The new improved Lance Armstrong discussion thread.*

[User169]

Does Boogerd really expect anyone to believe that he didn't dope at the TdF when he was beating juiced up riders like Armstrong? They must take us for idiots.

Not sure if I got that right - I think he did say he doped during some TdFs, but not all. I'll take a look at the TV interview he gave on Wednesday over the weekend.

 

[Noodley]

Interesting articles on cyclingnews today about Rasmussen's confession, responses to Boogerd's "almost-confession", and the continued links with Blanco staff including Erik Dekker and medical staff. All very murky.

 

[Haitch]

Listened to Rasmussen's confession on the radio last night and he made Armstrong and US Postal look like rank amateurs. Epo, blood transfusions, cortisone, annual "medical" plans drawn up by the team managers and administered by the doctors until the bank stepped in because it was worried the riders would get caught. Breukink denies everything, Flecha knows nothing.

 

[smutchin]

I like this thoughtful piece from Vaughters:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/blogs/jo...e-armstrong-and-heres-how-we-can-fight-doping

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Listened to Rasmussen's confession on the radio last night and he made Armstrong and US Postal look like rank amateurs.

Well, I suspect if you had a full overall confession from Armstrong and Bruyneel, then it would look very similar. It's only because we've still only had partial glimpses put together that it looks less coherent.

 

[ufkacbln]

Listened to Rasmussen's confession on the radio last night and he made Armstrong and US Postal look like rank amateurs. Epo, blood transfusions, cortisone, annual "medical" plans drawn up by the team managers and administered by the doctors until the bank stepped in because it was worried the riders would get caught. Breukink denies everything, Flecha knows nothing.

Raises the question again of how much sponsors knew.

It is possible that different deals had different supervision, but it is hard to believe that Sponsors were really as naive as some of the cases where financial claims are being made would have us believe

 

[johnr]

I like this thoughtful piece from Vaughters:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/blogs/jo...e-armstrong-and-heres-how-we-can-fight-doping

Difficult to disagree with his conclusions - similar to WADA's aren't they? The real problem, which he sidesteps, is how to get from here to there.

Let's start with the defenestration of Pharmstrong and his allies at the UCI and see how the sunny uplands look then, I say.
The various old guards have successfully subverted change for so long, they cannot be allowed to continue to steer the ship.

 

[Haitch]

If I recollect correctly, he said the sponsors insited blood transfusions had to be stopped because they thought the riders would get caught. The sponsors were not so concerned about Epo and that doping continued.

Rasmussen is suing the Rabobank for 5.6 milion euros so it's in his interest to implicate as many senior people and paint them as black as possible. He named names but chiefly to blame others, not to confess his sins.

 

[User169]

If I recollect correctly, he said the sponsors insited blood transfusions had to be stopped because they thought the riders would get caught. The sponsors were not so concerned about Epo and that doping continued.

Rasmussen is suing the Rabobank for 5.6 milion euros so it's in his interest to implicate as many senior people and paint them as black as possible. He named names but chiefly to blame others, not to confess his sins.

Head bloke at Rambobank at the time denying everything, surprise, surprise.

 

[ufkacbln]

Apparently TKMaxx know something we don't

In Newmarket they have Livestrong Jerseys marked "Current Season"

 

[Noodley]

Uncle Pat's foot in mouth again

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/mcquaid-armstrong-affair-wil-not-effect-cycling

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Uncle Pat's foot in mouth again

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/mcquaid-armstrong-affair-wil-not-effect-cycling

Yeah, I posted that this morning in the Reforming the UCI thread.

 

[yello]

Dork is too nice a word for McQuaid.

I thought someone might mention LA's recent statement (in some Texas paper interview) that he believes he'll eventually be forgiven... in the same way that Bill 'I did not put my penis in that women's mouth' Clinton has been forgiven. I thought it a bit soon to be courting the public in a PR game.

 

[Noodley]

Yeah, I posted that this morning in the Reforming the UCI thread.

Oops, wondered why it wasnae here...

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Brailsford seems a little bit prickly here - http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/brailsford-hits-back-at-accusations-and-criticism-of-team-sky