Armstrong charged and banned

[PaulB]

Thanks for posting that Paul, I'm going to get a 2nd hand copy to read.

Interesting that you say EPO was "green lighted". I didn't know that. I knew there was a period of time when it was used extensively without being specifically 'red lighted' but I must admit I'd assumed it was always a no-no, outed as performance enhancing or at least not in the spirit.

I think it's one of the most interesting and illuminating things in this excellent book. If I remember it all correctly (it is some time since I read it, but I did read it twice), the haematocrit level was set at below 50%. As haematocrit is naturally produced, there will be large discrepancies in individuals' levels so it was not easy to define a 'normal' level. It shows how a well-prepared rider will show up and can show up, is EXPECTED to show up on the start line of a major stage race with a haematocrit level up around the 45-48% mark and this can be naturally occurring. However, each day of hard riding will deplete the haematocrit level until by the end of week two, it will be around 30-35% with a naturally occurring drop off in performance. Once EPO came on the scene, the teams knew that they now had a way to 'repair' the decrease and provided the levels remained under the legal limit, they took it as a green light to administer it up to the required level.

So it was used on the riders but this had calamitous side effects. Young riders in Belgium and Holland, were dying in their sleep in alarmingly high numbers. The increase in EPO thickened the blood which could cause blockages and heart attacks when the pulse slowed down during sleep. The tour riders would have the EPO administered, some blood taken and centrifuged (it's funny how so many teams felt the need to travel with a centrifuge) so that the haematocrit level could be determined. If too high, lots of water and extra cycling training was prescribed and they were often woken during the night to train on static bikes set up in their rooms to prevent cardiac arrest occurring during too deep sleep. It was only the discovery of a test that could determine naturally occurring haematocrit from synthetic haematocrit that called a halt on the EPO injections.

So the book asks, since so many, many riders were caught using EPO and other illegal substances, how is it that Lance Armstrong, assisted by his totally discredited advisor, Michelle Ferrari, was so much better than them?

 

[yello]

IOnce EPO came on the scene, the teams knew that they now had a way to 'repair' the decrease and provided the levels remained under the legal limit, they took it as a green light to administer it up to the required level.

Ah, okay. That's slightly different and I was aware of that. (Not that some riders respected the 50% limit!) From your original statement, I thought you were saying the use of EPO was officially approved.

 

[PaulB]

Ah, okay. That's slightly different and I was aware of that. (Not that some riders respected the 50% limit!) From your original statement, I thought you were saying the use of EPO was officially approved.

Aye, you're correct. It did read that way so I've done a bit of back-peddling to try and clarify that so it makes marginally more sense to my hungover brain.

 

[yello]

Next step, now Lance has responded to the USADA charges, is a case review by an independent board. The board comprises medical, legal and technical expertise (whatever the latter one is!) and will decide whether there is sufficient grounds to proceed. The charges are dead in the water if they say no. If yes, USADA could be filing charges as early as next week. Then the real fun would begin.

I'd not be surprised if we now see a flurry of activity in the public arena as Armstrong's PR and legal people try to mass public support. Clearly, they want the review board to say 'no' and will use all means available to influence the decision. Equally, I'm sure behind-the-scenes, 'off the record' phone calls will be made too - it's only to be expected.

 

[david k]

could be a circus! well even more of a circus, not sure its helping cycling either way

 

[just jim]

It's helping cycling already. Apart from all the fanboy paroxysms. That's not helping, though to be expected.

 

[just jim]

In a much more reflective frame of mind is "the look" recipient Ullrich who stands to gain some titles when the gears start turning.
"I get the developments but do not follow it" comes from a man who seems to know much more than he cares to admit.

 

[raindog]

"I get the developments but do not follow it" comes from a man who seems to know much more than he cares to admit.

about his own doping you mean?

 

[just jim]

Yes, at the heart of it. I was always interested in those miraculous transformations after his pre-season pie eating. And if he spilled the baked beans it would provide another layer of context to current events.

 

[fozy tornip]

.. his pre-season pie eating.

I've heard it suggested that Ullrich's supposed fondness for Black Forest Gateau is one of those myths with which some cycling fans comfort themselves, and that the likelier explanation was closed season steroid use. To increase power. Bloats you, apparently.

 

[lukesdad]

I've heard it suggested that Ullrich's supposed fondness for Black Forest Gateau is one of those myths with which some cycling fans comfort themselves, and that the likelier explanation was closed season steroid use. To increase power. Bloats you, apparently.

I think it might be more his fondness for nightclubs

 

[raindog]

I've heard it suggested that Ullrich's supposed fondness for Black Forest Gateau is one of those myths with which some cycling fans comfort themselves, and that the likelier explanation was closed season steroid use. To increase power. Bloats you, apparently.

I wouldn't be too sure about that. Likes his cake and beer does Jan.

 

[Crankarm]

There would be some merit in having a forum for just LA given that he figures so frequently as a topic for discussion and that each thread is longer than War and Peace.

 

[raindog]

It could be a sub-section of the helmet forum.

 

[yello]

Heaven forbid a topic being popular eh? Hardly surprising though given the personality and the topic.