Vino positive!!!

[maillotpois]

I haven't seen any English language news on this, but apparently Vino tested positive for homologous blood transfusion after the TT:

http://www.lequipe.fr/Cyclisme/breve...171249Dev.html

Of note - the Châtenay-Malabry lab is again involved (maybe they're the only lab in France?).

It sounds like he's quitting the Tour now. (At the end - my French isn't 100&#37.

ETA: Now it's hitting the English language news:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2007...ul07/jul25news

[IFjane]

I have not said this publicly, but I had a feeling he was doping. Time will tell.

[IFjane]

http://www.velonews.com/tour2007/det...s/12910.0.html

[BikeMomma]

Pardon my expression here, but WTF is wrong with these guys???? Do they not realize how doping is ruining the grandeur of professional cycling? Do they not realize that they have soured the flavor of this year's Tour??

Pleeeeaase let this be untrue.

I just cannot understand or fathom how someone could be so freaking stupid. Thanks Vino. Thanks alot. Courage my azz!

(AAArrrrg!!!)
Thanks for the opportunity to vent, gals.
~BikeMomma

[maillotpois]

I am also really mad about this. What are they thinking?? And then there's the guy who says Rasmussen tried to get him to bring veterinary blood replacement to Europe in a shoebox several years ago. It's all as bad as Rumsas' wife and Vandenbrooke's dog.

[sundial]

I'm sooooooo unhappy about this development. Why oh why do these boys try stunts like this?? I have been following Vino since his crash and I was so happy for him in the last stage. And now.......

I hope our Discovery boys are clean.

[bikerchick68]

this makes me mad too. these guys are and have been my heroes... the people I think of and look up to when I'm out there suffering on MY bike... how freakin dare they?

it's so danged disappointing.

[jeannierides]

Pardon my expression here, but WTF is wrong with these guys???? Do they not realize how doping is ruining the grandeur of professional cycling? Do they not realize that they have soured the flavor of this year's Tour??

Pleeeeaase let this be untrue.

I just cannot understand or fathom how someone could be so freaking stupid. Thanks Vino. Thanks alot. Courage my azz!

(AAArrrrg!!!)
Thanks for the opportunity to vent, gals.
~BikeMomma

This was my first thought, too! I guess, like most of you, I'm not too surprised that there is yet another doping scandel. I wondered out loud to my boss and my SO regarding Vino's suddenly *found* energy... but hoped against hope that it would not be true!
I'm thinking (as is my SO) that maybe the only ones not doping are the ones not winning! Please please please let George not be!

[Grog]

On another cycling forum (French language) I visit, a Paris guy posted this message. I'm quickly translating:

"For the moment in France it's boiling big bubbles but we know little. Most of the cyclists here know very well that 98% of the racers dope and that those who are caught, it's because of the "soigneur"'s [team "nurse"] error. For us who have been in the cycling milieu for years (my great-uncle was a bike constructor and had a pro team), WE KNOW. Whatever the commentators say, we're not dupes. The dope in European cycling is at all levels, even in village crits where the price is a bunch of groceries from local shopkeepers, there are lots of them everywhere at the beginning and end of the season.

There is also doping in Sunday morning rides, to follow a group of younger guys who ride faster and further...

One must remember the heads of racers getting at the top of the "cols" (passes) thirty years ago, looking like agonizing old men, whereas today the champions climb with their mouth closed (they breathe through their ears maybe?)."

[li10up]

Right after the stage win yesterday Vino was talking in the ear at length with someone. I had a strange feeling that he was telling them that problems were on the horizon or that he had decided to quit. I had a flashback to Landis and thought to myself... this will either prove that Landis was clean or that Vino will be found to have doped.