Floyd has definitely taken a hit - both by not riding and in the pocketbook. I've heard him say it's cost him $1M+ to defend himself.
It just seems to me that these guys believe the chance of winning the TDF outweighs any potential risk to cheat the sport.
Sad.
Like I said, they get a two-year ban for the first offense. As far as I'm aware, it's the stiffest ban around, outside of maybe track and field.
I think it's probably fairer to say riders think they can find ways to cheat the system and they keep finding out that they're wrong.
Also, no one wants to kill the goose that keeps laying golden eggs.Originally Posted by Mutaman
I'm not a system player. I am a system.
Rider protest today:
http://sports.yahoo.com/sc/news?slug...france-protest
As I speak to most people, I'm finding they don't even understand 'blood doping'. Most casual fans believe it's an illegal drug the riders are injecting into their bodies, when most times it is their own blood being transfused back into them. Granted, it gives them an unfair advantage and should get them kicked from the sport for a period of time, but it's not going to land them in jail. Having a blood transfusion is not going to do irreparable damage to your body like a steroid or amphetamine and it's not illegal in any country as far as
I know. Anyway, I'm not trying to justify cheating, just saying they're not breaking laws or killing themselves while they are cheating...still pretty stupid tho.
The top four finish in 1,4,2,3 order today and it doesn't change the overall standings much.
"This field, this game, is a part of our past. It reminds us of all that once was good, and what could be again." -- Terence Mann
Rasmussen pulled, Contador (Discovery Channel) now race leader:
http://sports.yahoo.com/sc/news?slug=ap-tourdefrance
Wow.
All credit to Rabobank for kicking him out, though they really should have nailed this down prior to the tour (admittedly that may be easier said than done). It's too bad because today's leg was an exceptional race and for the second year in a row the big moment in the TDF has been tarnished.
Hopefully we get a rip roaring time trial on Saturday.
I'm not a system player. I am a system.
I wonder if Rabobank waited as long as possible to pull Rasmussen, hoping against hope that he would surrender the yellow jersey. I think if Rasmussen isn't wearing it and is no danger of winning the Tour this doesn't happen. Pure speculation on my part.
One heckuva time trial today as Levi Leipheimer nearly overcomes about a 2 minute 50 second deficit. He comes up just 8 seconds short of Caudel Evans, who in turn put the pressure on Alberto Contador. When the dust finally settled Contador held on to the yellow jersey with Evans 23 seconds back and Leipheimer 31 seconds back. Leipheimer had the 4th fastest time trial in Tour history and the margin between the three podium finishers is also the closest ever.
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