Again?! TDF Doping!

[chutch]

http://tour-de-france.velonews.com/a...tive%5B/url%5D

[Aggie_Ama]

I am not surprised when I saw which rider. Really sucks to see it though.

[Becky]

Didn't someone here speculate that Ricco would be found out as a doper?

I can't say that I'm surprised by this news, but it's definitely diappointing.

[Aggie_Ama]

I didn't on the board, but when he peeled off on stage 9 like a man possessed I said to my husband "There is the next doper".

[chutch]

Yeah, I'm not surprised. But frustrated. I just wonder what makes these people think that they're not going to get caught- and what makes them rationalize that it's worth the risk. Yeah, you may get a few wins but if you get caught you're reputation is ruined.

[Tri Girl]

All the VS announcers were slamming the first doper, calling him stupid and such. I agree. How stupid do you have to be to even try it during this race when they scrutinize everyone so closely. Such idiots. Very disappointing. Makes me wonder if the sport will ever be clean...

[Blueberry]

*sigh*

What a disappointment.

DH and I were wondering whether he would have any blood left after they got done testing him following one of his stage wins. Of course, they need to be *very* sure that the tests they're using are accurate.

CA

[Eden]

*sigh*

What a disappointment.

DH and I were wondering whether he would have any blood left after they got done testing him following one of his stage wins. Of course, they need to be *very* sure that the tests they're using are accurate.

CA

most of the testing is done with urine... I would bet riders would be quite unhappy if the testers were always demanding blood. They did all have a pre-race blood analysis to check for "anomalies". Apparently all of the people who have had positives so far were targeted for a lot of testing, because their original blood tests showed irregularities. (usually this means a higher than average hematocrit - which in itself *does not* necessarily mean cheating, but means they are a person to watch).

Now this means one of two things..... either its working and the extended testing is catching the cheaters, or they are testing suspects until they find what they want....

Still, its very disappointing to hear Ricco was probably doping. He was riding brilliantly and I was beginning to believe that he might deserve some of his self congratulations...

[TxDoc]

*sigh*

What a disappointment.

DH and I were wondering whether he would have any blood left after they got done testing him following one of his stage wins. Of course, they need to be *very* sure that the tests they're using are accurate.

CA

Well, yes and no... yes the initial tests are accurate at spotting any abnormal value; no they do not give a definite answer to whether an illicit product was administered to the rider.
In other words, with the new regulations every abnormal test result is considered 'doping' until proven otherwise. It is a presumptive diagnosis. After an abnormal result a rider is considered positive, and additional tests have to be done to discern between an abnormal result due to the assumption of a banned product - or an abnormal result due to other concomitant medical conditions or natural causes. But as per the new rules, the rider is considered positive for doping and expelled from the race(s) until new evidence is collected.
So in a way you are considered guilty until proven otherwise. It is the only way to make sure that anything suspect gets caught in the net. And that is why in most pro races they collect baseline values before the start now: it is sort of an insurance for both the organizers and the racers (and their teams), so that they can run comparisons when they identify a suspect case.
Laboratory medicine unfortunately is not perfect, they do the best they can do to ensure a honest and clean Tour - hopefully the more strict regulations will help without making unnecessary victims.
In my opinion, I would rather see a 'non-doper' that has to go through further testing to be cleared - than have too many 'dopers' falling through the cracks without getting caught. It is the only way to make pro cycling a clean sport.

[Becky]

I didn't on the board, but when he peeled off on stage 9 like a man possessed I said to my husband "There is the next doper".

Yeah, me too. DH came running down the hall this morning, saying "you were right!"

[rij73]

Crapola... I really didn't care when it was guys who weren't performing well anyway, but Ricco made that thrilling attack. I couldn't help wondering when I watched it if maybe he was doping. It's really too bad. I wish these guys would cut it out already!

[Kalidurga]

I'm to the point that I'm so astounded at the stupidity of these guys that I can't even feel frustration or disappointment, only amazement.

Perhaps the high altitudes at which they ride have addled their brains...?

[GLC1968]

I didn't on the board, but when he peeled off on stage 9 like a man possessed I said to my husband "There is the next doper".

I said the same thing to mine! Now he thinks I'm brilliant.

It still sucks though.