I took another week off as my Achilles still wasn't right. Went for an easy 5k yesterday and did not get a reaction so will attempt a very steady progression. Managed a few laps in the pool after my run, a sure sign that Summer is coming if a pansy like me can get in the pool!
This last week has been huge in the cycling world and I am fascinated about the details and have enjoyed reading story after story. I was a Lance fan up to about 2008, but back then I only watched the sport on TV and had no idea about the pervasiveness of drugs in the culture other than the news when cheats failed tests. My opinion was swayed by Liggett and Sherwin, and they hardly ever discussed the matter. About 2008 I was reading Pete Magills former blog Younger legs for older runners where he implicated a number of drug cheats including Lance. I commented 'say it ain't so' and Pete confirmed the suspicion surrounding LA. I bought the books Lance to Landis /Rough Ride/Breaking the chain and started to read the stories on Cycling News. It made me wonder just how many Track guys doped , there was always the suspicion about Spanish guys like Cacho and certain Italians and of course Bauman from Germany (who did get caught).
It has been a massive vindication for the likes Bassons who was pilloried by the whole Peleton for NOT taking drugs ! And for Simeoni for speaking out, for Betsy Andreu for telling the truth and for Kimmage and Walsh for leading the crusade in journalism.
The fallout seems to be ongoing and any former Postal rider who says they are 'shocked' by the revelations need to be investigated and banned if implicated for continuing the lie. I'm all for truth and reconciliation and accept those who hold up their hands be dealt with more leniently than those who continue to lie. It was good to see Matty White come clean but sad that he had to be outed first.
Let's hope this time the UCI actually does something about it rather than continue down the current path. Drug testing needs to be taken out of their hands.
This last week has been huge in the cycling world and I am fascinated about the details and have enjoyed reading story after story. I was a Lance fan up to about 2008, but back then I only watched the sport on TV and had no idea about the pervasiveness of drugs in the culture other than the news when cheats failed tests. My opinion was swayed by Liggett and Sherwin, and they hardly ever discussed the matter. About 2008 I was reading Pete Magills former blog Younger legs for older runners where he implicated a number of drug cheats including Lance. I commented 'say it ain't so' and Pete confirmed the suspicion surrounding LA. I bought the books Lance to Landis /Rough Ride/Breaking the chain and started to read the stories on Cycling News. It made me wonder just how many Track guys doped , there was always the suspicion about Spanish guys like Cacho and certain Italians and of course Bauman from Germany (who did get caught).
It has been a massive vindication for the likes Bassons who was pilloried by the whole Peleton for NOT taking drugs ! And for Simeoni for speaking out, for Betsy Andreu for telling the truth and for Kimmage and Walsh for leading the crusade in journalism.
The fallout seems to be ongoing and any former Postal rider who says they are 'shocked' by the revelations need to be investigated and banned if implicated for continuing the lie. I'm all for truth and reconciliation and accept those who hold up their hands be dealt with more leniently than those who continue to lie. It was good to see Matty White come clean but sad that he had to be outed first.
Let's hope this time the UCI actually does something about it rather than continue down the current path. Drug testing needs to be taken out of their hands.
2 comments:
Spot on Dave, the entire pro cycling community has disgraced themselves. What kind of community allows Armstrong destroy the careers of people for telling the truth, when every single person involved with cycling was fully aware of the extent of his cheating.
Nice blog Master, although i'll be sending the testers up to you if i hear you are doing any more swimming :)
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