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The Tour d'France

Just when I was expecting one of the best tours in the last 7 years, what happens? The two favorites, Jan Ullrich and Ivan Basso, along with Francisco Mancebo, Joseba Beloki and Oscar Sevilla, a veritable who's who in the cycling world, have been suspended from their respective teams for suspicions of blood doping.

It's so hard to watch the tour now. Sure, George Hincapie, Floyd Landis and a number of other top riders, who have a chance of winning, are still in the race, but when the ranks are thinned of the top two contenders, it is sure to taint any victory.

All the cyclists suspended claimed their innocence (would you have expected anything else), but what is surprising is this was not a decision made by Tour officials, the International Cycling Union (UCI) or the Amateur Sports Association (ASO), but was a decision by all the participating teams as required by a

code of ethics that was signed by all teams on January 1, 2005 which stated that no team would allow a rider to compete while under investigation in any doping affair.


I don't know whether the individuals singled out are quilty or not, but to take such drastic action indicates there is strong evidence to suggest they are guilty. Still I don't like the decision. I wish there could have been a better way.

Blood doping is extremely hard to detect, and if that many individuals and teams were involved, then it is likely that the problem is more wide spread then what is indicated here. Some teams may just be better at hiding it then others, especially those based thousands of miles away.
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Comments

Becky said…
You mean none of them left are worthy of watching?

I started reading Cancer Etiquette, it's pretty good.
12:25 AM
Marc said…
I said
Sure, George Hincapie, Floyd Landis and a number of other top riders, who have a chance of winning, are still in the race

And in the end it may still be a good race, but I'm just concerned this entire controversy will taint the race, and that isn't good for the sport.
2:47 PM
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