The Chicken gets plucked!

[bikerchick68]

Do you think Rabobank is really that dumb? that they would take some reporters word without questioning Rasmussen further and trying to decide for themselves where he was based on that new information?

I have a hard time believing they're so stupid they based firing the guy on nothing more than that... but then, I'm getting more and more cynical about the pros in the sport as time goes on.

[Number 7]

New York Times

This article says that when questioned, Ras confessed to being in Italy and not Mexico.


Go Contador!

[SadieKate]

What I am hoping for:

-- An absolutely clean finish to the tour - no more failed tests and lies but I won't be naive if that doesn't happen

-- A very close and competitive time trial showdown between Alberto, Levi and Cadel. I think that would be really exciting.

-- A TT win by George because he could win on this course without jeopardizing the podium standings but I want him to win just cuz.

Who I'm really happy for: Mauricio Soler. He legitimately took the polka dot jersey off Rasmussen's back. He didn't get it by default and he just exudes the love of the sport and the competition. The Big Red Rooster was bobbin' 'n weaving yesterday.*

*Anyone remember the old California Cheese commercials with the silly rooster voiced by Bob Goldthwait?

[Grog]

I have a hard time believing they're so stupid they based firing the guy on nothing more than that... but then, I'm getting more and more cynical about the pros in the sport as time goes on.

There has been four missed controls over the past little while (one year?), two by the Danish authorities and two by the UCI. Rules say you miss three and you're out, however it doesn't say three by WHOM so that was a bit of a tough call, but Danish authorities kicked him out of the Danish national team (Olympics etc.), and commented about how he did not collaborate with them. I'm surprised Robobank kept him for so long, it's not really good for the sponsors' name to have one of your team's racers being excluded from his national team.

ETA: Actually the EXCELLENT NYT article linked above states that the rules say that it's three missed controls by the same organization. Supposedly the rule has been or is going to be changed for "three controls" period.

[li10up]

Men in black is not to be taken literally. It was another rider that saw MR in the Dolomites - not a reporter. Looks like he's told so many lies he himself can't keep track of them all.

[Geonz]

THe question in my mind is how deeply adn widely the corruption flows. If somebody could be stupid enough to keep a-dopin', then somebody else might be clever enough to bribe the right folks to plant the right stuff.
Now, egos being what they are it may be more likely an athlete will want that thrill and taste and feel of victory, as in crossing that line first with that euphoric (if pain-laden) thrill - badly enough to figure "I won't be caught... I'm doing x, y, and z" or "they're all doing it so they can't bust us all!" ... or any of the things we put together to rationalize irrational behavior. I don't know. I don't think the testers are necessarily *anything* like "clean" either, though.

I think too many people take competition just too seriously...