Keeping a little perspective

by Hons on May 7, 2009 1:30 PM EDT

I know that we were all pretty pissed off with the recent revelations that Tintin and SS (oh wait, we knew that one already) are dirty SOB's. So I wanted to step back and put some perspective on the situation.

Yes, there are dopers in cycling, yes they are cheats, yes they are stealing the wins, podium pride, $$ and kisses from our favourite cyclists who are of course not doping. And yes, it breaks our hearts when we find out that one of our favourites was juiced.

However, we also have a sport that gives a damn. I realized this while reading about the latest busted doper in MLB. Let's draw some comparisons

Length of suspension:

MLB

First positive test result: 50 game suspension
Second positive test result: 100 game suspension
Third positive test result: lifetime ban

Cycling

First positive: 2 years
Second positive: lifetime [?? This is what I recall...could be wrong]

Frequency of testing:

MBL

"I do want to say one other thing; I've taken and passed about 15 drug tests over the past five seasons." ~ Manny Ramirez
all players will be randomly selected for testing at unannounced times for steroids at least once.

Cycling

What's Lances twitter count up to now...25?
I found some data on CVV and Millar - in a 6mo period last year (Nov-April), CVV received 13 tests, Millar 16.
Even the lowliest domestique will receive a half dozen tests per year just from the UCI

And the ultimate kicker for me:

$$$:

MLB

[Manny Ramirez] will lose about one-third of his $25-million (U.S.) salary

Cycling

Manny Ramirez's salary would fund an entire pro cycling team.
The amount Manny Ramirez is losing from this suspension would probably fund a continental team.

So putting aside the inefficiencies of the UCI, the sometimes political shenanigans of the national federations and the lame excuses of the busted riders...

We have a sport that is absolutely beautiful to watch, both for the scenery, and the athletic and tactical prowess of the cyclists. And when it comes down to it, our sport actually does care about the 'purity' of its competitions. Is it perfect in its execution...hell no. But it tries.

Can the Giro start now please?

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Comments

Great

now Dan goes and posts the exact same thing, but with more swearing, and everyone goes there to post [/pout]

"Never swing a small stick. " Andy Hampsten

by Hons on May 7, 2009 1:57 PM EDT reply actions

Awwww...if it helps, your stats are better. :-)

You need to do this race two or three times before you can win, despite what Cunego showed us last year: winning in his first try--Frank Schleck, on Amstel Gold

by majope on May 7, 2009 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Sorry, Hons.

I honestly didn’t see your post til just now.

O lactic acid, where is thy sting?

by swells on May 7, 2009 2:03 PM EDT reply actions

Crashdan’s post is on the juice, that’s why it’s winning.

by ant1 on May 7, 2009 2:10 PM EDT reply actions

hehe

by plinytheelder on May 7, 2009 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions

I'll post here too, just to help you out Hons.

I went to my first professional baseball game last Wednesday in SF.

We tailgated, then I watched Tim Lincecum strike out a load of Dodgers. It was fun, but that just might be the alcohol talking.

I know a guy who plays pro-baseball and he told me they call him up randomly and say, "We need you to drop off a urine sample in the next week." He got kicked out of a NCAA program for smoking pot and still uses but probably not PED style. They might as well not even be drug testing these guys. It’s a joke.

by brunopitton on May 7, 2009 3:37 PM EDT reply actions

Hahahah

my first pity post. Nice

"Never swing a small stick. " Andy Hampsten

by Hons on May 7, 2009 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions

To support you! On my last 3 post I have 11 commets in total!

But about the baseball and other American sports.. Think there are a lot dopers arround.. Topsport is dope.. The one can’t live with the other.. (That’s not totally true)

Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Franzoi wins Parijs-Roubaix and I win a date with the VDS of Team Txirrindulariak..

by Frinking on May 7, 2009 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Look at the length of the schedule

MLB plays what . . . every other day of the week for 6 months or so? Granted, it’s not an aerobically challenging game, but all of the travel, etc. lends itself to doping just like concert tours do for rock stars.

But if you think that NFL and MLB are doping havens . . . consider the athletic demands of the NBA . . . consider the schedule . . . and tell me what you see.

by R Mc on May 8, 2009 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions