You Brought This on Yourselves

Where is the line in supporting the investigation and believing in the evidence that was given to the teams that required the removal of those riders? We have to take some things on their presented value. Unfortunately for us as rabid fans we are passionate about the sport and want things to be on the up and up. We tend to believe the little information that is put out there because we have no other sources. If it was just a knee-jerk reaction from the Teams then there really is a much deeper problem, paranoia is setting in.

That said, I find it incredibly  sad that those riders and their team had to sit out of the biggest race of the year, especially when I am a strong believer that had Vino been in the race it was his to win. Can anyone imagine the biggest goal of their lives about to be realized and then snatched away at the last second only to get an "Oh by the way, sorry you are cleared now" after the race is over. How do they that time back. How does the support staff make up for three weeks of lost work? What recourse do they have now? I would seriously be looking at making the ASO, the UCI and the Spanish authorities provide recompense for the debacle.

I also don't see much that is valid in your rant.  My "predecessors fought and died to protect?"  WTF are you talking about?  Those guyus were yanked by their teams, not due to any outcrying from the PC community.

Cycling does more to stop doping than any other sport and I applaud that.  Is it perfect, no, but at least there is a diligent effort.

Whereas what you seem to be saying is that it is "futile" while crowing about your earlier predictions.  Your holier than thou attitude raises my hackles.  If Ullrich , Basso, Landis, Lance, any of them are quilty I say kick the bums out.  It's cheating pure and simple and I for one applaude the efforts to stop it.

Dude, I don't think sweeping generalizations about the readers here suits you. If you were writing to ASO, your piece would be more effective. But here at the Cafe...

1. I don't recall too much cheering, more like mixed emotions
2. I DO recall personally stating that if the accused weren't guilty, then in at least Ullrich's case (last chance, etc.) it was tragic.
3. I recall several people pointing out, including myself, that these were suspicions, not proof.
4. MOst of all, if people wanted the OP names out, I suspect it's because some people want to give the investigators the benefit of the doubt. You don't. Fine, that's a choice... based on pure speculation. Unless you've read the reports, searched Saiz' trunk, or looked into Ivan Basso's soul, you and I and the rest of us have no actual idea what's going on. We have news reports, that's it. So some people draw one conclusion from the reports, and you draw another. I don't see why we should condemn the former and celebrate the latter, when the real story finally, finally shows up.

That I wasn't cheering as Vino was my pre-race favorite and Astana-Wurth is still my favorite team in cycling. Contador and Davis are among my favorite riders. I was more heartbroken than anything else.

As for everything else? I hate doping and wish we could get rid of it, but I don't necessarily believe that's possible.

You've managed to take self-righteousness to a whole new level. Applause, everyone.

Some of us did, in fact, point out the lack of due process. The presumption of guilt. And what seemed like a media willing to overlook any inconvenient facts (such as the lack of public disclosure).

And speaking of jaded and cynical, many did note the timing of the announcement (clearly designed to maximize publicity) while the World Cup athletes skated by without a peep.

And please - how many "cheered" the banning Ullrich and Basso - one of the most-anticipated matchups of the year? That's a classic, self-righteous strawman.

Do I feel betrayed by Floyd? Why? Nothing's been proved, and elevated testosterone levels (something produced by the body after all) aren't exactly unusual in athletes.

I'm waiting to see what happens before I start attacking people. And I see little point in attacking the folks who had nothing to do with the investigation, the timing of the announcement, and the banning of what will likely prove to be some innocent riders.

Rail against the Guardia. The WADA. Whoever. But attacking the fans - who have suffered through enough real drug scandals to start having doubts about the process - say a hell of a lot more about your approach than theirs.

Am I pissed about the way it was handled? Yup. Did I tell the inevitable callers that elements of this thing stunk and to wait to see what happened? Absolutely. Have I publicA

reaction to the fans of this sight of hearing about Basso, Jan and Astana.  I'm not sure what you mean by "brought this on ourselves".  Are you refering to the fans or the UCI and WADA?  We would all love to see a clean sport, but I'm certainly no fan of invasions of privacy that these guys live with.  Raids, sting operations, public outings before conclusions etc.  These guys are cyclists for crying out loud not drug kingpins.

that pro riders haven't formed a union yet?  If it is a possibility I think these events might be a catalyst.  I think the riders need more protections and some basic rights.  
  I would worry though that eventually there would be a strike and thats not fun either (I'm just being selfish).