Ullrich out of TdF!!!!

**Nanci** · 06-30-2006, 05:22 AM

Yeah, I definitely don't feel bad for people who cheat. They knew the rules.

Nanci

**Tater** · 06-30-2006, 05:50 AM

I agree with Nanci, they do know the rules and what happens when those rules are broken. But what a downer to those who follow them!

**jeannierides** · 06-30-2006, 05:53 AM

Yeah, this whole thing definitely puts a negative *spin* on the sport. I think Landis may have a point...

**maillotpois** · 06-30-2006, 05:54 AM

Shocked. Sad.

So, Susan, Can we get a "do over" of our TdF predictions?

**Aggie_Ama** · 06-30-2006, 05:59 AM

My favorite is Hincapie and I have been telling my DH all along I would like to see him on the podium. I think he could have gotten there with Basso and Ullrich, but I wanted to see him really fight for it. At the rate this is going it might be an all American podium.

I agree, the cheaters knew they were cheating and now they must live with the choice (if true). It just stinks when you cheered for someone and now they might be a cheater. I really like Jan and Ivan, I would like to hear its not true.

**Lifesgreat** · 06-30-2006, 06:04 AM

Is today April 1st????? Oh my goodness!

I am SO bummed these guys are out of the TDF!! I have a question for you who may have more info than I do, how strong is the evidence against these riders? Is it info "leaked" to a paper, or is there stronger evidence than that? If they were cheating, strong punishments are in order.

**jeannierides** · 06-30-2006, 06:17 AM

It seems that they were at the very least *linked* to the Liberty sting...Basso's name appeared on a list of *clients*. Here's what was said about Ulrich...

"Although it hasn't yet been established that Ullrich and Sevilla doped, it has been proven that they had contact with the doctor, which they lied about to T-Mobile."

Unfortunately, it's one of those... "If it walks like a duck..."

And it's not over...

**slinkedog** · 06-30-2006, 06:41 AM

How totally shocking! I couldn't believe it when I read the headline on my Yahoo page!!

It is a sad day for our sport. This just makes it easier to believe, in my mind, that everyone in cycling is doping.

I hope Hincapie, Landis and Levi do well.

**Jo-n-NY** · 06-30-2006, 07:03 AM

Me too "SHOCKED"....Although I considered Hancapie a slight underdog in this, I truely would have been so happy if he won, I just really like the guy. But if Jan won, I would have felt ok also only because I felt bad and figured this would have been his last chance. I am so truely shocked that Basso was in this line up also. What a mush mash of feelings.

Well, there we have it and now I do not consider George an underdog. He just may win it.

"I hope Hincapie, Landis and Levi do well." quote from Slinkdog

I agree and winning in that order won't be so bad either.

~JoAnn

**SadieKate** · 06-30-2006, 07:04 AM

Macebo and Beloki on the list also? It will be curious to see how far this goes to finally get the powers that be to make some effective changes.

**slinkedog** · 06-30-2006, 07:09 AM

Originally Posted by SadieKate

Macebo and Beloki on the list also? It will be curious to see how far this goes to finally get the powers that be to make some effective changes.

Agreed. I want to see cycling cleaned up. With all the Barry Bonds stuff, it's becoming apparent that ALL sports need to be overhauled when it comes to doping.

**KSH** · 06-30-2006, 07:14 AM

You know, I just wonder how ALL these guys make a conscious decision to go and get doped up... right before the race... when they know they are going to get tested.

Doesn't it just seem like a no-brainer to not dope up?

Which makes me think that maybe something that isn't dope is showing up as such in their blood (haven't they made mistakes like that before with blood testing?)... things just aren't adding up. ALL of these cyclists who worked for YEARS for the TdeF can't be THIS STUPID. Right?

Didn't they accuse Lance of doping... year after year? Gosh, they were still harping on that up until a few months ago.

Something isn't adding up ... and after they way they accused Lance on a regular basis, I don't really trust the agency who does this testing.

But, I am sure I don't have all the facts here.

**massbikebabe** · 06-30-2006, 07:18 AM

I just find it tremendously interesting that they wait until THE day before the start to implicate these guys. Are they cheating??? We will never know the whole truth, but if they are it sure does pi$$ me off because I am out there slugging away trying to be a rider with nothing more than asprin, vitamins, and anti-seizure meds. in my body.

karen

**wannaduacentury** · 06-30-2006, 07:28 AM

I'm rooting for Landis and Hincapie. This is just amazing that Basso and Ullrich are out. I'm sure we'll hear more b/f the day is out. No telling what will be next.

**Grog** · 06-30-2006, 07:33 AM

Cycling is a brutal sport. It wrecks out its riders, their health, mental and physical.

Cyclists would kill to be at the Tour de France.

They will also take performance-enhancing drugs and try the weirdest performance-enhancing techniques, like blood transfusion of their own oxygen-maxed blood.

How else would they survive this grueling race, and ride at the speed they ride?

It may actually be a good day for cycling. A serious wake-up call to riders and their coaches and supporting teams. The sport might become less spectacular but cleaner, and healthier for the athletes.

It might be a more exciting year for the TdF with lesser known cyclists taking the lead. Not as good for TV contracts though, but if it has to go through this to revive in a couple years, so be it.

Thread: Ullrich out of TdF!!!!

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