Excellent Walsh interview

[Moose McKnuckles]

Well done, CN. Truly a frank and honest view of cycling and of the business interests in it.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/david-walsh-weighs-in-on-contador-case

 

[Darryl Webster]

Great interview. Telling it the way it is Mr Walsh.

 

[BikeCentric]

"The one thing that really should bother right minding thinking people is that no one cares for honest men getting screwed. The journalists don't care, the race officials don't care, the sponsors don't care, and sadly you have to say that the public don't care. That's always been the issue for me."

Right on.

At this point I'm directing my anger at the idiot fans from now on. Guys like Polish, SpartacusRox, and the d-bag on my group ride who thinks doping makes the sport more fun to watch. You guys are a bunch of selfish *** who think other people should have to stick a needle in their arm for your enjoyment. Go watch the WWF where you belong.

 

[JayZee]

At this point I'm directing my anger at the idiot fans from now on. Guys like Polish, SpartacusRox, and the d-bag on my group ride who thinks doping makes the sport more fun to watch. You guys are a bunch of selfish *** who think other people should have to stick a needle in their arm for your enjoyment. Go watch the WWF where you belong.

Niiiiiiice.

 

[JayZee]

Great interview. The sport is screwed up.

 

[Tyler'sTwin]

"It's terribly sad because there are some great riders out there that don't want to dope and who are not doping. They are getting screwed. Your heart goes out to young riders who you believe in but you also think that they face a really difficult challenge in terms of ever finding out how good they are because as they climb that ladder they will meet more people who are doping and the battle becomes an unfair one.

"The one thing that really should bother right minding thinking people is that no one cares for honest men getting screwed. The journalists don't care, the race officials don't care, the sponsors don't care, and sadly you have to say that the public don't care. That's always been the issue for me."

This is the sad truth and it cannot be stressed enough. A lot of people will say everyone does it so it's a level playing field, but that's BS. Everyone doesn't do it, nor should they be forced to do so to avoid an unfair disadvantage.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

Thanks BikeCentric. I feel the same way. Soon those pipo will be the last ones who follow cycling.

 

[momotaro]

well put

"The one thing that really should bother right minding thinking people is that no one cares for honest men getting screwed. The journalists don't care, the race officials don't care, the sponsors don't care, and sadly you have to say that the public don't care. That's always been the issue for me."

This paragraph perfectly sums up my thoughts and emotions on the matter of doping in elite cycling. Walsh: I am now a fan.


How many dreams have been crushed, how many years of life wasted in the vain pursuit of these dreams.

 

[Tyler'sTwin]

But what I don't understand is how a few postive tests on top riders can cause such a negative reaction in this forum. Everyone here already knew that doping is widespread in cycling and that AC is most likely doped, so what changed? When you realize that there's a problem, every positive test is a good thing. Ideally, lots of big fish should be reeled in.

And it's not like Moncoutie or someone a lot people tout as clean was caught.

 

[Anonymous]

"The one thing that really should bother right minding thinking people is that no one cares for honest men getting screwed. The journalists don't care, the race officials don't care, the sponsors don't care, and sadly you have to say that the public don't care. That's always been the issue for me."

Right on.

At this point I'm directing my anger at the idiot fans from now on. Guys like Polish, SpartacusRox, and the d-bag on my group ride who thinks doping makes the sport more fun to watch. You guys are a bunch of selfish *** who think other people should have to stick a needle in their arm for your enjoyment. Go watch the WWF where you belong.

Spot on. Great post.

 

[luckyboy]

"The sport is already seriously damaged. Opinions are now so polarised that there are very few people who believe in this sport and who are capable of being turned off by the next big positive."

Never got this. The more positives, the more guys getting caught.

Good interview.

 

[hrotha]

Great read. You don't see that angle (the clean riders being cheated) in the mainstream media too often, and it's the crucial thing in this mess.

 

[erkcyclisme]

pro cycling doesn't suck

Go ahead Jayzee, BikeCentric, Moose, etc., and turn your back on the disgraced sport of professional cycling. And turn your passion to what? What sport/political party/government, etc., isn't corrupt at some level? The brutal demands of professional cycling make it unique among professional sports. With salaries that pale in comparison to soccer, baseball, basketball, etc., coupled with performance enhancing drugs that do actually work, of course there are going to be people looking for an edge.

The UCI is doing all it can to clean the sport, and the levels of testing are unprecedented in sport. Where recreational drug use permeates other sports and general society, professional cycling is one of the few professions that require a physiological make-up few possess, no matter their passion.

With the drugs and procedures that can bridge the gap between a promising rider to contender, it just invites abuse, no matter the testing.

Contador has been able to elevate himself from pure climber to all-around champion, and enjoyed the fruits of success. Now, he's going to pay the piper...maybe that is the deterrent needed to stop the next Contador.

 

[Anonymous]

Go ahead Jayzee, BikeCentric, Moose, etc., and turn your back on the disgraced sport of professional cycling. And turn your passion to what? What sport/political party/government, etc., isn't corrupt at some level? The brutal demands of professional cycling make it unique among professional sports. With salaries that pale in comparison to soccer, baseball, basketball, etc., coupled with performance enhancing drugs that do actually work, of course there are going to be people looking for an edge.

The UCI is doing all it can to clean the sport, and the levels of testing are unprecedented in sport. Where recreational drug use permeates other sports and general society, professional cycling is one of the few professions that require a physiological make-up few possess, no matter their passion.

With the drugs and procedures that can bridge the gap between a promising rider to contender, it just invites abuse, no matter the testing.

Contador has been able to elevate himself from pure climber to all-around champion, and enjoyed the fruits of success. Now, he's going to pay the piper...maybe that is the deterrent needed to stop the next Contador.

You can't really believe this , can you?

 

[hrotha]

You can't really believe this , can you?

Come on, none of us were born cynical/somewhat educated about the realities of doping in pro cycling. Be easy on him/her.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

"The one thing that really should bother right minding thinking people is that no one cares for honest men getting screwed. The journalists don't care, the race officials don't care, the sponsors don't care, and sadly you have to say that the public don't care. That's always been the issue for me."

Right on.

At this point I'm directing my anger at the idiot fans from now on. Guys like Polish, SpartacusRox, and the d-bag on my group ride who thinks doping makes the sport more fun to watch. You guys are a bunch of selfish *** who think other people should have to stick a needle in their arm for your enjoyment. Go watch the WWF where you belong.

Great post, BikeCentric.

 

[elizab]

The UCI is doing all it can to clean the sport...

This statement is ludicrous.
The UCI is a great example of why the past must be acknowledged so change can be made and history not repeat itself. If Verbruggen was ever held accountable for the farcical Vrijman report and his relationship to the man who wrote it and for receiving money from athletes whose drug testing he was in charge of, the UCI wouldn't be considered a joke. That Pat McQuaid still has his job there is indicative of how integrity deprived that body is. He should be fired.
As for "the f&#!ing little troll" no surprise that the truth does matter. As it should.

 

[Polish]

Turn that frown upside down

How many dreams have been crushed, how many years of life wasted in the vain pursuit of these dreams.

OK, I give up. How many?

At this point I'm directing my anger at the idiot fans from now on. Guys like Polish, SpartacusRox, and the d-bag on my group ride who thinks doping makes the sport more fun to watch. You guys are a bunch of selfish ***.

Dude, I am GLAD doper Contador was busted. And Contador fun to watch?
Puleez. If I never see another team mate attacked or unsportsmanlike move or a finger bang bang I will be happy. Happier than Walsh, thats for sure.

Contador has been able to elevate himself from pure climber to all-around champion, and enjoyed the fruits of success. Now, he's going to pay the piper...maybe that is the deterrent needed to stop the next Contador.

Exactly, this should be a happy day.
Another doper bites the dust.
The tide is turning.

Why is Walsh such a negative nellie?
Why? Because it was not Lance getting popped.

Gosh, if/when Lance gets popped, this Forum will be much less gloomy lol

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

And turn your passion to what? What sport/political party/government, etc., isn't corrupt at some level?

You are right here. To stay in sports: IOC and FIFA is way worse, b/c their corruption takes entire countries in kin liability. But we can´t excuse failures of others with those of the UCI.
If one stops watching cycling, of course he should avoid any pro sports. And actually, that´s what i´ll do if Contador goes unpunished...

 

[ProfTournesol]

But what I don't understand is how a few postive tests on top riders can cause such a negative reaction in this forum. Everyone here already knew that doping is widespread in cycling and that AC is most likely doped, so what changed? When you realize that there's a problem, every positive test is a good thing. Ideally, lots of big fish should be reeled in.

And it's not like Moncoutie or someone a lot people tout as clean was caught.

I agree, I'm happy, it's great news that he has been caught. The longer the list of cheats that get caught, the happier I become
As you said, who was genuinely surprised that he was doping?

 

[erader]

You are right here. To stay in sports: IOC and FIFA is way worse, b/c their corruption takes entire countries in kin liability. But we can´t excuse failures of others with those of the UCI.
If one stops watching cycling, of course he should avoid any pro sports. And actually, that´s what i´ll do if Contador goes unpunished...

that'll show 'em .

erader

 

[erader]

Great read. You don't see that angle (the clean riders being cheated) in the mainstream media too often, and it's the crucial thing in this mess.

i think it's a weak argument. anyone who makes it to pros thinking that doping isn't widespread is an idiot. these guys have always doped and always will.

erader

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

erader

So how about Mottet and Bassons? To be honest that´s the only 2 of tousands i ever heard being clean.

 

[hrotha]

I agree, I'm happy, it's great news that he has been caught. The longer the list of cheats that get caught, the happier I become
As you said, who was genuinely surprised that he was doping?

I'm glad he was caught, not so glad about the shenanigans, lies, interviews, press conferences and assorted UCI malarkey, or about the nationalistic crap many allegedly respectable Spanish folks are saying to defend Contador (and yet I'm morbidly drawn to the sites where I can read it). That's the kind of stuff that makes me pessimistic. Nothing's changed in that front.

 

[Polyarmour]

i think it's a weak argument. anyone who makes it to pros thinking that doping isn't widespread is an idiot. these guys have always doped and always will.

erader

Always will? You don't think the noose is slowly tightening on the dopers? Every year the tests get better and it must be more and more difficult to keep ahead of the labs. Already there are a number of drugs that used to be taken that are now simply off limits to the pro peloton. To see some big names go down like this must have an effect too. It might take a few more years but I see it slowly being squeezed out of existence.