Doping made easy

http://nyvelocity.com/content/interv.../landiskimmage

This is a link to the entire Landis-Kimmage interview transcript.
I figured you've all read the New York Times article the guy wrote, but the entire interview is fascinating.

Harsh language is used, so be warned.

Its the most in depth I've ever heard any rider talk about doping in the professional peloton. Its very interesting, very depressing. I just had a friend get signed to BMC... he's like... the most innocent kid ever... now i feel like even he will succumb to the doping trend.

Just curious, who is your friend?

I'm a HUGE BMC fan and in my little Pollyanna way, I'd like to say he won't be tempted by this team. I think there are some great guys on the team that will guide your friend in the right direction.

(BTW, I'm chosing to not read the transcript because it'll probably ruin my Pollyanna-ness.)

Might be a good thing not to read it then, loopybunny. It's also eons long, so save you some time. Actually, half of it is really just about Landis and his career and life and struggles and whatnot. I think the theme of the entire interview is GUILT.

My friend is the baby-faced Chris Butler. If you're friends with BMC on facebook he appears in a couple photos. I went to college with him and my bf has a cycling man-crush on him because Butler's a good climber. Interestingly enough, the kid used to run a lot of cross country. However, he struggled with recurring injuries. He just recently started riding when he started college, so, only 4 years. We're excited to see where he goes.

Thank you *so much* for posting this. I read the whole thing, it did take me more than an hour. This is a piece of anthology. I am a sociologist by training and this is truly a good use of the "life history" method. Tragic, so tragic. And all the best to Floyd.

Good luck to your friend. Please remember that it's a dirty and difficult world he's getting into, and that he'll always need a friend, regardless of how things turn out. I wouldn't wish a career in pro-cycling to my worst enemy I think.

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Originally Posted by FunSize

Might be a good thing not to read it then, loopybunny. It's also eons long, so save you some time. Actually, half of it is really just about Landis and his career and life and struggles and whatnot. I think the theme of the entire interview is GUILT.

My friend is the baby-faced Chris Butler. If you're friends with BMC on facebook he appears in a couple photos.

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Thanks for the advice on not bothering reading the Landis interview. I read his book so it sounds like I got half of the story then.

Ah yes... little Chris Butler! I know exactly who he is. I took this shot of him at last year's Tour of California. He uses it as his Twitter icon (I'm not sure if that's his choice or Sean Weide's doing.) My heart will break the day he decides to change it. (No, seriously... I can't tell you how thrilled I am that a rider on a WorldTour team uses my photo as his avatar!)

I didn't wanna read it, but I couldn't help myself. Took forever, but VERY interesting. Is the women's pro circuit the same as the men's?

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Originally Posted by bonnypriest

Is the women's pro circuit the same as the men's?

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I have no idea, but my guess is that since there is much less $$$ at stake and the women get paid much less, they can't afford to dope, or at least no in sophisticated ways like the boys...

Well, Genevieve Jeanson admitted to doping... she was a pro roadie. Apparently, started EPO at 16. !!!! I would guess that because there is less money in it it would be less, too. Or at least the press hasn't gotten to it yet.

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Originally Posted by bonnypriest

I didn't wanna read it, but I couldn't help myself. Took forever, but VERY interesting. Is the women's pro circuit the same as the men's?

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Some of them do dope and get caught doing it. However, based on what I've read in interview with the ladies, they aren't tested nearly as much as the men. There is virtually no out of competition testing and some races don't even test the winners.

It was very interesting reading about FLoyd. From what I could tell, he was not prepared emotionally for the stresses of the circuit. And then when it all came tumbling down, he was just not able to cope with the even worse stresses of the battle. He was incredibly naive. Plus it seems like he had this competition thing going with Lance. I mean, talk about setting yourself up to fail... Ever since he was a little boy he was breaking the rules. So it was relatively easy to break more rules and figure there was a greater morality somewhere that made it ok. The doping scene is a very sad commentary on modern life.. Another thing we can't fix (repair)

I'm still not done reading it. But it's really interesting - tons better than any of the books I've read about any of them.