Hushovd on Giro: Very bad publicity for the race

[Kristian]

Thor Hushovd react to the athletes involved in doping scandals dominates this year's Giro d'Italia.

Hushovd, who follows the race from his hospital bed, is frustrated by what he sees in this year's Giro d 'Italia.

* Stefano Garzelli is back after a positive test for probenecid which hides doping.
* Ivan Basso returns three years after contact with the infamous Dr. Fuente and his widespread blood doping.
*Alexandre Vinokourov's back after scandal in 2007 that revealed massive blood transfusion. He leads the standings.

" That they are in the lead of Giro d 'Italia, I think is very bad. It is very bad advertisement for the race and for sport, "said Hushovd told NRK.

Requires action

Now Hushovd requires action from the international anti-doping agency, Wada.

"Rules and regulations are too poor. Everyone says that two-year suspension is too short time, so instead of talking about it, someone should respond", he said.

http://www.nrksport.no/sykkel/1.7129484

Ok, first what should be the penalty for doping, 2,3,5 or a lifetime ban?

Second, do you believe in second chances and that riders can change their ways after a suspension?

 

[R.0.t.O]

Thor Hushovd react to the athletes involved in doping scandals dominates this year's Giro d'Italia.

Hushovd, who follows the race from his hospital bed, is frustrated by what he sees in this year's Giro d 'Italia.

* Stefano Garzelli is back after a positive test for probenecid which hides doping.
* Ivan Basso returns three years after contact with the infamous Dr. Fuente and his widespread blood doping.
*Alexandre Vinokourov's back after scandal in 2007 that revealed massive blood transfusion. He leads the standings.

" That they are in the lead of Giro d 'Italia, I think is very bad. It is very bad advertisement for the race and for sport, "said Hushovd told NRK.

Requires action

Now Hushovd requires action from the international anti-doping agency, Wada.

"Rules and regulations are too poor. Everyone says that two-year suspension is too short time, so instead of talking about it, someone should respond", he said.

http://www.nrksport.no/sykkel/1.7129484

Ok, first what should be the penalty for doping, 2,3,5 or a lifetime ban?

Second, do you believe in second chances and that riders can change their ways after a suspension?

The current penalties are about right considering the still low catch rate. 2 years out for being stupid enough to get caught sounds ok. Life bans might be ok if so many people weren't still getting away with it, but no way can you take away one guy's livelihood permanently for doping while everyone else carries on. It's unsustainable.

In terms of second chances, well Vino has obviously picked up where he left off. But that's fair enough, he obviously had decent systems in place apart from one stupid mistake in 07. Lessons will have been learnt and he probably feels quite safe to prepare properly. Basso is clearly not the rider he was in 06, but he was relying on an external programme and he is probably reluctant to trust again - he's probably getting a more basic service now, but from people he trusts.

 

[Roland Rat]

Two years for where intention cannot be proven.

Lifetime for doping with intent or second non-intentional offence.

Castration for all coaches/team managers providing or assisting with dope/doping related matters. Or a life ban. Either's good.

 

[Roland Rat]

The current penalties are about right considering the still low catch rate. 2 years out for being stupid enough to get caught sounds ok. Life bans might be ok if so many people weren't still getting away with it, but no way can you take away one guy's livelihood permanently for doping while everyone else carries on. It's unsustainable.

Have an amnesty. After a certain date, new rules apply - you get caught after this, bye bye.

 

[Mr.38%]

It's not about the assessment of the penalty; it's all about the probability of getting caught. More and better controls, not longer bans.

Lifetime bans wouldn't even be legal in european countries...

 

[Fester]

Thor Hushovd react to the athletes involved in doping scandals dominates this year's Giro d'Italia.

Hushovd, who follows the race from his hospital bed, is frustrated by what he sees in this year's Giro d 'Italia.

* Stefano Garzelli is back after a positive test for probenecid which hides doping.
* Ivan Basso returns three years after contact with the infamous Dr. Fuente and his widespread blood doping.
*Alexandre Vinokourov's back after scandal in 2007 that revealed massive blood transfusion. He leads the standings.

" That they are in the lead of Giro d 'Italia, I think is very bad. It is very bad advertisement for the race and for sport, "said Hushovd told NRK.

Requires action

Now Hushovd requires action from the international anti-doping agency, Wada.

"Rules and regulations are too poor. Everyone says that two-year suspension is too short time, so instead of talking about it, someone should respond", he said.

http://www.nrksport.no/sykkel/1.7129484

Ok, first what should be the penalty for doping, 2,3,5 or a lifetime ban?

Second, do you believe in second chances and that riders can change their ways after a suspension?

Does anyone think Hushovd at some point, or continuously through out his career doped?

 

[auscyclefan94]

Thor Hushovd react to the athletes involved in doping scandals dominates this year's Giro d'Italia.

Hushovd, who follows the race from his hospital bed, is frustrated by what he sees in this year's Giro d 'Italia.

* Stefano Garzelli is back after a positive test for probenecid which hides doping.
* Ivan Basso returns three years after contact with the infamous Dr. Fuente and his widespread blood doping.
*Alexandre Vinokourov's back after scandal in 2007 that revealed massive blood transfusion. He leads the standings.

" That they are in the lead of Giro d 'Italia, I think is very bad. It is very bad advertisement for the race and for sport, "said Hushovd told NRK.

Requires action

Now Hushovd requires action from the international anti-doping agency, Wada.

"Rules and regulations are too poor. Everyone says that two-year suspension is too short time, so instead of talking about it, someone should respond", he said.

http://www.nrksport.no/sykkel/1.7129484

Ok, first what should be the penalty for doping, 2,3,5 or a lifetime ban?

Second, do you believe in second chances and that riders can change their ways after a suspension?

Hey thor, maybe we should not let lance ride again or anyone else who was involved in puerto at the tour! Can't have it both ways!

 

[maltiv]

He does have a point though. It's not easy to promote this sport to other people when all they see is previously caught riders at the top.

It's fine when dopers come back after 2 years with the expected drop in performances, but it's hard to believe it when someone comes back after 2 years out and are better/equal to the form they were in when they were doped (Vino comes to mind).

 

[Lanark]

He does have a point though. It's not easy to promote this sport to other people when all they see is previously caught riders at the top.

It's fine when dopers come back after 2 years with the expected drop in performances, but it's hard to believe it when someone comes back after 2 years out and are better/equal to the form they were in when they were doped (Vino comes to mind).

Outside of Vino and Scarponi, a lot of dopers do show a big drop in performance. Just compare the boring and average Basso we have been seeing with his superman performance in the '06 Giro.

 

[happychappy]

Does anyone think Hushovd at some point, or continuously through out his career doped?

Continuously, like everyone else.

 

[Dr. Maserati]

I have said this before - currently the rules are in place for a 4 year ban for 'willful cheating', this is what Pat McQuaid said in 2008!

From the first of January there is a bit more flexibility in it, and we can go up to a four year ban in the cases of something regarded as willful cheating.
"In these cases [Kohl and Schumacher], considering that these guys were given the product and then went and took it for the Tour de France, it would be very much classified as willful cheating. Next year a rider in that position would face a four year ban.

The 4 year ban has been in place since January 2009 - no-one has yet been hit with this ban.

It's not about the assessment of the penalty; it's all about the probability of getting caught. More and better controls, not longer bans.

Lifetime bans wouldn't even be legal in european countries...

The current ban of 4 years needs to be applied for some cases - but your point still holds, in that it is the 'probability of getting caught' that is the overriding factor.

 

[Tyler'sTwin]

The legal system needs to do its part as well. Guys like Ferrari, Fuentes, Matschiner etc should be treated like heroin dealers. Lock em up!

 

[Eyjafjallajokull]

The problem with life time bans is someone might end up getting banned for life.

That would be really crap if they were a good rider. We'd never see them again.

 

[santacruz]

I am OK with riders coming back after 2 years IF they show sincere contrition. If a rider behaves like Vino and acts like he did nothing wrong, they should go away forever... I can sympathize with riders like Millar and others who feel it's the only way to compete (in some cases true), and then they are busted and talk about how bad doping is and how it needs to go away, which is good for the sport... We need to see busted riders being apologetic and proclaiming how evil doping is, we need to say bye bye to the old omerta culture or whatever, where it's like the mafia... I think it's getting better... Richie Porte just took over the Giro, because perhaps Vino's drugs aren't quite as powerful as before? I see beams of light in the stormy doping sky..

 

[hektoren]

The current penalties are about right considering the still low catch rate. 2 years out for being stupid enough to get caught sounds ok. Life bans might be ok if so many people weren't still getting away with it, but no way can you take away one guy's livelihood permanently for doping

Why not? It's a sport, ain't it? Last time I checked, being authorized to compete at elite-levels in any voluntary activity like a sport isn't even mentioned in the UN declaration of human rights.
Athletes are out, permanently, if they get a disabling injury while performing. No workers' rights there! It'd be a case for the insurance-companies. I'd say a doper has suffered a disabling injury both to his/her body and mindset anyway. In addition they've insulted their audience, and in many cases made hard-working, honest teammates and support-personnel redundant. Kick'em out for good!
A lifelong ban is definitely the way to go. Cycling in general has a big and vested interest in projecting an image of a clean sport. A sport you'd be more than happy seeing your kids being a part of. Clean cycling would sell more bicycles, more team gear, would generate more interest, would be a positive force in reducing carbon-dioxide emission, would help fight obesity, would attract more sponsors.
And, we'd finally be able to kiss the ugly mugs of Valverde and Lance goodbye. What's there to dwell upon?

 

[hektoren]

The problem with life time bans is someone might end up getting banned for life.

That would be really crap if they were a good rider. We'd never see them again.

Would you hit on a girl twice, knowing she gave you clap the first time around?

 

[workingclasshero]

Does anyone think Hushovd at some point, or continuously through out his career doped?

no, he's probably the cleanest out of everyone

notice how his collarbone takes several weeks longer than other cyclists to heal. he seemed a bit annoyed that it takes him longer to recover than people like arvesen, hmmm, i wonder why that is, thor

 

[trompe le monde]

Wonder if Thor would like to take those words back now…