What the ?????

[Fredwina]

I think it shows that you publish just about anything on the 'Net. I noticed that Velo News didn't pick it up and CyclingNews.com only had it as a "unconfirmed rumor".
I believe that they are doing the testing differently this year. I read on another board that the usually ran the inexpensive test first and then broke out the pricey ones if they found something fishy. Plus, there is a power Struggle between the ASO and the UCI.

[Duck on Wheels]

That is sad. Good and bad I suppose... when money and sponsorship is on the line- everything changes. Not that amateurs don't do bad things- but when nothing's hanging over your head as a carrot- you tend to do it for the right reasons.

Well, on the other hand ... The "gurus" who make sponsorship arrangements here were on the news the past couple of days explaining why all the sponsor rats are fleeing the sinking pro cycling ship: Sponsors spend hundreds of millions fielding a team for the Tour de ... The point for the sponsors is to have their company name associated with a winner. So, who's gonna shell out hundreds of millions to have their company name associated with cheats and dopeheads? Which is why sponsors are now shifting their money elsewhere.

Meanwhile, in other news, anonymous surveys claim to have found that thousands of Norwegian teens are taking steroids to be faster, stronger, buffer. So we can't turn to amateurs to save sports either. Maybe we really should follow one Norwegian comedian's advice: Get your kids into drinking before they get hooked on sports!

[Thorn]

Get your kids into drinking before they get hooked on sports!

Sad, but funny.

Here's some food for thought...while I tend to look for conspiracies (bad habit, I know), Kloden is saying what I've been thinking...

Kloden: "I know it sounds fanciful. In cycling the UCI and ASO are fighting for the Tour. People are plotting things, everyone is wishing the worst for everyone else. A lot of money is at stake. What if some people are manipulating things, ruining things, in order to take control of what's left?"

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/280720...etirement.html

[DrBee]

Thorn - That would be awful and pretty shameless if it were true. Let's hope not. I'm forever a sceptic (is that spelled wrong?), but I surely hope they wouldn't stoop that low.

MP - I knew there was something familiarly creepy looking about Soler - you hit it right on the mark!

[Starfish]

MP, that pic was hilarious! And, I would just like to state for the record, that when/if I actually finish my Shasta Summit Century next week...well...(with two hands raised in the "V" sign)...I - AM - NOT - A - DOPER!

[maillotpois]

when/if I actually finish my Shasta Summit Century next week

That'd be WHEN.

[RoadRaven]

His management confirmed it was a rumour before stage 19


He does look fugly on a bike... but what a thrill for him to be riding (have ridden now its all over) in such company and in such a prestigious race!

I am so pleased it was just a stupid rumour and unsubstantiated!

Like Fredwina... I went straight to CyclingNews to see what they had to say, and there was nothing there for quite some time, and then (I think it was CyclingNews) there was mention of it enough to say that his management would be doing a press release at 11am.