Lance Armstrong... greatest doper there was or ever will be

'close to flying' what kind of title is that : /

It would be a good name for a book about taking loads of drugs...

I KNEW IT, no one wins something that big so many times without being hepped up on goofballs to the max.

Wow. The UCI is fucked. Fat Pat says that they'll continue to take 'donations' from riders, and that they don't see a conflict of interest between promoting and policing the sport.

And refusing to deny that Armstrong's dope tests returned suspicious (if not positive) values suggests that there were some blind eyes being turned.

Time for Obree and Kimmage to start a breakaway body.

Wait, obree in charge of what?

Innovation

Bottom brackets

The UCI banned Obree for his radical position, and he didn't pay them enough to let him ride with it.
They let Armstrong dope because he could afford to buy the UCI.

In some respects I feel guilty, as a fan, because years affected by this had some cracking racing which was no doubt drug fuelled and lead to some great viewing.

Does a dope free peloton lead to less interesting racing? Especially on the grand tours?

I am glad Armstrong got his just deserts, but have we now seen the end of an era in racing too.

http://bianchista.blogspot.com.au/2011/06/obree.html

Obree in charge of stuff-to-do-with-bicycles, Kimmage in charge of no-bullshit.

I

Does a dope free peloton lead to less interesting racing? Especially on the grand tours?

The opposite; though this year's tour wasn't the most exciting ever, the Giro was a cracking race. Anyone who started watching during the EPO era will have little idea about tactics, 'jour sans' and so on. Cadel's win was the most exciting race since 1991.

Obree has also been outspoken against doping and his refusal to dope (referred to as a 'lack of professionalism' by the manager) cost him his place with Le Groupement team.

In some respects I feel guilty, as a fan, because years affected by this had some cracking racing which was no doubt drug fuelled and lead to some great viewing..

Srsly? The Armstrong years were nearly as tedious as Indurain's.

There were some good bits, for sure (Ullrich, Armstrong, Mayo on Luz Ardiden f'rinstance). But there were also days and days of the Postal train chugging along in the foothills.

A bit like Sky this year. Not that I think they were on the sauce, but it was a dull tour.

The opposite; though this year's tour wasn't the most exciting ever. Anyone who started watching during the EPO era will have little idea about tactics, 'jour sans' and so on. Cadel's win was the most exciting race since 1991.

2003 was quite exciting.

Too slow.

dumped by Oakley as well now

http://www.oakley.com/sports/road-cycling/posts/3806?cmmmc=CJ--AFFILIATE--4166869--10477753

Based on UCI’s decision today and the overwhelming evidence that USADA presented, Oakley has severed its longstanding relationship with Lance Armstrong, effective immediately.

When Lance joined our family many years ago, he was a symbol of possibility. We are deeply saddened by the outcome, but look forward with hope to athletes and teams of the future who will rekindle that inspiration by racing clean, fair and honest.

We believe the LIVESTRONG Foundation has been a positive force in the lives of many affected by cancer and, at this time, Oakley will continue to support its noble goals.

The shades are off... so to speak. Ahem...

Who here really thought he would come unstuck so spectacularly? It's been satisfying.

dumped by Oakley as well now

http://www.oakley.com/sports/road-cycling/posts/3806?cmmmc=CJ--AFFILIATE--4166869--10477753

Needs deal with it shades on Lance instead with Dealt with text

Needs deal with it shads on Lance instead with Dealt with text

Whut?

What will become of any earnings made from the Tour(s)?? Will he get fined or have to pay anything back?
I am sure insurance company SCA promotions will want the $5million back, they paid Armstrong. There were rumours about doping so they went to court, Armstrong was under oath saying he didn"t take PEDs

@DavidWalshST

By end of week Jeff Tillotson, a Dallas lawyer, will file legal papers seeking return of circa $10m from LA for his client, SCA Promotions.

Repeating what T-V said.

I've mixed feelings about today.

I'm pleased that Armstrong has finally got his comeuppance, which is long overdue in my opinion. He's a liar, a cheat and a bully and no amount of work for cancer can excuse how he's behaved in the past 15 years.

I didn't expect the UCI to do anything more than they've done so, for the sake of the professional side of the sport, there needs to be a breakaway league with the major teams and the race organisers taking over control and jettisoning the UCI, who can then focus on the development of the amateur side of the sport ensuring that anyone who wants to compete on a bike, regardless of where they live, has an opportunity. The breakaway league needs to ensure that the likes of Bruyneel, Riis, Ekimov and all those others who have been active in promoting doping are not involved.

Despite all this, I raced my bike yesterday on a damp, muddy afternoon and I had a fucking blast and, when it comes down to it, that's what really matters; people enjoying themselves on bikes.

andyp for UCI President.