Saturday Mix 'n' Match

by Jen See on Nov 22, 2008 6:11 PM EST in News

Two completely un-related topics in one post: Niels Albert update, and a new anti-doping policy at the Giro d'Italia.

For the Albert fans, Belgian television reported that he was released from hospital Saturday. They also found a broken rib and treated him for a developing lung infection, which they caught in time. He will have one week of rest, then next weekend can begin aqua jogging for rehab. Unfortunately, it will likely be at least four weeks before he can train outside, and his season is all-but certainly over. Sven Nys has sent his good wishes to Albert, and said to the press, that he likes racing against the young up and coming talent, because it adds to the challenge. — Source, Christine Vardaros.

Meanwhile in Italy, Angelo Zomegnan has declared January 2009 to be "Kilometer Zero" in the fight against doping. "There is too much uncertainty and too little security," he said during a celebration of the Giro's 100th Anniversary held at The Convent of Santa Lucia La Castellina. Zomegnan declared that the RCS would exclude riders with doping infractions, and that they would retain the discretion to decide how long riders would remain ineligible for RCS races, regardless of the UCI sanctions. Zomegnan did not mention any specific riders that they intended to exclude. Will the new policy will apply to returning Italian stage racer and former Giro winner, Ivan Basso? Impossible to know just yet, though certainly the Liquigas management must be wondering exactly what the RCS has in mind. — Source, tuttobiciweb.

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Comments

Good news on Albert.

I think he’s actually been released earlier than they thought. Still gutted for him though. So unfortunate.

by Albertina on Nov 22, 2008 6:45 PM EST reply actions

There is no way Zomegnan bans Basso from riding nexy year

A) Basso will bring added media attention to the media attention Armstrong will bring, and the Basso vs. Armstrong match up will also get more people to watch
B) Basso is probably the best hope for the Italians next year, the Tifosi would mob Zomegnan if he bans Basso from riding.

But if he does ban Basso then that decision would be up there on the dumb scale, with Ball saying Pevenage is the greatest DS of the last 20 years.

"If you go (with a break), you can either win or not win. If you don't go for it, you definitely won't win."
~ Jens Voigt

by Phil H. on Nov 22, 2008 8:00 PM EST reply actions

Z's comments

were certainly directed Vino. If the UCI fails to block his return, then the organizers will make sure he doesn’t take the start in any important races. Should Schumi somehow find a way to wiggle out of his suspension, RCS is making it perfectly clear that he will be unwelcome, as well.

Basso is safe. There is no way in hell he misses this year’s Giro.

by The Team Chef on Nov 22, 2008 9:37 PM EST reply actions

Should Schumi somehow find a way to wiggle out of his suspension

then he won’t have committed a doping infraction an no one can stop him from riding nothing.

pounding along in three ratios like a sonata
like a Ritter with pommelled scrotum atra cura on the step
Botticelli from the fork down pestling the transmission
tires bleeding voiding zeep the highway

by fmk on Nov 23, 2008 5:53 AM EST up reply actions

Respectufully disagree.

The organizers do have some control over who they invite to their races, therefore a cyclist who hasn’t comitted a doping infraction can most certainly be stopped from riding a particular race. It’s been done before.

by The Team Chef on Nov 23, 2008 10:24 AM EST up reply actions

This is not good.

Cleary, doping is the larger problem, but I’d call this a close second. IMHO, the ProTour was a laudable attempt made by the UCI to avoid another Mercury fiasco—and that was definitely a fiasco. How can any DS walk up to a large corporation and ask them to fork over the cash unless they can be assured of the races that the team will be able to participate in? It just doesn’t make sense.
I don’t know Zomegnan’s intentions, but excluding riders and teams for arbitrary or political reasons is a major blow to global cycling. It makes me wonder if cycling isn’t regressing toward its jingoistic past and using doping as cover. Will Basso have his own personal helicopter during the TT’s, pushing him toward the line? Do we remember Moser?

Never, ever, work with a sprinter.

by Put 'Em in the Gutter on Nov 22, 2008 10:29 PM EST reply actions

How can any team be assured of races?

Easy, don’t hire the dopers, ex-doper DSs and those who wriggled off on a technicality. Why should any company want to sponsor a race when there is a good chance that the guy who walks off with the big cuddly mascot in the shape of your logo gets disqualified 6 months down the line, screwing up your latest marketing campaign.

by Monty. on Nov 23, 2008 7:41 AM EST up reply actions

Bradley Wiggins not such a great drinker after all

Brad made quite a bit of noise in a few interviews this summer about how he had drunk far too much after the Olympics in 2004 and again this year. So he’ll probably be quite embarrassed about a story up on Christian Meyer’s blog (the Canuck, he may spell it differently – I found it via CFA) about how he came last in a drinking game when Garmin visited a brewery in Boulder, so ended up running naked round the car-park.

by Monty. on Nov 23, 2008 7:33 AM EST reply actions

I saw that and laughed loudly. What a wuss Wiggins is.

pounding along in three ratios like a sonata
like a Ritter with pommelled scrotum atra cura on the step
Botticelli from the fork down pestling the transmission
tires bleeding voiding zeep the highway

by fmk on Nov 23, 2008 7:49 AM EST up reply actions

Do Belgian Beers come in miniatures?

by Monty. on Nov 23, 2008 8:28 AM EST up reply actions

Miniatures I don’t think. But most of the bottles are pretty small, aren’t they? But I thought Brad was supposed to be up to the task of skulling back the pints too. And this was only five glasses – that’s only two and a half pints where I come from. So much for Brad being bestest over short distances.

I’m willing to bet that in the comparable event from last year’s training camp young Dan Martin didn’t let this country’s fine drinking heritage down.

pounding along in three ratios like a sonata
like a Ritter with pommelled scrotum atra cura on the step
Botticelli from the fork down pestling the transmission
tires bleeding voiding zeep the highway

by fmk on Nov 23, 2008 2:15 PM EST up reply actions

you're right, he does

it’s Meier :) he does an amazing job at keeping his blog up-to-date…

by nicknorco on Nov 23, 2008 11:22 AM EST up reply actions

Luckily for Wiggins

running around naked in Boulder isn’t such an uncommon thing, and probably got less attention then it would have somewhere else. But this team needs to stop being so freakin awesome, they are making all the other teams look like a bunch of uptight pricks. :)

"If you go (with a break), you can either win or not win. If you don't go for it, you definitely won't win."
~ Jens Voigt

by Phil H. on Nov 23, 2008 11:52 AM EST up reply actions

Zomegnan

is fucked. If he’s going to exclude riders who dope, then he has to start with Basso. Which he can’t do, and if he doesn’t then you have a ridiculous double standard. Game over.

Larger question: Are we supposed to exclude ex-dopers when their ban is up? I’m thinking no. Obviously nobody thinks David Millar needs to be stopped, but you get a different response when the subject is Hamilton or Basso. What’s the difference, their level of spoken contrition? Perhaps, but words aren’t a very reliable indicator of anything. Once more, we’re asked to look into the riders’ hearts to determine if they’re worthy of reentry, which we can’t do. The only reliable, consistent answer to “how long should a guy be punished for doping” is the punishment handed down by his federation, and whatever the UCI decrees. So when it’s up, well, I guess you’re back in.

CQRanking.com, you complete me.

by Chris Fontecchio on Nov 23, 2008 10:34 AM EST reply actions

Basso

was never convicted of a doping violation, unlike, say Hamilton or Vino. Sure, it is a ridiculous double standard, but that didn’t stop ASO from excluding the entire Astana squad from last year’s Tour, yet still allowed Rabobank to ride. Ass backwards thinking has always been the norm in this sport, why should this year be any different.

I’m not supporting Z’s position, but I just don’t think his comments were directed at Basso.

Ultimately, I agree with you. Once a rider has served their time, then they should be free to return. Case closed.

by The Team Chef on Nov 23, 2008 10:59 AM EST up reply actions

I think you’ll find Torri called what Basso did a doping violation.

pounding along in three ratios like a sonata
like a Ritter with pommelled scrotum atra cura on the step
Botticelli from the fork down pestling the transmission
tires bleeding voiding zeep the highway

by fmk on Nov 23, 2008 11:27 AM EST up reply actions

I'm not defending Basso

but he was suspended for his involvement in the Puerto ring, not for a positive in a doping control. That may make little difference to you, me, or Torri – another doper got busted, and was suspended for his “crimes.”

In the context of Z’s statement it makes a world of difference, as he was very careful to suggest that only those convicted of doping infractions would face possible exclusion from the Giro. Again, this would not apply to Basso. He will ride.

by The Team Chef on Nov 23, 2008 12:08 PM EST up reply actions

Speaking of doping...

This doesn’t really belong here, but I’m not clever enough to come up with 75 words to say Kohl banned for two years. Not a lot of details out there yet—maybe somebody can do a proper post once there is.

by majope on Nov 24, 2008 8:00 AM EST reply actions

He testified for 2 hours and 40 minutes!

I wonder what he said….all the gritty details I suppose, and some names maybe? A nice tale about how he and Schumi shared it in their room? Ricco’s off to face criminal charges in France as well. They could chose to imprison him for 3 years!

by Albertina on Nov 24, 2008 9:28 AM EST up reply actions