on the Discos had a contract that was perhaps not quiet over at the end of this season – just a thought. So do they all get paid off – or is it “tough luck cookie – you’re on your own, We ‘re out of here.” – I suppose it is possible that Armstrong paid off on all the contracts – maybe…
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Then of course there is the small matter that McQaide, Pound and perhaps a large part of the French public has been sort of insinuating that Armstrong is dirty….So now we are to believe that Lance is “sick of it all” and turns his back on the whole “messy pro cycling situation”…a thought comes to mind – could he have gotten an offer he couldn’t refuse…? He’s voicing his concern that ADO is dissin’ McQaide – some people got no respect….
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I believe it is tough in the cycling world at the moment – every aspect of it seems in turmoil – Floyd had not made a few bazillion of his yellow jersey – but he is doing something…Lance has – I can respect his desire to be involved in “other things” – but what about the small matter of all the people who screamed with joy for him, who sweted for him every time he was having a tough time…what about the millions of young people, not to mention adults who went out and bought his little wrist band – because they did what they could to help him AND biking…?
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From where I’m sitting, it seems he just bailed and at the worst possible time. Cycling was good to him – does he own anything to it – or is he above such things..?
Larry,
It is quite possible that the principals in Tailwind Sports huddled together and said, “You know what, we’re sick of all this crap. Let’s call it a day and go out on top.” I wouldn’t blame them one bit if they did. The world of pro cycling (including the UCI, ASO, WADA and others) does look like one big unhappy, dysfunctional family right now. I wouldn’t blame them for being sick of it.
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And you’re right, Lance does have a lot better to do with his time.
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Theresa,
Good point about Andy Rihs. He’s certainly maintained his involvement with cycling, even though the Phonak team is no longer. He’s been a supporter of Floyd through this current mess, too, which also shows a great deal of class.
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Morgan,
If Lance was truly sick, tired and fed up with it all, walking away might have been the better thing to do, even though we may not like it. He’s been a great ambassador for cycling, attached his name to a number of programs, including the Lance Armstrong Junior Olympic Road Series, which has been going on now for at least 12 years and is still going strong. Contrast that with another American winner of Le Tour. What programs has he put together to advance the sport of cycling? None that I’m aware of.
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While I’d like to see Armstrong stick around, and I’m concerned about whether Tailwind’s leaving sends the message Larry suggests, he’s still continuing to support cycling. Just at a more grassroots level. And perhaps that will draw more kids into the sport, so it doesn’t grow old and pass from the scene.
– Rant
Theresa and Morgan –
Putting aside the matters I wrote about, the present state of pro cycling and all that, the core fact is that I’m a fan, too, and the decision to disband the Discovery team HURTS. I truly wish they’d continue to race. And I’d be happy to discuss what it means when you’re a fan, when you’ve invested so much time and emotional energy in a team that one day simply decides to walk away … it’s a terrible feeling.
Theresa, you’re right, Lance could have stuck with cycling even if he felt he no longer wanted to be involved with the Tour de France or the pro tour. It would have been a terrific statement: the pro tour is dysfunctional, but cycling is beautiful, let’s do something on a smaller and more local scale. Maybe Lance will still do something like that, he certainly held open the possibility that his team of people will become re-involved in the sport in some way. But I don’t think it’s likely that he’ll follow the example of Andy Rhis, simply because of who Lance is. If you’re as competitive as Lance is, and you’ve achieved the greatest success at the highest levels of the sport, it would be very hard to be satisfied with anything on a smaller scale. Sorry. That’s just human nature.
I also think we have to cut Lance a little slack. It’s not easy for a professional athlete (particularly the very successful ones) to redefine themselves post-retirement. I’m sure I don’t have to remind you of all the great retired athletes who un-retired and made asses out of themselves, or who bankrupted themselves, or who went begging for public love and attention. Or who simply fell off the face of the earth. Lance has redefined himself as the nation’s leading voice in the fight against cancer. It’s probably too early to judge how successful he’s been (and is going to be) in this fight, but you have to admire that part of Lance. The guy has a lot of fight in him, and he’s raised $$ and public awareness. He even has Republican and Democratic presidential candidates agreeing to appear on the same stage to talk about cancer! Who’s ever done THAT before?
Does Lance owe something to cycling? That’s a good question. Obviously, cycling made Lance who he is. However, you can argue that Lance contributed a huge amount back to cycling. He put cycling on the front cover of Sports Illustrated, and on the front page of the NY Times, and he rode the hell out of seven great Tours. It’s also not like cycling (taken as a whole, especially outside of the United States) was exactly begging for Lance to stay involved.
Maybe a better question (from my perspective, anyway) is: does Lance owe so much to cycling that he should try to save pro cycling from itself? I’ve read a number of people who have suggested that Lance could lead an effort to clean up cycling, form a new pro tour that would be clean and sensibly governed. But I’m not sure that Lance could do this even if he wanted to, and I’m also not sure that any such effort would ultimately be good for cycling. Cycling already has about a thousand organizations trying to pull cycling in a thousand differnt directions … I don’t think that adding a thousand and first to the mix would do any good.
(Morgan, you’re right to suggest that Lance might owe something to the Discovery riders. I was thinking how sad it was, to see Contador trying to defend himself to the press in Spain on Friday, only for his team to disappear out from under him a few hours later. Goodbye, Alberto, and good luck to you! I’ll defend Discovery’s decision to disband, but I didn’t like that particular piece of timing.)
Lance may owe something to the sport, something that we may struggle to define. But if he accepts $45MM from an investor, he owes something to that investor that’s a whole lot easier to define. In my experience, no one invests that kind of money in an enterprise unless there’s a “true believer” in charge of the enterprise. The guy who accepts the $45MM check had damn well better believe that the investment is a terrific investment. Not risk-free, of course, but a terrific investment that is worth the risk. Put yourself in Lance’s shoes: could YOU look an investor in the eye and say that pro cycling today is worthy of a $45MM investment? Do I really list the reasons why you might hesitate before you put your personal and professional reputation on the line on behalf of pro cycling, circa summer 2007?
Would you invest your life savings today in a pro cycling team? Maybe I would, but I’m a little bit crazy. But could you advise someone else to do it who WASN’T crazy … and could you promise to stand by that investment no matter what?
Thank you Larry. You have explained yourself clearly and succinctly. I think we can all benefit from this. Your points are cogent and rational and now I do understand your stance clearly. It may surprise you, but I do agree with you. As I had written, I wanted to draw you out by playing devils advocate, I “voiced” what I have read and heard people expressing about this situation. Seldom do they bother to present what they think, mostly it is just about how they are reacting at the moment.
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I find your statement, clear and very rational, and I tend to think along the same lines as you. What you so clearly state – also needed to be aired. Thank you for taking the time to illuminate us. Just in case anyone thinks I am unclear, everything above is meant sincerely and with respect.
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Rant your points are also as ever cogent. Such thinking also needs to be aired, period. Otherwise what are we all doing except having a meeting of people who only wish to express their own passions without reason or understand as to what is driving them. Such exchanges as we were having today, are quiet different, I think you would agree, from the plethora of other blogging and commentary that fly about.
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My personal belief is that without such thinkers as those who are expressing themselves in todays exchanges here, we would be in great danger of simply running after our own tails and as you and Larry state, make decisions that are motivated by unexplored passions., winding us all up in the same confused jumble that exists in the world of cycling today.
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We have to “read/hear” and get accustomed to people expressing rational thought. Not an easy thing when one finds one is filled with a jumble of unclear, and unthoughtful “ranting”. The more people hear/read such thought out statements, the more perhaps will try to do the same, even when they are being triggered right and left. It is also the only way we have a chance to make the cycling we love a better sport then what it seems to be today. thank you Rant for this forum, and thank you Larry for taking the time to explain it to us.
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As to that other cyclist Rant – why compare apples and onions…oranges seem too good to waste.
Rant, you and I posted at the same time, so I did not get the chance to thank you in my second post. You run a great site here (I lurk a lot more than I post).
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Morgan, it does not surprise me at all that you agree with me. I knew you were drawing me out, and I appreciated the invite to say a little more.
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And just so that it’s clear, I DO hope to see Lance involved in the Pro Tour at some future date, when it makes sense to him.
Larry – Don’t lurk – you got good stuff to share -Theresa – Mr Schart – Art – Ken – Randy – Luc – and I did miss Jean C – It has been a great pleasure to keep company with you all. Your thoughts light up the darkness – and I for one am looking forward to hearing all of your thoughts…it is with people like you that we have some hope to make cycling a better sport then already it is…
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Rant – of course – without your input – none of this would be possible – can’t wait for tomorrows rant (°L°)…
I find it so hard to understand Tailwinds decision. Why didnt they sell the team instead of shutting it down, or do anything they could to try to keep the team together, that was so succesfull?
I am a fan too, and heartbroken by all this..
Sara,
You ask an excellent question. If the people heading Tailwind Sports wanted out, they could easily have sold the team. Given how well they’ve done this year, keeping them together would have made sense. There is much in the world of cycling these days, however, that doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. The sport will go on, but it will be the lesser for not having Tailwind running a team.
– Rant