Brits don't dope?

[bobbins]

Re:

UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) today confirmed that amateur cyclist Robin Townsend has been suspended from all sport for four years following an Anti-Doping Rule Violation.

http://www.ukad.org.uk/news/article/amateur-cyclist-robin-townsend-banned-for-four-years

Modafidil was detected, he claimed to have had his drink spiked, and named the suspect to UKAD

Full decision (redacted in parts)
http://www.ukad.org.uk/anti-doping-rule-violations/download-decision/a/6970

He failed to meet the admittedly tough level to have spiking seriously considered. There are certainly some discrepancies in his story.

The back-story to all this is like a soap opera.
http://www.womenscyclingsheffield.org/wctrt-blog.html

 

[gillan1969]

Re: Re:

UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) today confirmed that amateur cyclist Robin Townsend has been suspended from all sport for four years following an Anti-Doping Rule Violation.

http://www.ukad.org.uk/news/article/amateur-cyclist-robin-townsend-banned-for-four-years

Modafidil was detected, he claimed to have had his drink spiked, and named the suspect to UKAD

Full decision (redacted in parts)
http://www.ukad.org.uk/anti-doping-rule-violations/download-decision/a/6970

He failed to meet the admittedly tough level to have spiking seriously considered. There are certainly some discrepancies in his story.

The back-story to all this is like a soap opera.
http://www.womenscyclingsheffield.org/wctrt-blog.html

jesus............................

if ever there was a time to say just ride your bike

 

[Catwhoorg]

Agreed I have been looking a little more into this.

There *SHOULD* be criminal charges coming in light of some of the harassment that has been going on.
This depends on the desire to push for it, and police co-operation.

If they get a criminal conviction, I think an appeal would probably succeed.

 

[carton]

Leaving aside (as in, riding a wide berth around) the particulars of this event: spinking is the one issue I can see with the current fairly draconian cycling anti-doping set-up, Sprinkle a little crack, as Dave Chappelle used to say, and you can end someone's involvement with competitive cycling fairly quickly. I'm not saying there's a better option than strict liability. I'm just saying everything has it's cons. Still, better that than being conned again, I guess.

 

[Catwhoorg]

In professional ranks, its unlikely, there is always someone round the bikes, bottles come from carers or the car.

Amateur level ? Absolutely.
It would be trivial from someone to tamper with my bottle (or bike) in the transition area of a tri.

(Of course being old fat and slow, its rather unlikely anyone would)

 

[bobbins]

Re:

Agreed I have been looking a little more into this.

There *SHOULD* be criminal charges coming in light of some of the harassment that has been going on.
This depends on the desire to push for it, and police co-operation.

If they get a criminal conviction, I think an appeal would probably succeed.

The fact that the police were never contacted, even after he suspected that his drink was spiked speaks volumes. Police involvement might not have prevented a ban but like you say, a reduction and sympathy would be a positive outcome. Lack of police involvement is a big clue as to the validity of the spiked drink claim.

 

[gillan1969]

Re: Re:

Agreed I have been looking a little more into this.

There *SHOULD* be criminal charges coming in light of some of the harassment that has been going on.
This depends on the desire to push for it, and police co-operation.

If they get a criminal conviction, I think an appeal would probably succeed.

The fact that the police were never contacted, even after he suspected that his drink was spiked speaks volumes. Police involvement might not have prevented a ban but like you say, a reduction and sympathy would be a positive outcome. Lack of police involvement is a big clue as to the validity of the spiked drink claim.

is it not balance of probabilities for UKAD...the police would need more???

 

[King Boonen]

Re: Re:

UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) today confirmed that amateur cyclist Robin Townsend has been suspended from all sport for four years following an Anti-Doping Rule Violation.

http://www.ukad.org.uk/news/article/amateur-cyclist-robin-townsend-banned-for-four-years

Modafidil was detected, he claimed to have had his drink spiked, and named the suspect to UKAD

Full decision (redacted in parts)
http://www.ukad.org.uk/anti-doping-rule-violations/download-decision/a/6970

He failed to meet the admittedly tough level to have spiking seriously considered. There are certainly some discrepancies in his story.

The back-story to all this is like a soap opera.
http://www.womenscyclingsheffield.org/wctrt-blog.html

jesus............................

if ever there was a time to say just ride your bike

TTers, different breed...

 

[SouthDowns]

Re: Re:

Agreed I have been looking a little more into this.

There *SHOULD* be criminal charges coming in light of some of the harassment that has been going on.
This depends on the desire to push for it, and police co-operation.

If they get a criminal conviction, I think an appeal would probably succeed.

The fact that the police were never contacted, even after he suspected that his drink was spiked speaks volumes. Police involvement might not have prevented a ban but like you say, a reduction and sympathy would be a positive outcome. Lack of police involvement is a big clue as to the validity of the spiked drink claim.

is it not balance of probabilities for UKAD...the police would need more???

Maybe it's like an insurance claim, you don't really expect the police to find your knicked bike but your insurance company isn't going to take you seriously without a crime reference number or whatever.

 

[Catwhoorg]

Exactly.
If you can say the police are involved, its case #xyz, and an active investigation, that is going to carry some weight.

I believe it would stay the matter until the investigation is complete at the very least.

 

[King Boonen]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/35409943

Pretty sure they tried this before and it didn't work...

 

[Catwhoorg]

It didn't work, specifically in relation to the Olympics ban, but that does have broader implications.

Of course what they could do is just take it up as a policy, and just not mention it.

So sorry that Doper X wasn't selected, but we chose young talent Y instead, to build towards the future.

 

[King Boonen]

Re:

It didn't work, specifically in relation to the Olympics ban, but that does have broader implications.

Of course what they could do is just take it up as a policy, and just not mention it.

So sorry that Doper X wasn't selected, but we chose young talent Y instead, to build towards the future.

Problem is I think that clashes with other selection criteria, such as winning British Championships etc. They'd basically have to say we can select whoever we want for whatever reason and I'm not sure they could get away with that.

 

[The Carrot]

So that's the 3rd TT champ who's been nobbled recently. Seeing that testing is virtually non existent in Cycling Time Trials here in the UK, maybe this is just the tip of the iceberg.

While much time is spent on here talking about deniers, does else anyone think that some amateurs dope because their idols do? i.e they're copying their heroes. I once met a cyclist who had broken his collar bone on a ride and he was literally salivating over the fact that he had an injury common to professional cyclists (I am not making this up). These people exist, so it doesn't take a giant leap to think that some may dope because the pros do.

 

[bobbins]

Re:

So that's the 3rd TT champ who's been nobbled recently. Seeing that testing is virtually non existent in Cycling Time Trials here in the UK, maybe this is just the tip of the iceberg.

While much time is spent on here talking about deniers, does else anyone think that some amateurs dope because their idols do? i.e they're copying their heroes. I once met a cyclist who had broken his collar bone on a ride and he was literally salivating over the fact that he had an injury common to professional cyclists (I am not making this up). These people exist, so it doesn't take a giant leap to think that some may dope because the pros do.

First surely?

 

[fmk_RoI]

Re: Re:

First surely

Third. After Hastings (busted at a TTT) and Evans (junior TT champ)

 

[blackcat]

Re: Re:

First surely

Third. After Hastings (busted at a TTT) and Evans (junior TT champ)

Cuddles? surely not. cleans I tell you. unless you step on his dog, and and he channels a roid rage

 

[bobbins]

Re: Re:

First surely

Third. After Hastings (busted at a TTT) and Evans (junior TT champ)

Hastings was target tested and Evans hasn't gone positive.

 

[Catwhoorg]

His case is pending at UKAD, but with a public admission, there is little reason not to assume he will get a 4 year ban

 

[bobbins]

There's loads more going on in domestic cycling in the UK than 1 positive target test indicates. UKAD have been tipped off about a few but have taken no action. The odd positive it seems is all they want to make it look like they are doing their job. A large number would be very embarrassing to BC and also to UKAD who are banging on about athlete education more than they seem to be testing.

 

[wrinklyvet]

Re:

There's loads more going on in domestic cycling in the UK than 1 positive target test indicates. UKAD have been tipped off about a few but have taken no action. The odd positive it seems is all they want to make it look like they are doing their job. A large number would be very embarrassing to BC and also to UKAD who are banging on about athlete education more than they seem to be testing.

Just as a matter of interest, as you bring British Cycling into this, I would mention that for historical reasons that I won't go into the national governing body for time trials in the UK is Cycling Time Trials, not BC. The exception would be in road races with time trial stages and a few other events, but the vast number of British time trial amateurs tend to have no connection with BC. It's different if you want to road race instead or as well - there will be riders who belong to both or whose clubs are affiliated to both. Our very many time trials (a feature of our cycling scene that I am told is not replicated elsewhere) are under the rules of Cycling Time Trials, so called.

So, briefly, these apparent positives have no direct connection with British Cycling, which is not to say they are not of serious concern. I don't see the embarrassment for British cycling arising from them. It rests elsewhere.

 

[Catwhoorg]

The lack of open registration 10/25 mile TTs in the US came as quite a shock to me.

It is a peculiarly British thing.

 

[bobbins]

Re: Re:

There's loads more going on in domestic cycling in the UK than 1 positive target test indicates. UKAD have been tipped off about a few but have taken no action. The odd positive it seems is all they want to make it look like they are doing their job. A large number would be very embarrassing to BC and also to UKAD who are banging on about athlete education more than they seem to be testing.

Just as a matter of interest, as you bring British Cycling into this, I would mention that for historical reasons that I won't go into the national governing body for time trials in the UK is Cycling Time Trials, not BC. The exception would be in road races with time trial stages and a few other events, but the vast number of British time trial amateurs tend to have no connection with BC. It's different if you want to road race instead or as well - there will be riders who belong to both or whose clubs are affiliated to both. Our very many time trials (a feature of our cycling scene that I am told is not replicated elsewhere) are under the rules of Cycling Time Trials, so called.

So, briefly, these apparent positives have no direct connection with British Cycling, which is not to say they are not of serious concern. I don't see the embarrassment for British cycling arising from them. It rests elsewhere.

Apart from Hastings being the BC masters RR champ, winning it the week before this positive test I think.

BC are the ones profiting more out of the current boom in cycling, therefore they will be embarrassed. I appreciate that CTT are different but as far as anyone relevant is concerned, BC are the governing body and are doing very little to cut doping out.

 

[sniper]

Re: Re:

There's loads more going on in domestic cycling in the UK than 1 positive target test indicates. UKAD have been tipped off about a few but have taken no action. The odd positive it seems is all they want to make it look like they are doing their job. A large number would be very embarrassing to BC and also to UKAD who are banging on about athlete education more than they seem to be testing.

Just as a matter of interest, as you bring British Cycling into this, I would mention that for historical reasons that I won't go into the national governing body for time trials in the UK is Cycling Time Trials, not BC. The exception would be in road races with time trial stages and a few other events, but the vast number of British time trial amateurs tend to have no connection with BC. It's different if you want to road race instead or as well - there will be riders who belong to both or whose clubs are affiliated to both. Our very many time trials (a feature of our cycling scene that I am told is not replicated elsewhere) are under the rules of Cycling Time Trials, so called.

So, briefly, these apparent positives have no direct connection with British Cycling, which is not to say they are not of serious concern. I don't see the embarrassment for British cycling arising from them. It rests elsewhere.

That's a good piece of info, but the boldface is a bit rich.
Maybe BC should consider putting out a presser distancing themselves from CTT, because every other mortal will just take what it says on the internet at face value:

BC: The internationally recognised governing body of cycle sport in the UK

On a side, a bit like with Astana, don't you think such a clustering of positives in one place is suggestive of some sort of score being settled on a higher political level? Iow, is UKAD deliberately targeting CTT and if so why?

 

[King Boonen]

Re: Re:

On a side, a bit like with Astana, don't you think such a clustering of positives in one place is suggestive of some sort of score being settled on a higher political level? Iow, is UKAD deliberately targeting CTT and if so why?

I don't think so. A lot of people who race under the CTT will also race BC organised races. I think I'm right in saying that there are a lot more TTs run in the UK than road races and the majority of them are run under the CTT (I think, there's also the VTTA (veterans time trial association and their Scottish counterparts SVTTA who might be separate). I think there might even be a new Scottish one but I'd have to check my club page.

Basically, I think it's law of averages. You're much more likely to get caught at a TT and there are more TTs run by CTT than anyone else.

Someone who's more into racing will correct me if I'm wrong.