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The Gossip Page

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Extendo-Dance Mix Edition.

What a lovely vacation we had, but all good things must come to an end. So here we are, another day, another Gossip Page. Gather round, my friends, and join in the feast. There's plenty to go around. We even brought a nice Barolo. For what better way to celebrate a new Italian World Champion? Sadly, the Gossip Headquarters budget could not extend to a Brunello. We'll strive mightily to survive this small set-back.

Basta, with this whining, you say, give us the Gossip!

Star-divide

We begin in Italia today, with the new World Champion Alessandro Ballan. Ballan, who comes from Castelfranco Veneto, said he did not expect to win in Varese, but that "Bettini left the way open for the three of us." He is a "great man and a grand champion," said Ballan of Bettini. Ballan hopes to ride next year's 100 anniversary Giro in the rainbow jersey.

What's the new world champion really like? Ballan likes a good glass of wine and moto-cross, which he only does in the winter when he cannot ride the bike. He claims that motocross helps him handle the bike on the cobbles and acclimate to the vibration. The new world champion wears a size small jersey and small bibs, though he gets a custom job with an extra 4 cm in the legs. Shoe size? 44. There. Now you can't say you never learned anything useful from the Gossip. Joaquim Rodriguez is a fan. The Spanish rider, who made the final break, confided to Gazzetta dello Sport that after covering the incessant attacks of Rebellin, Cunego and Ballan, he decided to let Ballan's final move go. "In the end, I let Ballan go, of the three, he is the nicest," said the Spaniard. Eat your heart out, Damiano and Davide.

Though visibly upset at the finish, second-place Damiano Cunego called it "a phenomenal day." Like Ballan, he paid tribute to the retiring Bettini, saying that the two-time world champion had ridden "a great career." Cunego said he was sorry that Bettini "would no longer be in the bunch." For his own part, Cunego said that his silver medal had "meant a lot to him," and that he had "many mondiali ahead." Indeed, next year's course in Medrisio, Switzerland should suit Cunego as well, if not better, than this year. Buck up little camper, don't be sad! In a scoreboard moment, Cunego defended Ballerini's decision to select him, rather than Danilo Diluca, whom some had favored. Franco's choice has been confirmed by the results, he said. "Today we have demonstrated that we Italians, when we are in good condition, ride the best of all," he concluded. And yes, Damiano, we promise, we've forgotten all about that Tour thing.

On the subject of forgetting, Tom Boonen would like to forget all about Varese. The former world champion had nothing good to say about the Belgian team's riding in the finale of Sunday's road race. He said that the team had agreed to ride for him before the start. "I had the sensations like I'd never had before," he said. Are you sure that was the bike race, Tom? In the final lap, rather than riding for him, his team-mates instead attacked, he claimed. "They should have stayed with me," he said. Without their support, he had no chance in winning. Indeed, Oscar Freire reportedly asked Boonen what his team was doing. Freire wanted the Belgians to chase, natch. No luck for the sprinters this time around. Better luck on the Via Roma, kids. In the meantime, Boonen plans to ride the Tour of Lombardia. Just to see what it's like.

Maxime Monfort will ride for the next two seasons for Team Columbia. He joins an exodus from Cofidis, which includes Nick Nuyens (Rabobank), Staf Scheirlinckx (Silence), Kevin De Weert (QuickStep), and Rik Verbrugghe, who will become a DS at QuickStep. We're beginning to wonder who is left on the roster there at Cofidis.

On the subject of DSing, Bradley McGee will become a DS for Team CSC-Saxo Bank next season. Apparently, unlike Bobby Julich, McGee can multitask. Do you suppose he had to pass a test? Here Bradley, drive the car down this mountain road, answer the phone, hand off a bottle, send a text message, and watch the race on television. Try not to crash. McGee said he was looking forward to the new challenge of managing the team on the road. "Not a bone in my body feels the pull to stay racing," he wrote on his official website. Of his career he said: "I have always remained true to myself, family and supporters. True to the sport and true to my competitors. For this, I am also a little proud. It pushes a smile across my face and warms my belly for what, I have no doubt, will be eternity." McGee also thanked the "many beautiful to the bone people" who have supported his career. Here at the Gossip World Headquarters, we have always been a fan of the Aussie pursuiter, turned prologue winner, turned Giro top ten finisher. We wish him the best of luck with all that multi-tasking stuff.

Is Yaroslav Popovych ending his career? The Belgian press reports that the 28 year old Ukrainian will not continue his career next season. Odd. True? We're not so sure, as no formal announcement from the rider has yet surfaced. Isn't ISD-Danieli looking for Ukrainian riders? Yes, though no rumors have linked Popovych to the new team. Very mysterious these Belgian press reports some days. Wednesday Update: In a statement issued on Wednesday, Popovych denied reports that he intended to retire from the sport. Though he admitted that he had ridden a poor season, he said he still intended to ride out his contract with Silence-Lotto, a contract that runs two more seasons. "A contract is a contract," he said. Rumor has linked Popovych to both Astana and ISD-Danieli. He confirmed that he has spoken with both, but remains for now, committed to fulfilling his contract with Silence-Lotto.

No mud for Gadret. John Gadret of AG2R had decided not to race cyclo-cross this winter for the first time since 1996. He does plan to go to cyclo-cross worlds to cheer on his team-mates. Winner of the Tour de l'Ain this year, Gadret wants to ride the Giro next year, and consequently needs the winter to prepare for his road racing season. This year also marked the first time Gadret has ridden World Championships on the road for France. Gadret hopes to return to cyclo-cross after a break of two seasons. Gadret withdrew from this year's Tour de France during the first week, citing fatigue. A talented climber at his best, Gadret could find the Giro very much to his liking. No doubt his team management at AG2R are pleased with his decision to focus his energies on the road.

The new French team managed by Stéphane Heulot is growing. Heulot has signed three former Crédit Agricole riders: Jimmy Engoulvent, Julien Simon, and Jean-Marc Marino. Benoit Sinner, currently of Agritubel, will also ride for the new team, as will neo-pros Cyril Bessy and Fabrice Jeandesboz. The team, which Heulot will register at the 3rd division level, counts Vivarte and Sojasun as sponsors so far. Based in Brittany, the team's goal will be to secure an invitation to the Tour de France in 2010. Bonne Chance, M. Heulot!

British rider Jonathan Bellis will turn professional with CSC-Saxo Bank next season. Bellis finished third in last year's U23 World Championship. Focused on the track this year, Bellis reported that Riis's team had supported him throughout the season. "I am happy that they maintained their interest in me," the 20 year old. On the road, Bellis finished third in the U23 national championship in Britain, 2nd in a stage of the Giro della Valle d'Aosta, and 10th in the U23 Ronde van Vlaanderen. He also represented Great Britain in the Olympic road race in Beijing.

Alberto Contador is still looking for a new team. Or, at least his older brother who serves as his agent is. Already CSC-Saxo Bank and Team Columbia have denied any interest in the 2007 Tour winner, who is also the 2008 Giro winner and the 2008 Vuelta winner. Shorter: The guy that wins grand tours lots (TGTWGTL). Anywho, since Contador has one year still on his contract with Astana, any team who might wish to sign him must negotiate a buy-out. Raise your hand if you think Bruyneel will let Contador go easily? No doubt the buy-out clause would be a hefty one, and few teams at this stage of the year can rally up so many euros as all that. Katyusha and Caisse d'Épargne have received the most mention in the rumor mill. We don't dare make any predictions.

The good people at Süddeutsche Zeitung hearts them some Puerto. Puerto, right, I remember now. The doping scandal with all the ridiculous code names. Something about dogs. It's all coming back to me now. The latest SDZ Puerto story broke over Worlds weekend and named Fränk Schleck as the Amigo di Birillo and claimed that the Amigo had paid Fuentes 7000 euro. For services rendered, presumably, though no one seems to know exactly what the Amigo got for his 7000 euro. A trip for two to the Canary Islands? A new bike? Schleck denied having doped, though he did confirm the payment to Fuentes. He will meet with the anti-doping authorities in Luxembourg to discuss matters. Because we can never get enough Puerto, SDZ also reported that Thomas Dekker numbered among the clients of Dr. Fuentes. Anomalous blood cells and Fuentes, oh my! Dekker and his blood cells, anomalous or otherwise, will ride for Silence-Lotto next season. Birillo, busy in his dog house with his new chew toy, could not be reached for comment.

Riccardo Riccò has received a sanction of 20 months for his positive test for CERA at the 2008 Tour de France. The procurator discounted his 30 month sanction — two years for doping, six months for consorting with Dr. Santuccione — because of Riccò's willingness to name Santuccione and his team-mate Leonardo Peipoli in his confession. Riccò can return for the Tour de France in 2010, assuming he finds a team with an invite. CONI is currently preparing the case against Peipoli. Meanwhile, the authorities will also soon announce the sanction for Emmanuelle Sella, positive for CERA in an out of competition test. Sella named his team-mate, Matteo Priamo as his supplier for the drug. Look for CONI to get busy on Priamo pronto.

Surfing the Tsunami. We laden onze woody, met onze borden binnen. On Friday, Pierre Bordry of the LLND in France set off a mackin' wave of speculation in the cycling press. Bordry announced that the French authorities would re-test suspect samples from the recent Tour de France, using a new blood test for CERA, the variant of EPO Riccò made famous. L'Équipe reported that as many as 30 riders could be involved in the latest round of testing. Bordry claimed that the re-testing could well explain a few late decisions to skip the Varese World Championships, though he did not mention any specific names in his statement. "Perhaps there are those who got away, perhaps now we are going to trap them by the ears," he said.

Two days later, Gazzetta dello Sport weighed in. Despite the secrecy Bordry promised the testing process involved, Gazzetta shook loose a few more details. Thirteen riders, including two from the startlist of the Varese road race, could be positive, reported Gazzetta. Key word: Risulterebbero. This, my friends, is the present conditional. The new testing could result in more positive cases. Conditional or no, the Gazzetta story quickly made the rounds. The Dutch press gave us more details, claiming that among the positives were two riders from AG2R, including Valjavec, three riders from Saunier Duval, including Cobo, Piepoli, and Riccò, two riders from Team Columbia, five riders from CSC-Saxo Bank, and two riders from Gerolsteiner. French television also added their bit: Tests for 14 riders outside the Tour would also be re-tested. For those counting at home, that's 30 riders from the Tour and 14 from not-the-Tour. AG2R has subsequently denied that any of their riders are under suspicion. Damsgard has also claimed it unlikely that a CSC-Saxo rider could have used CERA without tripping the internal testing. All of which leaves us... confused. Hopefully, this story will reach its conclusion soon, preferably with named sources and on the record comments. In the meantime, laten we eens gaan surfen nu.

What, the bottle is empty? You drank it all without me? This Gossip gig is a thankless job, I tell ya. Fortunately, I know something you don't know. I have another bottle stashed away just for me. Salute!

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thank god you are back

no offense to the others filling in, but translation around here was sketchy at best….

by humbug1 on Sep 30, 2008 9:48 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

lol, thanks :-)

Glad to know the computers can’t do everything just yet.

by gavia on Sep 30, 2008 10:47 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Buck up little camper?
Oh my!

& thanks for clearing up the verb tenses. So tricky it is to communicate cromulently.

by marian on Sep 30, 2008 9:59 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

ha, you = funny :-)

I own an embarassing number of dictionaries and grammar books.

by gavia on Sep 30, 2008 10:47 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

"In the end, I let Ballan go, of the three, he is the nicest."

 " It pushes a smile across my face and warms my belly…

I just thought those two lines bared repeating. ;-p Thanks Gav

I googled it, it must be true.

by flying dog on Sep 30, 2008 10:07 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

And the Rodriguez quote

Truly interesting, showing the imponderables and unknowables of cycling. He liked Ballan better.

by NE Observer on Sep 30, 2008 11:42 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Could also be translated:

“I have covered every damn move the eyetalians made all day, no way am I ditching my one chance to win by going after the third-ranked azzurri in the break. Now where the hell is Alejandro anyway?”

Carlos Sastre - Tour de France winner - Born From Jets

by Jens on Oct 1, 2008 2:04 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

haha priceless

Some say the best things in life, are one the inside.

by Frinking on Oct 1, 2008 9:10 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

lol, yeah

Too funny :-)

Valverde is a hotty, but he seems to have the tatical sense of a rock.

by gavia on Oct 1, 2008 11:35 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Oh I wasn't aware you were in the 'Valverde is hot' camp. Excellent.

I don’t mind popping off the Murcia and having a word with him about his tactics. I’ll even give him my advice for free. ;-)

by Albertina on Oct 1, 2008 12:36 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Now that we've determined

that a dog could win the TdF, is there any gossip as to whether Birillo intends to ride the Tour next year?

by Katiek on Sep 30, 2008 10:52 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

One more year...

…for Contador at Astana. The orginial contract was for two years.

by Steno on Sep 30, 2008 11:56 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Nope, I was wrong...

Hey, gavia, Johan Bruyneel says in the press release posted today at the Astana website that Contador’s contract does last through 2010. As you said.

You’re always right. How does that feel?

by Steno on Oct 2, 2008 9:35 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

lol

I thought I wasn’t making that up, but well, I’m not always right :-)

I need y’all to keep me on top of things, for sure.

by gavia on Oct 2, 2008 11:42 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Cofidis exits

also include Frank Hoj who’s off to CSC-Saxo Bank-IT Factory (thought I’d put all names in there to cover :) )

Thoughts on the Bordry comment – some of those who didn’t go had been planning not to for a while and others where leaving it till they completed the race they were in pre-Varese to see how they felt – whilst there may be some truth in his comments obviously, there could easily also be totally innocent explanations and his ‘claim’ does nothing but stir things up, which brings us to…

the retests – I’ve been uncomforable with all this naming of names – and not just because some of them come from the team I support – more it’s a case of thinking that the press need to be incredibly careful, because whilst some of them are adding 2 plus 2 and getting 5, the fact remains that nothing has been proven as yet. Should those names be proved as cheaters, then by all means go after them from here to kingdom come, but if they are cleared then there are some serious apologies owed.

But away from all that, another brilliant Gossip Page gavia, what would we do without you!

by Gemma on Oct 1, 2008 2:40 AM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

but it's all about stirring up the rumors ;-)

The press is of course speculating. In a perfect world, they would not do so. But eh, it is what it is. The confirmed positives will come later this week – between Friday and Monday, reportedly – and the speculation will be largely forgotten.

LOL, CSC-Saxo Bank-IT Factory. Such a mouth full. And it would definitely not fit on Andy Schleck’s jersey ;-)

by gavia on Oct 1, 2008 11:40 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Indeed

And I’m putting in the suggestion that the name gets shortened to Sexy-IT

by Gemma on Oct 1, 2008 11:55 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Hey now girl...

… I resemble that remark. And yes… yes we do.

Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc.

by crashdan on Oct 1, 2008 9:13 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Present company excepted of course!

Actually, we did have a devastatingly handsome Italian IT chap here a while back, which added a little interest to working life. I must clearly think harder before writing such things!

by Albertina on Oct 2, 2008 5:35 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

There was a devestatingly attractive IT manager...

… that worked for the company across the hallway from us… a female no less. Females don’t seem to be too terribly interested in making IT a career let along the cute ones. I once saw a perky blond driving a jeep with a “BOFH” and a “There’s no place like 127.0.0.1” bumpersticker…. I almost rode the Triumph into a lake.

Just as well, I couldn’t imagine how boring it would be dating someone that did the same thing as me.

Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc.

by crashdan on Oct 2, 2008 10:45 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I can almost assure you...

… that you don’t understand those bumper stickers :)

Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc.

by crashdan on Oct 2, 2008 10:50 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

BOFH = Bastard Operator from Hell

from The Register… and “There’s no place like 127.0.0.1” is a spoof on “There’s no place like home”. 127.0.0.1 is the designated loopback address for any IP networking device so, if you can open up a console on it, and you can ping that address, that means that IP is, in some fashion, functioning on that device. It is also sometimes referred to as “localhost” (mostly in the Windows community) or the “home” address.

See… IT people aren’t only sexy… we have a stunning sense of humor too… I can hear everyone’s laughter from here…

Wait… y’all aren’t laughing with me are you…

Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc.

by crashdan on Oct 2, 2008 5:46 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Sadly I understood both of those

And I know what Sailor Moon cosplay means. Thank god I don’t have my own supply of centaur and unicorn piccies.

by Monty. on Oct 2, 2008 6:01 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

the words

seem like English, but they don’t make any sense. . . I’m so confused. . . .

by Katiek on Oct 2, 2008 9:10 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

lol, right there with ya

gav <—- does not speak ’puter

by gavia on Oct 3, 2008 12:02 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

01001001011101000010011101110011001000000110111001101111011101000010000001110100011010000110000101110100001000000110100001100001011100100110010000101110

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 Oct 3, 2008 2:00 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Nice stuff

I really wonder what’s going on at Cofidis. And even odder, no-one seems to be commenting on all these goings without comings. At least no-one who might have even the teeniest bit of inside info.

And one more item, apparently the post mortem on Bruno Neves has attributed his death to natural causes. No traces of doping products were found in his body. The Portuguese papers have fuller details, if anyone can translate. His family seem relieved as they have been trying to prove “que o Bruno era um grande atleta sem ter de recorrer ao doping,” “that Bruno was a great athlete without need(?) for recourse to doping.” It still doesn’t explain all the dodgy kit that his team had at their base.

by Monty. on Oct 1, 2008 7:00 AM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

fans in Portugal

are still waiting for conclusions from that raid!!

people are revolted with federation and CNAD (portuguese antidoping) for suspend 9 persons in MAy and until now no more explanation were given. LA MSS are banned from every national races (TdPortugal inclued) and they did only the national championship with two riders, and one or two races in Spain.

The theory of someone try to end the best team in Portugal prevails.

by semprenaroda on Oct 1, 2008 8:26 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

in that article

says that he dead of natural causes, acute respiratory failure, and next cardiac arrhythmia. Seems the dead was before the fall, but not sure. nothing in is blood, only a 2mg of paraceptamol.

by semprenaroda on Oct 1, 2008 8:32 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I though I heard Cofidis

would make a step back. A Pro-Continental squad for them next but can’t guarentee it.

Some say the best things in life, are one the inside.

by Frinking on Oct 1, 2008 9:14 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yes, Pro conti,

with fewer riders and targetting a more specific french calender.

Carlos Sastre - Tour de France winner - Born From Jets

by Jens on Oct 1, 2008 10:20 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

ah, voilà

I missed that tidbit. I wondered at the exodus of non-French riders. All is claro.

by gavia on Oct 1, 2008 11:41 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

But is there now any such thing as a pro tour team...?

My head hurts just trying to keep up with all this stuff.

by Albertina on Oct 1, 2008 12:38 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

nah

What matters is not the label thingy, but more that they’ve decided to shift to a French-centered calender. For the non-French riders, that’s not very appealing. It also means that the sponsorship commitment is lower and they’re planning a smaller roster. Better to go elseswhere, if you can.

by gavia on Oct 1, 2008 12:46 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yeah there is

Have a look at it:

20-25/01: Tour Down Under (PT)
08-15/03: Parijs-Nice (HM)
11-17/03: Tirreno-Adriatico (HM)
21/03: Milaan-Sanremo (HM)
05/04: Ronde van Vlaanderen (PT)
06-11/04: Ronde van Baskenland (PT)
08/04: Gent-Wevelgem (PT)
12/04: Parijs-Roubaix (HM)
19/04: Amstel Gold Race (PT)
22/04: Waalse Pijl (HM)
26/04: Luik-Bastenaken-Luik (HM)
28/04-03/05: Ronde van Romandië (PT)
09/05-31/05: Ronde van Italië (HM)
18/05-24/05: Ronde van Catalonië (PT)
07-14/06: Dauphiné Libéré (PT)
13-21/06: Ronde van Zwitserland (PT)
04-26/07: Tour de France (HM)
01/08: Clasica San Sebastian (PT)
02-08/08: Ronde van Polen (PT)
16/08: Vattenfall Cyclassics Hamburg (PT)
19-26/08: Eneco/Benelux Tour (PT)
23/08: GP Plouay (PT)
29/08-06/09: Ronde van Duitsland (PT)
29/08-20/09: Ronde van Spanje (HM)
17/10: Ronde van Lombardije

Can’t tell the difference between HM and PT an neither can tell you if only PT teams are included. But can tell you. They forgot the race in Russia. They haven’t include that one

Some say the best things in life, are one the inside.

by Frinking on Oct 1, 2008 12:56 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Aah think HM is for ASO.. Why it says HM?

Eeeeh

Some say the best things in life, are one the inside.

by Frinking on Oct 1, 2008 12:57 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

HS = Hors McQuaid

No but seriously, I don’t know what it stands for but it’s UCI + RCS (GT organizers and their “minor” races)

Carlos Sastre - Tour de France winner - Born From Jets

by Jens on Oct 1, 2008 1:01 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

ok thanx

Some say the best things in life, are one the inside.

by Frinking on Oct 1, 2008 1:06 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

HM

It’s the historical calender, isn’t it?

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 Oct 1, 2008 4:34 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Because I like myself so much..

The Russia thing is in may, that thing between Febraurie and March. Suposed tobe 5 or 6 days and is called Big price of Sotsji. Maybe they also include a race in China

Some say the best things in life, are one the inside.

by Frinking on Oct 1, 2008 1:05 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That does make sense

I wonder where that phone number stamped across their chests leads if you dial it from all the other countries they race in now.

by Monty. on Oct 1, 2008 1:38 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The Schleck Story

According to the Luxembourg press, Schlecky paid a visit today to the Luxembourg anti-doping authorities to explain the 7000 euro payment to Fuentes.

The spokesguy (or girl) for the Luxembourg federation will reportedly give a brief statement this evening at 19.45 Lux time.

by gavia on Oct 1, 2008 1:28 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

darn, here’s the story, but no pics. I wanted to compare how Frank dresses for visiting the authorites to the recent Italian fashion parade. It’s so hard to find the right clothing to say innocent and confident but not “tranquillo”

by Katiek on Oct 1, 2008 2:21 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

yep

no deets yet. i forgot the linky in my previous. d’oh.

by gavia on Oct 1, 2008 2:38 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

thanks

Yes, Schlecky will pay a visit to the UCI tomorrow to answer the same questions. The spokesguy for the Lux Fed said there was nothing to say to the public. “He answered our questions.” Ha! Love that non-statement statement. Schlecky said he’d never doped. We still don’t know what the 7000 euro bought him. No grounds for criminal charges in Lux.

by gavia on Oct 1, 2008 5:28 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

seriously what can 7000 buy?

or was it a … what is it called for lawyers?

by lyne on Oct 1, 2008 6:06 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

retainer?

"If writing too much about the Classics is wrong, I don't want to be right."

by Chris... on Oct 1, 2008 6:14 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

lol

could be. Either there were more money transfers, or Schlecky only considered the services of Fuentes. In the other cases, there were waaay more euros involved.

by gavia on Oct 1, 2008 6:53 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Interesting that he'll answer to the UCI as well.

Perhaps this is so the UCI can decide whether to appeal to CAS from what appears to be a whitewash-in-the-making by the Luxembourg ADA.

If the cyclingnews story is accurate, it sounds like the ADA found that Schleck did pay Fuentes almost 7000 euros, but since that’s not punishable under Luxembourg criminal laws, Schleck’s off the hook. I’m not sure the UCI (or CAS) would accept Luxembourg criminal laws as the standard by which doping sanctions are measured.

link

I wonder what Riis’s reaction to this will be. If it’s “he answered my questions,” I’ll be disappointed.

by Tifosa on Oct 1, 2008 6:34 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Not quite clear

The story I saw didn’t say that the Lux ADA had dismissed the case. Only that Schleck met with them, and they had nothing to say publicly. That could mean, we’re not going to do anything. Or, it could mean, we’re not sure what we’re going to do yet. Hard to say.

The 7000 euros, yes, it’s clear that everyone agrees he paid Fuentes for something.

by gavia on Oct 1, 2008 6:52 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The obvious question is what does Lux law saw about sports doping and sporting fraud. If like pre-Puerto Spain, then it’s clear how this’ll be dealt with.

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 Oct 1, 2008 6:55 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Criminal law?

Nothing – They’ve already made it clear that Schlecky will not face criminal charges. But it’s unclear what the ADA is going to do, according to the reports in the Lux press.

by gavia on Oct 1, 2008 6:58 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

oooh

And an interview with the Burkert of the SDZ.

auf deutsche

by gavia on Oct 1, 2008 1:32 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

No statements after Schleck hearing

according to feltet.dk the meeting lasted 45 minutes and none of the parties had much to say afterwards. Googletranslate the page, the danish to english is understandable mostly. (i can never make links to translated pages work)

Carlos Sastre - Tour de France winner - Born From Jets

by Jens on Oct 1, 2008 4:20 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I am an ass

Read LittleOldLady’s post above instead. I am an ass.

Carlos Sastre - Tour de France winner - Born From Jets

by Jens on Oct 1, 2008 4:32 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I don't think that I do

I do know some people from Sweden, but no asses I think :-)

by LittleOldLady on Oct 1, 2008 5:14 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Just meant

I am an ass for doubleposting link to info that was available two posts above. (With a link to a more comprehensive article too.)

Carlos Sastre - Tour de France winner - Born From Jets

by Jens on Oct 2, 2008 2:00 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Out of curiosity Jens

how does one say ‘ass’ in Swedish?

"I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass... and I'm all out of bubblegum."

by Drew... on Oct 2, 2008 4:55 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Why Drew, I never pegged you as one of the language buffs on the cafe?

ass/donkey = åsna= [eau-s-na]
 
ass/butt = röv (one of many words) = [r- eehh-v] , (works in Denmark too, you are now multilingual)

Carlos Sastre - Tour de France winner - Born From Jets

by Jens on Oct 2, 2008 2:00 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Excellent. The plan is slowly coming together..............

"I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass... and I'm all out of bubblegum."

by Drew... on Oct 2, 2008 4:40 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

And for some proper, intrusive, irrelevant tabloid journalism

(and thanks to cyclismag)If you’ve ever watched coverage of the Tour or other cycling on France2 then you will be familiar with the oh so smooth, debonair, Gaul about town Gerard Holtz. But I bet you never expected that off-duty superheroes would dress and dance like this (starts about45s in).

by Monty. on Oct 1, 2008 4:37 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Belgian press is bored again, apparently...

Le Soir, a Belgian paper, is reporting that Cance, OGrady and Schlecky are in biiiiiig trouble with the ALFD. No idea how they know this, of course, but twotoebeachy felt the need to repeat the story. So I will too.

by gavia on Oct 1, 2008 5:30 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Hm

Since the source is Belgian, I will not repeat the allegation that Cancellara, O’Grady and Schleck have been caught doping. Repeat, I will not repeat …

"If writing too much about the Classics is wrong, I don't want to be right."

by Chris... on Oct 1, 2008 6:16 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

lol

I was sorta being sarcastic. Eh, it all means nothing until the official unveiling.

by gavia on Oct 1, 2008 6:51 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Nothing? Dang, and I was sooo gettin ready for a lynchin. Spil sport :(

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 Oct 1, 2008 6:53 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

lol

well, I suppose it means that the Belgian press is bored. But otherwise? Not so much.

by gavia on Oct 1, 2008 6:55 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I wish it was Friday already and we could lynch someone. All 44 positives are going to be announced Friday, followed by a ritual lynching in the AFLD’s carpark.

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 Oct 1, 2008 6:58 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

well i just hope they choose the rider to be ritually lynched by setting up phone lines like in the eurovision and letting all of europe choose which of the 44 junkies is going to be strung up. that’d make cool tv.

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 Oct 1, 2008 7:08 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

lol

so we could just vote a few off the island? this could be fun. but really, you have to give us north americans a phone line too. we wouldn’t want to be left out of the party.

by gavia on Oct 1, 2008 9:52 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

French I’m A Celebrity star Richard Virenque could present the show. We could call it Devil Take The Hindmost, or some such nonsense.

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 Oct 2, 2008 5:41 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Couldn't we

retroactively lynch Virenque too? You could call the show “The Devil’s in the Details.”

"I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass... and I'm all out of bubblegum."

by Drew... on Oct 2, 2008 6:12 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Ok, so we flex the format and have a different junkie host the show each week, with the twist being that the host gets kilt during the boring bit where we’re waiting for the phone votes to be counted so we can decide which current rider is to be kynched.

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 Oct 2, 2008 6:35 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I am 100% behind this idea

"I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass... and I'm all out of bubblegum."

by Drew... on Oct 2, 2008 6:43 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

OK, so I think the format is this. We’ve got the 44 junkies the AFLD have just caught. We put them on bikes in a vélodrome and make them go round and round and round. The longer it goes on, the more sttrung out they become. We’ve got a celebrity host – Virenque the first week – who tells us stories about each rider and their prodigious intake of junk, mocking them if that falls below his own glorious intake. 40 mins in, the riders sprint for the line and the race ends. Then we open the phone lines for 15 mins and the public vote who they most want to see lynched. Somehow this is turned into time penalties, so that the rider who actually finsihes the race fastest could end up being pushed into last place by the phone voting. While this bit is being done, we lynch Virenque. Then some podium girls announce the winners and losers and we lynch the guy in last place. Credits. We start next week with 43 junkies and a new celebrity host.

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 Oct 2, 2008 7:16 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I like your style!

Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc.

by crashdan on Oct 2, 2008 10:47 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I came to the conclusion the Belgian press was bored...

a bit earlier today when one of the stories at sportwereld was that Tommeke is moving back from Monaco to Belgium to live with girlfriend Lore again …

by guidemd on Oct 1, 2008 10:16 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

lol, yeah

And Gilbert is moving to Monaco. Yes, this is very vital news. I think they’ve completely lost it.

by gavia on Oct 1, 2008 10:21 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Aaaah, Tom and Lore. Sweet.

And clearly very important for us to know. Perhaps Phillipe is taking over Tom’s pad?

by Albertina on Oct 2, 2008 8:34 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

But what does Tom's mom have to say on the topic?

Anyone checked out her blog in a while?

Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc.

by crashdan on Oct 2, 2008 10:48 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Is he moving back home

so he can be closer to Lore’s high school graduation…….in 2010?

"I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass... and I'm all out of bubblegum."

by Drew... on Oct 2, 2008 11:15 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

no, Lore isn't the 16 yr old

Tommeke must have gone for the 16 year old out of heartbreak and despair during the time that he and Lore had broken up, but Lore has been around for a while and would be around Boonen’s age.

(googled to double-check, first thing that popped up was this, 2nd story down from CN in April 2005 is a brief bit about her specifically).

by guidemd on Oct 2, 2008 12:21 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Lore's 24 I think, or maybe 25 by now.

I’m ashamed that I actually know such things!

by Albertina on Oct 2, 2008 7:15 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Meanwhile

Cancellara himself has released a statement re the original Le Soir story where he denies the allegation and says that he’s calm about the retesting
http://www.fabiancancellara.ch/ch/cancellara/news/2008/10/01/5868800000.html

by Gemma on Oct 2, 2008 3:03 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

calm

that sounds better than tranquillo

by Katiek on Oct 2, 2008 9:45 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

lol

I wonder how it relates to sereno.

by gavia on Oct 2, 2008 11:44 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Lol, don't know

but it looks like Cancellara is getting tired of all the questions and has announced he’ll hold a press conference once the results are out in order to answer all the questions once and for all so he can have some peace (at least that’s the gist I’m getting):
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=da&u=http://www.feltet.dk/&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=1&ct=result&prev=/search3Fq3Dfeltet2Bdk26hl3Den26sa%3DG

So he’s either delusional (if he’s guilty) or feels very sure that he has nothing to worry about – time will tell which it is… I’m obviously hopeing it’s the second option!

by Gemma on Oct 2, 2008 2:28 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

And by delusional

I mean that if he is guilty he certainly seems to have convinced himself he isn’t – he didn’t have to say anything the last couple of days, instead he could have kept quiet till the results came out..

Gah, don’t think I’m explaining myself well but I know what I mean even if no-one else does! :)

So yeah the whole willingly putting himself in front of the press is an interesting choice – if he’s as innocent as he insists he is then it seems he wants to try and draw a line under the whole thing and get on and spend some quiet time with his family, if he’s guilty then, well, it’ll sure be an ‘interesting’ time!

by Gemma on Oct 2, 2008 2:40 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

if he is guilty he certainly seems to have convinced himself he isn’t

That was what really annoyed me about cycling pre Puerto. The way these guys were able to believe they weren’t breaking the rules, because the rules had quietly been rewritten. For sure, the doping itself annoyed me no end, but it was way these guys hid that hurt even more. They seemed to genuinely believe that if it hadn’t been detected by the dope controls, then it wasn’t a drug. Or that if it wasn’t then on the UCI’s banned list then it wasn’t a drug (Pedro Delgado). Or that if it had been found by a dope control, that it didn’t count if it can be excused by the use of a backdated prescription for a saddle-sore cream (Armstrong) or an asthma inhaler (Miguel Indurain). Or that the drugs found in their possession were for their wife, their grandmother or their mother-in-law or their dog. Or that, all other excuses failing, there was an error in the test (Marco Pantani).

Things do seem to have changed though, despite one obvious throwback to the bad ol days.

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 Oct 2, 2008 2:52 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

this was a press release written by a media guy

not sure how much Cancellara was involved in it.

by lyne on Oct 2, 2008 2:54 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

si...

I figured. Which means either the press conference is to re-affirm his innocence when the tests turn up negative or it is to try to explain away the positives he knows are coming.

Tomorrow, we should know a tad more.

by gavia on Oct 2, 2008 4:15 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

strive mightily

wipes tear you didn’t split your infinitives… good girl! :)

Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc.

by crashdan on Oct 1, 2008 9:17 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

ack...

except you missed a macker of a misplaced modifier in heulot section. gaaaaah.

fix tomorrow.

by gavia on Oct 1, 2008 10:56 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

If anybody cares

it’s perfectly okay to split infinitives in English. The rule against it was one of those artificial impositions by 18th-century grammarians who were trying to model English after Latin, where you can’t split infinitives because they’re one word.

Okay, okay—I’m as bored as a Belgian sportswriter. But somebody might be interested.

by majope on Oct 2, 2008 7:06 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I know who'd be interested...

… Conan the Grammarian.

Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc.

by crashdan on Oct 2, 2008 10:48 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

matter of taste, really

I prefer them unsplit, unless it would result in some hideous barbarity.

lol, and yeah, I think we’re all as bored as Belgian sportswriters ;-)

by gavia on Oct 2, 2008 11:47 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

bored? bored?

that might explain googling for centaur…

scary world out there

by lyne on Oct 2, 2008 6:24 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

or, maybe not necessarily bored

just avoiding, if ya know what i mean ;-)

by gavia on Oct 3, 2008 12:03 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Bruyneel: Contador isn't going anywhere

From L’Equipe:
Bruyneel says he’s read that other teams are interested in Bert, but that Contador insisted on a three-year contract that runs until 2010, and he ain’t getting out of it.

He also says the strongest rider will lead the team, “whatever his name or past.”

by majope on Oct 2, 2008 7:21 AM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

A preparation for possible future negotiations

He’s telling AC and interested teams that it is going to cost them big bucks to buy out AC. I wouldn’t mind seeing AC forced to stay and deciding to ride like the Popo. I’d love to see the look on Lanes face when AC sits up an waves goodbye as soon as the road tilts upwards in France . I might like it even more if they go Telekom on each other though.

But I’m not an Astana-fan.

Carlos Sastre - Tour de France winner - Born From Jets

by Jens on Oct 2, 2008 9:05 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Was thinking the exact opposite - AC just slowly rides away from everyone, incuding his team.

And he could tell the assembled press afterwards “the team gave me the green light to go on my own if Lance didn’t have the legs, and clearly he didn’t.” Plus he could always say Johan’s instructions were lost in translation.

Oh please let this happen…….

"I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass... and I'm all out of bubblegum."

by Drew... on Oct 2, 2008 11:18 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

lol!

ok, i like this scenario too. lost in translation… heeheehee…

by nickel17 on Oct 2, 2008 11:31 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

lol, yep

Oh, yeah? You want my rider? Well, you’re going to have to pay for him. And pay big.

I think a Telekom scenario would be the most entertaining possibility.

by gavia on Oct 2, 2008 11:48 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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