Druggies on Two Wheels
Hmm, what was I saying the other day about drugs scandals that “inject a bit of life into the cycling soap opera” but which “won’t destabilise the whole event”? Actually, I’m not sure the whole event is destabilised, even with Rasmussen chucked out, and calls for there to be no winner this year, or to scrap the event, or whatever are excessive. The Tour isn’t just bigger than any individual rider; it’s much, much bigger. And it’s far better that it ends this way, tossing the yellow jersey out before Paris, than with the way things turned out last year, in a Tour that still doesn’t have a winner. Anyway, I’ll be on the Champs-Élysées this year — for the fifth time, and the third year running — and I’m still very much looking forward to seeing them all come home. I’m just hoping that (i) Contador turns out to be clean and that (ii) he can hold off against Evans in the time trial…
Oh, and another thing: Astana and Cofidis were pulled from the race when Vino and Moreni were caught, but Rabobank riders were allowed to continue if they wanted to. Is that because team managers are making the choices in each case; or something to do with the fact that Rasmussen was pulled by his team rather than by the Tour, or something else? It does seem a bit unfair on poor Wiggins, for example.
↓ Quote | Posted 27 July, 2007, 12:29 pmThere’s nothing really new about drugs asnd the Tour, it’s just that nowadays they catch them. Back in the 1970’s Coluche, the French comedian and Presidential candidate (at least he was homest about it) said that if they stamped out drugs the Tour would start in June and finish in September.
↓ Quote | Posted 27 July, 2007, 1:46 pmit’s just that nowadays they catch them…
Which I suppose is the reason why this “death of the Tour” stuff is sillier than usual: something’s working better than it used to.
↓ Quote | Posted 27 July, 2007, 1:52 pmI think it’s because Rasmussen didn’t break any of the rules of the tour - his offence was an internal team matter (lying to them about his whereabouts in June), so they withdrew him and left it to the other members of the team to decide for themselves.
And while it’s a shame for Wiggins - who now won’t get a chance in the Tour again until 2009 - I think kicking out an entire team when one rider fails is one way to attack the problem, as it’ll make the riders much more demanding of each other and less inclined to turn a blind eye, if they know they’ll suffer for one of them breaking the rules.
Sunday could be one of the more interesting finishes in a long time, actually - perhaps since 1989. If the difference between Evans and Contador is down to a few seconds, you could have the spectacle of the yellow jersey fighting it out on the Champs-Elysees to get the final time bonus!
↓ Quote | Posted 27 July, 2007, 5:52 pmwho now won’t get a chance in the Tour again until 2009
But that’s only because he’s got his priorities wrong, isn’t it, thinking the Olympics are more important?
↓ Quote | Posted 27 July, 2007, 6:10 pmHow can you want Contador to win ahead of Cadel Evans? Of the two, I think Contador is far, far more likely to be doped.
On a different note the stage today reminded me how great the tour is. Casar goes down in a chute, and looks like he is hanging on for dear life, then makes an awesome break in the last two kilometers and holds his lead until the end. Gutsy bastard.
↓ Quote | Posted 27 July, 2007, 6:36 pmAhh, just read the earlier post on Cadel. Fair play if Contador wins and he isn’t doped. I too would prefer a climber to win the tour if they are clean, but you’ve got to respect the way Evans gritted it out on the Col D’Aubisque the other day in the four way shoot out to try and stay in contention.
↓ Quote | Posted 27 July, 2007, 6:44 pmBut that’s only because he’s got his priorities wrong, isn’t it, thinking the Olympics are more important?
Well, we could get in a road vs track argument, but for a British rider like Wiggins the Olympics probably are more important. He can compete in the Tour and maybe pick up a stage win, or go to Beijing and try for another set of medals, which are more likely to get him attention in this country. Chris Boardman’s better known than Sean Yates, for instance.
It might be different in the future if there’s a British rider capable of taking a jersey, and/or British Cycling get the backing to create the pro road racing team they want, of course.
↓ Quote | Posted 27 July, 2007, 7:52 pmOf the two, I think Contador is far, far more likely to be doped.
I agree.
but you’ve got to respect the way Evans gritted it out on the Col D’Aubisque the other day…
Yes.
↓ Quote | Posted 27 July, 2007, 8:31 pm