Dope Addicts

dd74 · 01:26 PM

Is cycling the dirtiest, albeit "dopiest" sport in the world? I mean, c'mon: now this year's winner, Alberto Contador, is being investigated for doping, and he took the place of the previous leader of this year's Tour, Michael Rasmussen, who was fired for doping. Additionally, whole teams withdrew because of doping.

NPR posed a question about this that said, "If everyone cheats, is anyone cheating?" I tend to think not. I also don't think Lance Armstrong was entirely drug free during his seven TdF wins.

Regardless, the prevailing presence of doping in pro cycling makes steroid use in baseball look like fifth graders smoking out behind the auditorium. This is crazy, and has permeated the entire sport. I can see why pro cycling is losing supporters on almost a daily basis.

Oh, well, if Alberto Contador does get nabbed by the UCI, at least that means American Levi Leipheimer will move from third to second.

EDIT: Christ! Not again. Sorry for putting this in "Tech." Mods please move...

bpoteat · 08-01-2007, 01:43 PM

They just check harder.

nota · 08-01-2007, 07:35 PM

they need a stock and enhanced classes
just like car racing

HardDrive · 08-01-2007, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nota

they need a stock and enhanced classes
just like car racing

+1

Whats the point. I'm not tired of doping, I'm tired of their pathetic attempts to stop it.

The rules are simple

1) 'Enhanced class' do whatever you like

2) 'Non-enhanced' class, no drugs. If you are caught once, its a lifetime ban.

Gogar · 08-01-2007, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dd74

"If everyone cheats, is anyone cheating?"

Ask your congressman. ZING!

dd74 · 08-01-2007, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gogar

Ask your congressman. ZING!

Hilarious!

dd74 · 08-01-2007, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HardDrive

+1

Whats the point. I'm not tired of doping, I'm tired of their pathetic attempts to stop it.

Exactly. I'm as well tired of their half-measures. In fact, I read an article in an online cycling magazine that stated doping in the TdF has probably been around as long as the race itself - since 1904 - only then, they used over the counter products, such as cocaine and morphine. Hell, nicotine was thought to help in some cases. Supposedly, Eddy Merckx smoked while racing.

Mule · 08-02-2007, 05:17 AM

The All Drug Olympics?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrCGYtFAQ2U?

Jeff Higgins · 08-02-2007, 05:27 AM

Cycling is a distant second in the doping game. Check out the freaks in pro body building. Mike Christian (a fairly competitive body builder years ago) once asked why they continue to pretend. People come to see a freak show. At least having it all out on the table would give young, aspiring competitors a more realistic view of what they are getting into. They could make better decisions without fooling themselves into thinking they will be the first one to ever win at that level "clean". Most go in with that missguided idealism. They eventually get sucked in. Same thing in cycling. And anyone who thinks Lance is some super-human machine that can win at that level without doping, against similar talent that is, is simply fooling themselves.

Rot 911 · 08-02-2007, 05:47 AM

Personally I believe there should be a zero tolerance across the boards in all sports. Only because of the health risks involved in using steriods.

greglepore · 08-02-2007, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kurt V

Personally I believe there should be a zero tolerance across the boards in all sports. Only because of the health risks involved in using steriods.

In cycling, the drugs used are mostly to increase hemotcrit or aid recovery. Steroids are of no use. They are also mostly administered under medical scrutiny, so there is little actual risk. The risk was in the past when riders were doing it without watching their hematocrit, their blood could actually become too viscous to pump with their low resting heartrates while asleep.

How is sleeping in an altitude tent (legal) different than taking medically supervised EPO (illegal)? Both increase hematocrit.

I totally agree w/ David's post-they're all doping so its just leveled the field. While I'd like to believe Lance's carefully worded denials, given that every one of his rivals has now been outed, I can't accept it any longer. And, given that Levi was as strong as Contador and on the same team, can you believe that either?

All this is going to do is drive sponsors out of the sport.

legion · 08-02-2007, 06:02 AM

Can we combine this thread with the "stupivion or oblor?" thread?

Rot 911 · 08-02-2007, 06:17 AM

Greg thanks for the education!

Mule · 08-02-2007, 06:32 AM

This further points out the lunacy of our drug laws. As for steroids, keep watching. The major advances in anti-aging medicine will involve balancing hormone levels and how do you do that?

MichiganMat · MichiganMat's Garage

You try riding 100 miles everyday for 3 weeks straight!

Give me the testosterone nut patch and a blood transfusion, stat.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Not this schit again.

"Lance was doping, blah blah blah. . ."

How many times does he need to test clean?

Jeff Higgins · 08-02-2007, 09:15 AM

"Lance was clean, blah blah blah..."

This guy test clean as well. For all seven of his Mr. Olympia titles. Just mamma's down home cookin', I suppose...

lendaddy · 08-02-2007, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

Not this schit again.

"Lance was doping, blah blah blah. . ."

How many times does he need to test clean?

Are you serious? Live Strong™ my man

greglepore · 08-02-2007, 09:36 AM

Test clean? Precisely my issue. Well managed doping programs result in clean tests. Its only when you get desperate or stupid (ie Floyd last year or Vino this year) that you get caught.

dd74 · 08-02-2007, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greglepore

Test clean? Precisely my issue. Well managed doping programs result in clean tests. Its only when you get desperate or stupid (ie Floyd last year or Vino this year) that you get caught.

+1. I'm no expert, but without a doubt Michele Ferrari and other notable docs on a team's payroll who administers these chemicals, salves, pills or antihistamines and whatever else, have to know a way of covering them up. I don't know what Lance had - beyond talent - but I'm wary of believing it was just pure human strength. If not, he had one hell of a good cover. I wonder if his winning was connected (chemically) with Bristol-Myers Squibb. One never knows. If caught, he can kiss his political aspirations adios. He's been hanging around Edwards lately, you know...