Floyd Landis speaks...

[tiva]

Actually, the skating technique just came along relatively recently - I don't think it was ever outlawed. Once it caught on, they realized that nobody would do the classic techniqu

You're right: after the 1985 world championships in Seefeld, there was a lot of talk about banning it, with the Norwegians in particular pushing for a ban. But then the FIS agreed to separate out the races instead. http://northernlightsonline.blogspot...evolution.html

[Skierchickie]

Cycle racing could become like cross-country ski racing (which has separate races for classic technique, and for the much faster skate technique--faster, but for a while, outlawed.)

Actually, the skating technique just came along relatively recently - I don't think it was ever outlawed. Once it caught on, they realized that nobody would do the classic technique in a race, ever again, if they didn't separate out the 2 techniques. For a few years, while I was in college, you had to skate or you'd always place poorly - but either technique was allowed. Anyway, it became clear that what is now known as the classic technique would just die out if they didn't do something to save it.

I'm not sure it's as simple as just separating cycling into "with" and "without" categories. In a perfect world, where everyone is honest, but that's the opposite of what what we're dealing with here. The guys who cheat now will cheat, for the same reasons they cheat now. Why would someone that intent on winning at all costs want to race with a bunch of dopers, given a choice? I'd be willing to bet that at least a few people who would be willing to dope would also be willing to enter the "clean" category - and have an unfair advantage. It could possibly turn into a doper's dream scenario.

Money, money, money. And rock-star fame. But mostly money. The guys who are doping (and I'm still stubbornly and naively clinging to the dream that it isn't everyone) are doping for the money, and are willing to risk everything to do it. Why would that change? I think the consequences aren't strict enough to be a deterrent.

Boo Floyd! Boo Floyd for doping. Boo Floyd for lying. Boo Floyd for stealing. And boo Floyd for trying to sabotage everyone else as he's going down. I really have to think there is some mental illness there - it's just too weird. My DH thinks he's getting paid.

[Skierchickie]

Cycle racing could become like cross-country ski racing (which has separate races for classic technique, and for the much faster skate technique--faster, but for a while, outlawed.)

Actually, the skating technique just came along relatively recently - I don't think it was ever outlawed. Once it caught on, they realized that nobody would do the classic technique in a race, ever again, if they didn't separate out the 2 techniques. For a few years, while I was in college, you had to skate or you'd always place poorly - but either technique was allowed. Anyway, it became clear that what is now known as the classic technique would just die out if they didn't do something to save it.

I'm not sure it's as simple as just separating cycling into "with" and "without" categories. In a perfect world, where everyone is honest, but that's the opposite of what what we're dealing with here. The guys who cheat now will cheat, for the same reasons they cheat now. Why would someone that intent on winning at all costs want to race with a bunch of dopers, given a choice? I'd be willing to bet that at least a few people who would be willing to dope would also be willing to enter the "clean" category - and have an unfair advantage. It could possibly turn into a doper's dream scenario.

Money, money, money. And rock-star fame. But mostly money. The guys who are doping (and I'm still stubbornly and naively clinging to the dream that it isn't everyone) are doping for the money, and are willing to risk everything to do it. Why would that change? I think the consequences aren't strict enough to be a deterrent.

Boo Floyd! Boo Floyd for doping. Boo Floyd for lying. Boo Floyd for stealing. And boo Floyd for trying to sabotage everyone else as he's going down. I really have to think there is some mental illness there - it's just too weird. My DH thinks he's getting paid.

[TrekTheKaty]

I disagree. Anyone who keeps on lying and lying and lying while asking total strangers to donate money to pay his legal bills deserves nothing. I just feel bad for his mother.

What she said.........