So dissapointed

[macski]

I am heartbroken about the revelations (particlularly about Lance) although for the past 12 to 18 months I have been anticipating this outcome. Prior to that I had been clinging to a naive hope.

Unlike others, I do believe that some current pro riders are clean. Perhaps it is my Australian bias but I believe that Cadel Evans (amongst others) is a clean rider and that if he had been doping he might have won those two tours where he came second. He is one of the people that you can see suffering on the bike.

[pll]

I am not particularly disappointed. I was never a fan of Armstrong (as I have mentioned several times in this forum) and actually disliked his arrogance. For so many years, there were allegations and rumors around him and his teams.

At any rate, I will continue to be a fan of the sport. It is a beautiful sport and I watch the grand tours and classics in part because of the scenery. I have never idolized any athlete (or anyone else), so this mess leaves me shaking my head. It is sad to see sponsors leaving the sport at a point where the European teams need it the most because of the Euro zone crisis.

[bluebug32]

I love to ride and race my bike and this will never change. I prefer to watch women's racing if/when it's televised and I enjoy the men's as much for the scenery as the sport. It sucks to have cycling's reputation tarnished by all of this, but I also realize that the more pressure we place on our athlete's as spectators and sponsors, the more they will be driven to such extremes. IMO, Lance is a separate case. The man is a sociopath, a bully, a cheater and a chronic liar. He would be toxic in any environment.

[limewave]

I saw this craigslist posting and it made me really sad. I wanted to believe Lance, I really, really did. Sigh.

In other, somewhat related news, did anyone go see The Levi Effect last night? There was a showing not too far from us but I couldn't get a babysitter. I'm hoping to either buy the DVD or download it when it becomes available.

I haven't watched the Tour for a few years now, it just seems so fake to me. And I've been hearing rumblings of local racers doping! Seriously! Is it that big of a deal to win an AG?????? I have been slowly distancing myself from the race scene. I still do xc mtb races and I really enjoy them, but I don't care as much about how I place. Racing is really changing for me--its not a motivational tool to keep and build fitness and to live a healthy lifestyle.

[Giulianna23]

but I also realize that the more pressure we place on our athlete's as spectators and sponsors, the more they will be driven to such extremes. IMO

Agree with bluebug32



BTW...I had the chance to go watch this movie this past Monday, but couldn't make it http://risingfromashesthemovie.com/ sounds very interesting and encouraging.

[mumbles]

I think they all worked hard to get where they are and any edge they can get, they will take. If everyone else at the top is doping, then you are gonna do it to. Not saying that is right, but is likely the way it is.