IzzyStradlin said:
so how is any of this related to where Garmin riders live and how this facilitates their doping?
Historically, Girona was renowned for doping access.
The location became particularly popular once actual laws against doping were put in place in France. Thus, a certain well-known American moved from a really nice place in Nice to Girona.
The popularity of Girona was underscored and marketed with euphemistic descriptions such as 'close to training sites'. Such proximal training sites including the co-option of the national health facilities for blood storage by Fuentes in Operacion Puerto. Girona is also a long bike ride or car day trip to other countries known to provide helpful rest spots for cyclists.
Given that Fuentes was 'healing' most of the peloton, it might have been helpful to be nearby to facilitate your extractions and re-transfusions. Or, in someone like Basso's case, just to be close to all that blood you stored up 'just in case'.
The continued popularity of Girona is intriguing.
It is a nice place, and does have the #1 restaurant in the world. But, most pro cyclists probably don't eat there every day. And the rich ones, like Lance, can always fly in for dinner. For the religious cyclist, the black virgin is nearby and could possibly endow a faithful rider with some sort of heavenly gift.
Then again, maybe the initial attraction has ultimately created some sort of critical mass and familiarity. So, once the non-Euros had found a home perhaps they continue to use it even if it doesn't offer all the same benefits that it used to.
Dave.