Arsewipe Armstrong confirms he's riding the Tour.

[Leafer]

And this kind of "screw the competitors themselves, we'll decide who rides based on . . . whatever the hell we decide" -- is one of the reasons that professional cycling is viewed as a 2nd tier, provincial sport. From what I can tell, it seems fairly clear that many cycling fans are OK with that. They hate the thought of their quaint little pastime being run like a business rather than a club. As long as that mentality remains prevalent, the organizers will continue to eat away at the sport from the inside out, like a malignant tumor, playing favorites, acting arbitrarily, crucifying the stars of the sport based on rumor, innuendo, and circumstantial evidence -- and earning the scorn of the general public. Professional cycling is viewed as a farce by even its most ardent fans -- that says a mouthful.

er, the whole point is that it is run like a business cause it is a business, which is why ASO has every right to choose who will be allowed to ride. It's their product that they're trying to sell to sponsors, advertisers, etc, not the UCI's or anyone else's.

And let's not overlook that it's been the ASO which has done more than anyone involved in cycling to get the anti-doping ball rolling over the past couple of years - sure as hell hasn't been the UCI.

As lim says, it ain't the organizers that are the problem, it's been just about everyone but the ASO that's gotten cycling where it is, most notably the riders who can't seem to stay clean and the managers who continue to promote doping. If you're going to blame anyone for cycling's reputation as a farce or a "second-tier" sport, then at least point the finger where it really belongs. And that ain't the ASO.

 

[limerickman]

Like I said, provincial -- as in big in Europe and not particularly big anywhere else. .

Provincial in Europe.
Classic stuff, even by your standards.

You do know how big Europe is, don't ya?
In population terms, the EU alone is almost twice the size of the US.
And that doesn't include large parts of Eastern Europe!

Hilarious.

When you consider the exponential growth of other sports worldwide during similar timeframes -- golf, automobile racing, and several team sports, why is it that professional cycling is still primarily a regional boy's club? Sure, inroads have been made in the US, Eastern Europe, and Down Under, but in comparison to other sports . . . no contest.

They facilitate the problem, mon ami.

Not quite.

If you look at the spread of cycling to the Middle East, for example, (tour of Qatar, tour of Egypt), you will see that the sport is spreading to new territory.
Apart from horse racing and golf, I cannot think of any other international sport which has made an impression there.
if cycling is provincial, as you claim, how come cycling has been allowed to flourish?

Look at the rise in popularity of the Tour of Langkawi too.

Look at the spread of the sport to territory like China.

Another fundamental mistake that you make is that sports like golf and F1 have always had a tradition of wealthy sponsors from worldwide brands unlike cycling

 

[Leafer]

Like I said, provincial -- as in big in Europe and not particularly big anywhere else. Road cycling is losing market share to other sports and even within the sport itself young riders are gravitating to other forms of cycling. When you consider the exponential growth of other sports worldwide during similar timeframes -- golf, automobile racing, and several team sports, why is it that professional cycling is still primarily a regional boy's club? Sure, inroads have been made in the US, Eastern Europe, and Down Under, but in comparison to other sports . . . no contest.


They facilitate the problem, mon ami.

What "other sports" are you talking about? There's barely a handful of sports that aren't largely regional - I'd say that by any measure American football is pretty successful, but it's almost purely restricted to North America, and thus it fits your criteria of being "provincial", since, apparently, provincial is equated with being geographically restricted. Therefore it must be a "second-tier" sport. Dunno about you, but I like football, and I can't say that I've ever really thought of it as "provincial" or "second-tier" - but even if it is, so what? I don't really care if football's not going to take over the world. It's not going to change my opinion of it, or stop me from appreciating it.

Hell, other than soccer, is there really any sport at all that has the kind of global interest that you seem to think necessary for a sport to be considered a success? Certainly not golf or auto racing - having a global presence is not the same as having global popularity.

The point being, so the friggin' what if cycling is largely restricted to Europe? That's where it started. That's where it has the most fans and the most support. That's where it's ingrained, in many places, as part of the culture. It's just fine the way it is.

 

[jhuskey]

What "other sports" are you talking about? There's barely a handful of sports that aren't largely regional - I'd say that by any measure American football is pretty successful, but it's almost purely restricted to North America, and therefore it fits your criteria of being "provincial", since, apparently, provincial is equated with being geographically restricted, and therefore a second-tier sport. Dunno about you, but I like football, and I can't say that I've ever really thought of it as "provincial" or "second-tier" and even if it is, so what? I don't care. It's not going to change my opinion of it, or stop me from appreciating it.

Hell, other than soccer, is there really any sport at all that has the kind of global interest that you seem to think necessary for a sport to be considered a success? Certainly not golf or auto racing - having a global presence is not the same as having global popularity.

The point being, so the friggin' what if cycling is largely restricted to Europe? That's where it started. That's where it has the most fans and the most support. That's where it's ingrained, in many places, as part of the culture. I doubt that

Skiing maybe, although it lacks a large viewership in some countries.

 

[stevebaby]

Hell, other than soccer, is there really any sport at all that has the kind of global interest that you seem to think necessary for a sport to be considered a success? Certainly not golf or auto racing - having a global presence is not the same as having global popularity.

Cricket,rugby...both of which are more successful than American football or baseball. Both have more participants than golf or car racing and as for tv viewers...look at the population of India and Pakistan.

 

[Flyer]

Skiing maybe, although it lacks a large viewership in some countries.

rree

 

[bobke]

I think the topic is Lance riding the TOur.

Today marks the ninth, count 'em, doping control he has had OOC.
Wow.
lancearmstrong twitter:
Anti-doping control. 9th one. . about 4 hours ago from TwitterBerry

 

[Trev_S]

So that's 9 in 5 months.

But is yet to make himself available to his promoted 'anti-doping' program with Catlin.
Why is that?


Mind you he does give a simple answer in this interview

RG: You have yet to implement the independent anti-doping program you asked Don Catlin to run on you specifically. Will that be in place before the Tour Down Under?

LA: That is complicated to organise. You have the idea of Don Catlin. You have the reality of [Doctor Rasmus] Damsgaard [who is commissioned to carry out independent testing of all the riders] at Astana. You have the reality of WADA [World Anti-Doping Agency], USADA [United States Anti-Doping Agency] and the UCI [Union Cycliste International]. Then you have the reality that none of these people communicate. I think the idea that you have a comprehensive independent testing program is a great idea. [But] it is another step to post those results online. Keep in mind WADA does not support Catlin and Damsgaard. For them, an independent testing program is their worst nightmare.

RG: Might you revise the idea of having an independent testing program?

LA: There has to be a layer of independent [testing]. If it's Damsgaard, Catlin or a combination, we will accomplish that. We have to deliver that. And we will. The American public don't know Dr Damsgaard. They know Dr Catlin pretty well, so that helps. The other tricky thing is that we were dinged a little because it wasn't in place, but we didn't get a proposal from Catlin's team until a couple of weeks ago. But these [drug-testing] guys are coming all the time. I've just had my seventh surprise control the other day [Several hours after this interview Armstrong had an eighth random test].

RG: Do you think the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority will target and test you here?

LA: I take a leak every day anyway, so it doesn't matter. It's not as if they show up and you have to do 200 push-ups. It is not anything hard. It is pretty natural.

The old term of "baffle with ********" springs to mind.

The next question should have been.
Why don't you answer my question? it's pretty simple a yes or no answer can cover it.

 

[Flyer]

So that's 9 in 5 months.

But is yet to make himself available to his promoted 'anti-doping' program with Catlin.
Why is that?


Mind you he does give a simple answer in this interview

The old term of "baffle with ********" springs to mind.

The next question should have been.
Why don't you answer my question? it's pretty simple a yes or no answer can cover it.

weee

 

[poulidor]

Armstrong fan controls less pushed?

Christophe Basson, now regional correspondent of the French Agency for fight against doping, said on the site velo101: "The doubts about his coming of [Lance Armstrong] in the Tour wanted because he wanted to know who would do controls. Being the AFLD, I can honestly say that if the agency had been responsible for inspections, the alleged need for maximum control, and that he knew. " Anyone who had abandoned the 1999 Tour de France under pressure, intimidation Armstrong and the lack of support in the platoon, said: "The doubts about his coming to the Tour wanted because he wanted to know who would do controls. ". However, testing a priori fall within the competence of the Union Cycliste. "In my opinion, if the Tour back into the bosom of the UCI, it was cause for concern," said Christophe Bassoons.
In addition, the former Festina rider of questions the media battle Armstrong for his foundation: "The reason cancer, it does not. Maybe this is a big blow to his pub future political career but that's the future will tell. "

 

[kennf]

I think the topic is Lance riding the TOur.

Today marks the ninth, count 'em, doping control he has had OOC.
Wow.
lancearmstrong twitter:
Anti-doping control. 9th one. . about 4 hours ago from TwitterBerry

Does anyone dope in December?

 

[Cobblestones]

Armstrong fan controls less pushed?

Christophe Basson, now regional correspondent of the French Agency for fight against doping, said on the site velo101: "The doubts about his coming of [Lance Armstrong] in the Tour wanted because he wanted to know who would do controls. Being the AFLD, I can honestly say that if the agency had been responsible for inspections, the alleged need for maximum control, and that he knew. " Anyone who had abandoned the 1999 Tour de France under pressure, intimidation Armstrong and the lack of support in the platoon, said: "The doubts about his coming to the Tour wanted because he wanted to know who would do controls. ". However, testing a priori fall within the competence of the Union Cycliste. "In my opinion, if the Tour back into the bosom of the UCI, it was cause for concern," said Christophe Bassoons.
In addition, the former Festina rider of questions the media battle Armstrong for his foundation: "The reason cancer, it does not. Maybe this is a big blow to his pub future political career but that's the future will tell. "

hey poulidor,

I assume what you're posting is some kind of computer translation of a French text? Parts are pretty atrocious. Would you mind always posting the French original as well? My French isn't great, but it might be better than your computer's English

 

[Bro Deal]

I think the topic is Lance riding the TOur.

Today marks the ninth, count 'em, doping control he has had OOC.
Wow.
lancearmstrong twitter:
Anti-doping control. 9th one. . about 4 hours ago from TwitterBerry

Since we know his team was using autologuous blood doping, which cannot be detected, after a test was developed for EPO it does not matter if he has a million tests. Armstrong is a doper. He was using more EPO in 1999 than anyone else in the race. The retrotested urine proved that. Cased closed.

 

[poulidor]

hey poulidor,

I assume what you're posting is some kind of computer translation of a French text? Parts are pretty atrocious. Would you mind always posting the French original as well? My French isn't great, but it might be better than your computer's English

Sorry for the computer translation, sometimes I ckeck it but not always.
Voici ton cadeau de Noël.

Armstrong adepte des contrôles moins poussés ?

Christophe Bassons, aujourd'hui correspondant régional de l'Agence française de lutte contre le dopage, estime sur le site velo101 : "Le doute sur sa venue [de Lance Armstrong] au Tour tenait du fait qu'il voulait savoir qui allait faire les contrôles. Etant à l'AFLD, je peux vous dire sincèrement que si l'agence avait été en charge des contrôles, le nécessaire aurait été fait pour le contrôler au maximum, et ça il le savait." Celui qui avait abandonné le Tour de France 1999 sous la pression, les intimidations d'Armstrong et l'absence de soutiens dans le peloton, déclare : "Le doute sur sa venue au Tour tenait du fait qu'il voulait savoir qui allait faire les contrôles.". Or, les tests relèveront a priori de la compétence de l'Union cycliste. "D'après moi, si le Tour retombe dans le giron de l'UCI, on a de quoi s'inquiéter", estime Christophe Bassons.
Par ailleurs, l'ex-coureur de Festina met en doute le combat médiatique d'Armstrong en faveur de sa fondation : "La raison du cancer, ça ne tient pas. Peut-être que c'est un gros coup de pub pour sa future carrière politique mais ça c'est l'avenir qui nous le dira. "

 

[Cobblestones]

Sorry for the computer translation, sometimes I ckeck it but not always.
Voici ton cadeau de Noël.

Merci beaucoup.

 

[Flyer]

Does anyone dope in December?

rrree

 

[Flyer]

Arsewipe Big Tex is shafting Bertie & confirms he is riding the Tour. Looks like ASO caved in.

eewww

 

[Flyer]

Arsewipe Big Tex is shafting Bertie & confirms he is riding the Tour. Looks like ASO caved in.

ddssssaa

 

[Flyer]

Arsewipe Big Tex is shafting Bertie & confirms he is riding the Tour. Looks like ASO caved in.

ddddss

 

[Flyer]

Arsewipe Big Tex is shafting Bertie & confirms he is riding the Tour. Looks like ASO caved in.

wwqq