Doping

So here's my take on what Sky are doing.

They were frustrated and annoyed that it took the UCI so long, and it's still ongoing, to identify the issues with JTL and also recognised that they needed to do more to monitor their own riders.

Henao has shown some unusual values that can't be easily explained away. They might be due to manipulation, i.e. doping, or adaptation, i.e. response to altitude, but they don't want to be caught out again, so they've taken steps to ensure they are covered either way, and have accelerated the process to achieve swifter resolution.

Patronise much?

Facts can also be a smokescreen, and you can also read between the lines. However I'm not saying there is a team-wide programme, but that there are riders on Sky's roster that may be doping. If nothing else this ramps up suspicions of both riders.

But fine, JTL's clean, Haneo's clean, and Sky's ZTP is infalliable, and we can all stick our heads back in the sand and believe all the PR coming through the media.

I'm trying to be factual, not patronising so apologies if it came across like that.

Personally, I'd expect JTL to be sanctioned when his case reaches a conclusion, i.e. he was doping, as the UCI have brought, I think, ten cases based on passport evidence and haven't lost a single one. But he was doping prior to joining Sky, not when he was there (his performances would back up) and his case showed that Sky were incredibly naive when recruiting riders. From what I've understood, they now test new recruits extensively.

That story is good enough to have come out of Fran Millar's own mouth.

I'm trying to be factual, not patronising so apologies if it came across like that.

Personally, I'd expect JTL to be sanctioned when his case reaches a conclusion, i.e. he was doping, as the UCI have brought, I think, ten cases based on passport evidence and haven't lost a single one. But he was doping prior to joining Sky, not when he was there (his performances would back up) and his case showed that Sky were incredibly naive when recruiting riders. From what I've understood, they now test new recruits extensively.

As I said I don't believe for one minute any Sky's complicity in any of their rider's doping, the same for BC's track programme, but that there are riders on the team that are doping. For one I don't believe Mick Rogers was clean when he was at Sky.

If Sky is taking pro-active steps to address anomalies in one of it's riders without any WADA or UCI involvement then that is certainly laudable, but it will also fuel the baying of the Twitter and clinic mob, particularly as Haneo was arguably a favoured son, one of the GC core team and likely to be lieutenant to Froome or Porte.

Henao has been suspended by Team Sky due to anomalies that their own internal review spotted...

Is this the case? It's not quite clear who did the testing.

“In our latest monthly review, our experts had questions about Sergio’s out-of-competition control tests at altitude - tests introduced this winter by the anti-doping authorities."

I understood it as Sky reviewing tests undertaken by the relevant anti-doping authorities, so WADA approved tests done by either the Colombian authorities or the UCI.

As I said I don't believe for one minute any Sky's complicity in any of their rider's doping, the same for BC's track programme, but that there are riders on the team that are doping. For one I don't believe Mick Rogers was clean when he was at Sky.

If Sky is taking pro-active steps to address anomalies in one of it's riders without any WADA or UCI involvement then that is certainly laudable, but it will also fuel the baying of the Twitter and clinic mob, particularly as Haneo was arguably a favoured son, one of the GC core team and likely to be lieutenant to Froome or Porte.

I think Brailsford would likely take it as a personal affront if someone doped despite the team being set up to maximise performance without recourse to doping, but I also think a leopard never changes it's spots.

I don't think Sky care that much about the Clinic or the Twitterati, they don't want to get bitten on the arse again like they did with JTL, so Henao has been suspended at the first hint of an anomaly. They (Sky) know they are going to get bad press for this, but at least they have the balls to do it. How many other teams would do the same?

Very true, and not many at all. Most would have other pro's lining up to express their disbelief, and blame Chinese beef

I cant see them playing the altitude card unless they honestly believed it a factor. Altitude was the factor that came up (not by Sky IIRC) when Froome won the TdF, and the typical suspisions came out.

I may be, well am, naive. But I choose to see it as a team being pro-active.

Years ago it was believed that hematocrit can rise a couple of points with altitude training. The training may well be more effective now.

Before we go too gung hoo singing Sky's praises, the statement comes after the Gazzetta was tipped off by Henao's agent and contacted Sky for a statement

First UKADA comment on JTL case is interesting. Procedural challenges on the horizon?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/cycling/10709881/Jonathan-Tiernan-Lockes-doping-case-is-imminent-says-UK-Anti-Doping-chief.html

Speaking at the Tackling Doping in Sport conference at Wembley on Wednesday , Parkinson said that was now close to being heard. “Imminently,” Parkinson said when asked. “Months, a month or so. Clearly the issue with that case is that it was in the public domain earlier than was ideal, and earlier than we put out a notice of charge.

I thought I mentioned JTL had sold all his 2013 Sky kit on Ebay in Jan/Feb but it seems I didn't.

Compare and contrast

Mate bought a base layer off him too :)

Also

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rapha-Team-Sky-Lightweight-Transfer-Trousers-/131109757161

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kask-mojito-light-helmet-48-58cm-Team-sky-issue-Used-/131096746948

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Team-Sky-Sigvaris-Compression-Socks-/131101509476

It seems the decision to suspend Henao was Sky's unilateral one, with the UCI's knowledge, but they didn't have to. Presumably Henao and his agent were annoyed enough to leak it to the Gazzetto who then contacted Sky who then issued a statement, otherwise it would have been played out behind closed doors, for the most part.

For me Sky looks good for this: strange readings from one of their riders from internal tests, immediately suspend an important squad member to investigate. I think Henao's disappearance to Columbia for further 'research' may be a smokescreen for an angry rider returning home in a fit of pique. That in a way says Henao may be clean: if he was up to something would his agent have leaked it to the press rather than let Henao sit it out until the investigation is done?

Anyway difficult to cast Sky in a bad light in this, although plenty of people are doing their best to.

CAPTURE ALL THE DATA POINTS!!!

Please.

Pro Cyclist in doping shocker!!! Next up, the sun rises in the mornings...................

those Belgians, hmmmm ;-)

Some more Armstrong stuff:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/cycling/2014/04/09/lance-armstrong-named-names-written-answers-doping/7532825/

Just relented and watched The Armstrong Lie... it's good if you're coming from a non-cycling perspective, but ultimately fucking sad to be reminded of all the bullshit if you already know about it all.

Emphatic impression is that the guy is a total cock. Even when he's trying to be good he's being a dick. When he wants to be truthful he lies. When he admits to a lie he does it to gain advantage, without sincerity. I think the film maker was being kind, even when he was trying to be tough, and he still comes across as a sociopathic creep. What a shitty place to be in.

Then when you get the flashbacks and the pathos and the drama it's fucking addictive and you can't help but admire the balls out bare faced grit and determination... the duels with Pantani and Jan and the Beloki incident still look total boss-even the come back tour against contador, he's a fucking douche but still thinks he can gnarl out another jersey. So funny seeing the Schlecks up there too, Contador gifting them the stage and podium just because he wanted Armstrong to gtfo.

Ah. Pity really.

10 year ban for Bruyneel, 8 years each for Pepe Marti and Pedro Celaya in their involvement in the USPS conspiracy.

Good fucking riddance.

USADA statement here;

http://www.usada.org/default.asp?uid=4580

Bruyneel, who currently lives in London
.

lol

I bet he's a Tory admirer par excellence.

He's on here