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Jonathan Vaughters guest appearance

Page 2 - Get up to date with the latest news, scores & standings from the Cycling News Community.
Aug 17, 2009
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Escarabajo,

Absolute conflict of interest! National Governing bodies should not be in anti-doping adjudication. However, neither should the UCI. Both have huge conflicts of interest.

For me, WADA needs to set up an independent tribunal that works as like a pre-CAS. Faster and without conflicts. It should be financially supported by all the stakeholders in cycling and not beholden or attached to any one party.

Imagine if the Contador situation was handled correctly! First, you wouldn't have the UCI delaying the announcement of the result of the test for 3 months, second you wouldn't have the Spanish feds making decisions based on political pressure, which then had to be appealed because the pressure was so blatant and public. Third you wouldn't have CAS making an odd decision to retro-suspend a rider, which disqualify him from races that he did pass all the tests in (Giro) but only truly suspends him for 7 months. Just weird.

End of the day, transparency should have ruled. Test revealed within one week, evidence presented in 1-3 months, ruling thereafter. Guilty or innocent, everyone gets on with it.
 
Dec 4, 2009
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Mr. Vaughters,

i've been impressed that you took on Dekker as a project of sorts. Second chances are always good, and if the person turns out to be a Miller with real intent to be a good influence, they should be welcomed back. That said, what do you make of the debate about the "further punishment" of no points being awarded to riders returning from suspension? i know you and inrng have talked about this on twitter - but what is your gut reaction here? no points for 2 more years seems like it makes teams too wary of giving a second chance, and for a rider who means well again it's a huge knock on their sales pitch. How do we manage this problem?
 
Aug 17, 2009
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Dekker,

He made it to 1 Hour 13 minutes this year at camp (longer the better). Our test is a bit different, so if I told you w/kg it might not be the reference you're used to. But to give you a relative marker, Christian Vandevelde made it to 1:05. Dan Martin made it to 1:20... Navardauskas was 1:15. So, Thomas was in the upper 20% of our team. Its very good progress from 2011, when he wasn't even making it to 1 hour.
 
Hi JV, what do you think it will take for an east Asian country to be competitive at the top level of road cycling? What key elements are required besides churning out babies wuth high wattage potential, and a well planned grassroots program?
 
Jun 25, 2009
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UCI_Overlord said:
Since Tyler Farrar is struggling with the sprints early this season, could we see him switched to a classics specialist?

Tyler has mentioned in a Cycling News interview that his focus this time of year is on the classics...he doesn't start working on this sprint training until after the classics are over.
 
Aug 17, 2009
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Race Radio,

More teams are dependent on more and better events. More and better events are dependent on better coverage. So, your question kind of answers itself. In the end, board coverage is what allows cycling to grow. NBC coming in to the sport this year will help, immensely. Cycling also lends itself to the virtual world and social media in a way many sports do not, so this could also spur growth going forward.

However.... for me... The key to growth in the US is engaging the huge and growing recreational cycling community more in professional cycling. Imagine if all the folks doing disease rides and grand fondos were also avid fans of the sport? the purchasing power of that demographic is huge. Right now we are a few steps away from getting recreational cyclists to become real fans of the sport.

Podium girls? Lots of stories. None that I'm telling you. Go find some podium photos from the 1998 PruTour of Britain
 
Aug 17, 2009
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Maltiv,

Dan could very well win in the Ardennes, but his allergies limit him a lot. We've gotten him some new allergists and advice this year, so fingers crossed.....
 
What do you think about A. Rasmussen not being banned after not filling in his whereabouts 3 times in comparison with Y. Offredo who received a 1 year ban today for the same thing?

And did you ever think about firing Rasmussen over this issue (even though he did not get banned) since Garmin has a strict policy against doping and a fair cycling sport?
 
Aug 9, 2011
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JV1973 said:
Dekker,

He made it to 1 Hour 13 minutes this year at camp (longer the better). Our test is a bit different, so if I told you w/kg it might not be the reference you're used to. But to give you a relative marker, Christian Vandevelde made it to 1:05. Dan Martin made it to 1:20... Navardauskas was 1:15. So, Thomas was in the upper 20% of our team. Its very good progress from 2011, when he wasn't even making it to 1 hour.

This makes me curious: What's the best "score" with this test? By whom and in what year?
 
Aug 17, 2009
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Havetts,

Biggest talent and biggest underachiever might be the same person! From a physiological testing standpoint, Contador is the most talented rider I've ever heard about. But I don't know if Andy Schleck has ever taken the same test!

Cancellara is also a huge talent. In a different way, but huge.

Our surprize top 10? well, it's a surprise, right? We have 2 guys that could fit that bill. I'll let you guess.
 
Aug 17, 2009
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You are expressing my sentiments for me. No matter what your view on contador or even on Bjarne, this situation is not a just one. You can't punish 27 riders, some who've never raced with contador, for a verdict that was from a previous team.

As president of the AIGCP, I have made my position clear to the license commission on this issue. I hope they find my arguments compelling.

The bigger issue here is the structure of the World Tour and the points system in general. For me, it is a system that dissuades sponsors, is demeaning to teams, and prevents athletes from achieving their earning potential, relative to other sports. Its really a pity that this system has been put into place.
 
Aug 17, 2009
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Pinot,

Mollema. His greatest weakness is in the time trial, which we have the most ability to improve (relative to other teams)....
 
Aug 17, 2009
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Navardauskas can win on any terrain, outside of very high mountains. I think it's going to be very, very interesting to watch his trajectory in cycling. Where it ends up? i don't just yet...

Tommy D is in very good form. For Langkawi it will be a question of if he can overcome jet lag and heat.
 
Aug 17, 2009
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Exrower,

I think just a bit of time. As the races in Asia become more competitive, the level to compete rises. and the level needed to make the teams competing in these races rises. it all leads to a broader base to the pyramid, which makes the peak higher. Going all the way down to the junior ranks.

Once Asia produces it's first top 5 rider in the Tour de France, things will get interesting really fast. The hero factor is big in making sports grow.

JV
 
Feb 15, 2011
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JV1973 said:
You are expressing my sentiments for me. No matter what your view on contador or even on Bjarne, this situation is not a just one. You can't punish 27 riders, some who've never raced with contador, for a verdict that was from a previous team.

As president of the AIGCP, I have made my position clear to the license commission on this issue. I hope they find my arguments compelling.

The bigger issue here is the structure of the World Tour and the points system in general. For me, it is a system that dissuades sponsors, is demeaning to teams, and prevents athletes from achieving their earning potential, relative to other sports. Its really a pity that this system has been put into place.

JV,
In order to make cycling more global, do you think it would be beneficial to raise the level of Continental racing to make it more prestigious, or take the top riders and have them compete all over the world; like what the World Tour seems to be promoting.
 
Nov 19, 2011
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How much for that Doggie in the Window?

Just curious, as I have seemed to misplace the paperwork. How much compensation did you receive from Sky for Brad Wiggins? Enquiring minds want to know.

Secondly why is it that more riders aren't speaking out about the lack of testing in reference to anti-doping measures? Dan Martin has been vocal as of late. What's the story, JV?:D
 
Aug 17, 2009
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Ruudz,

Contractually, we never had the right to "fire" Rasmussen, as he was exonerated. It would be illegal.

Rasmussen was not even charged, as it could not be filed, due to the UCI not meeting WADA guidelines. If Rasmussen must fill out the paperwork, so too must the UCI. Fairness is for everyone, not just the ruling party.

That said, from a pragmatic standpoint, I think both Offredo and Rasmussen should be suspended. But for 6 months, retroactive to the date of 3rd missed test. It's a warning shot, not shoot to kill. And if they do it again, 2 yrs, no questions.

I highly doubt Offredo was doping and I know Rasmussen was not. So, I think sometimes things need to be fair and pragmatic, as opposed to always looking for a solution that gives the appearance of being "strong against doping"..

Lets actually fight doping, as opposed to trying to look like we are.
 

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