Ah geez....here we go again (Tour thread)

[BikeMomma]

The Tour's first doping positive.....
http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2008...ul08/jul12news

Come on, dudes...get it through your thick brains...we want a clean Tour!

I have an idea -- disqualify the whole Team Liquigas and bring in Astana to replace them.

~BikeMomma

[SadieKate]

Yeah, I agree but . . . .

"If the counter-analysis confirms his positive, then Beltrán will be fired and have to pay the cost."

Um, punitive damages when the B sample hasn't been tested and the labs and methodology are questionable? I really try to ignore all this but isn't it supposed to be confidential until them?

I've been really trying to make all this a very hazy memory because it just makes my head spin, that statement about just wigged me out. Is it any wonder that some of this seems like witchhunting? If she doesn't drown, she's innocent?

[BikeMomma]

The story leaked early, as usual. Yea...it's supposed to be confidential. Ha!

True -- don't hang 'im until he's tried and convicted, but...how many B tests have actually ever disproven the A test? I don't recall even one (someone correct me, please, if there are cases out there). The Cyclingnews.com story also says that he was one of ten cyclists that had abnormal blood tests before the Tour even began, so he was on special watch from day one -- a marked man, so to speak.

Re testing accuracy -- aren't the samples supposed to go to an independent lab too? I might be wrong -- it's been a while since I've thought about this stuff also, and a while since the new procedures were made known.

I didn't used to be so cynical about the A/B test thing...but time has made me jump to accusal quickly, I guess. Just tired of hearing about these icons of the sport who think they are above the law. This sport can't take much more of the same.

Ok, that's my soapbox speech. lol
~Bikemomma

[Zen]

What makes them think they won't get caught?

[Beane]

What makes them think they won't get caught?

That's what I've been wondering too...

[peachgirl]

What makes them think they won't get caught?

Because most of them don't...Beltran's 37...I doubt this is the first time he's ever used EPO...

Ullrich, Basso, etc never tested positive...

[alpinerabbit]

Beltran used to be in Mapei which definitely doped. Oops, he was also in US postal and Discovery Channel... not saying anything here.....

[Possegal]

Yeah, I agree but . . . .

"If the counter-analysis confirms his positive, then Beltrán will be fired and have to pay the cost."

Um, punitive damages when the B sample hasn't been tested and the labs and methodology are questionable?

I believe the term "if the counter-analysis confirms his positive" means if the B sample is positive, so this isn't punitive damages when the B sample hasn't been tested, its damages after the B sample comes back positive too.

Totally agree on the issue about the lab and their methodology, I hope they at least are following SOPs for a change, but I highly doubt it.

And I guess it is hard to keep it confidential when the Gendarme drag him away in a police car. Man, what a risk to take and amazing that given the ever increasing scrutiny they still think they can pull it off. I believe a lot of them got away with it for a long time because the testing was very predictable. It no longer is, so I just can't imagine them being stupid enough to take the chance, and yet, they do. I always figure with most of them, there was some MD or someone with my background telling them, oh this won't be detectable because ..... and they believe it because of the letters after the persons name. Also stupid.

I'm still going to enjoy the tour, but dang it all I'm tired of defending that to so many people (at work mainly).

Plus, this was a Day 1 positive, and don't they all get tested on Day 1? I thought they did.

[alpinerabbit]

just remember... they have to know how to ride a bike 90 kph down a mountain... they have to know how to finish a pack sprint at 60 kph with the risk of crashing ... you can't be very smart to be a pro, in fact it's counterproductive...

[RoadRaven]

LOL Alpine... too funny!



This guy ( don't want to dignify him with a name at this point) is probably also one of the 6 who returned 6 inconclusive pre-tour tests which were sent for further testing.

[SadieKate]

I believe the term "if the counter-analysis confirms his positive" means if the B sample is positive, so this isn't punitive damages when the B sample hasn't been tested, its damages after the B sample comes back positive too.

He's already suffering based on the first test with without a second confirming test, all with suspect methodology.

To paraphrase a no-win question, "So, Mr. Beltran, when did you stop using drugs?"

On a brighter note, it was sure fun watching Levi and Chris in person over the last two days.