Doping git thread

[smutchin]

I got the impression that the UCI wanted to withhold Astana's licence last year but there must have been legal or procedural rules that prevented them simply dropping them.

Haven't read the INRNG piece yet so this all may be covered there, but I would say that the noises Cookson has been making over the last few months with regard to this and other matters seem to suggest that he's gone about it in entirely the correct way, being extremely thorough and making sure the procedure is followed to the letter. Some have criticised him for not acting sooner but it's to his credit if he has made sure the case is absolutely watertight before making a final decision and statement (and thereby ensure we don't get a repeat of the Katusha debacle).

 

[Stonechat]

Apparently the licence commission could relegate the to pro conti status or refuse a licence all together

Just been reading Tyler Hamilton's book, quite an eye opener

 

[smutchin]

Just read the INRNG piece. Love the pic of 'Cookson the Terminator'.

 

[tug benson]

So, have the conspiracy theorists in the Clinic already started to claim that Cookson is banning Froome's competition? If not...

the nutters over there think this will be bad for cycling, sponsors will walk away and so on...that place of all places should be happy with todays news...but they are not.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

about time, but what will happen to Nibs?

Share your thoughts here:
http://theraceradio.com/298/

 

[raindog]

I went with "Random Italian team"

 

[rich p]

It makes the tits who were criticising Cookson for not shooting from the hip look a bit stupid.
Not least, Armstrong and fat Pat.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

It makes the tits who were criticising Cookson for not shooting from the hip look a bit stupid.
Not least, Armstrong and fat Pat.

And me.

 

[rich p]

And me.

Well, that goes without saying!

 

[SWSteve]

So they'll be riding Omloop het Newsblad this weekend? It's only once the Licencing Commission decide to withdraw their licence they have to hang up their SRMs, right?

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

Just spotted that it's Astana's Press Officer's birthday today

Happy Birthday fella...

 

[Incontinentia Buttocks]

Just spotted that it's Astana's Press Officer's birthday today

Happy Birthday fella...

Cue scouse accent," calm down calm down".

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

^^^^''See these fingers, they're now in the hands of our lawyers''

 

[The Couch]

Rumours that Van Avermaet is also being investigated in the Belgian "Ozon-doctor" case
(most likely because of the same baby-vitamin stuff that - potentially - Laurens Sweeck en Tom Meeusen were taking)

 

[Arrowfoot]

Cookson could have shown more leadership and courage rather than get others to do his work for him. Comments about following procedures etc are excuses. Whose procedures - KFC, NHS ??. Its well within UCI remit to put together procedures that serves the needs of Cycling especially after the string of doping cases.

Frankly most people expected Astana not to be given a licence. The reaction on the day it was announced was telling. Cookson himself said that it was the worst day of his life.

Instead of saying the Astana was on it last legs he could showed a bit of backbone by saying that he disagreed with the decision. Imagine Alexander Vinokourov stating that he was suspending Astana Continental Team after their 3rd dope case in Nov 14.The irony was priceless.