Levi Leipheimer

[mikkemus23]

Bummer.

So much for the Levi effect.

Maybe they didn`t believe he was clean from 2006 on.

 

[webvan]

Maybe he can race for Garmin now, a haven for remorseful dopers?

 

[MarkvW]

The abrupt end of an ignominious career.

 

[kcycle12]

Maybe he can race for Garmin now, a haven for remorseful dopers?

Thought this as well. And here I though confessing to USADA was supposed to be such a great deal for these guys

 

[Sarcastic Wet Trout]

Thought this as well. And here I though confessing to USADA was supposed to be such a great deal for these guys.

Breaking the omerta is never good for one's career.

 

[Coup de Foudre]

All else being equal (not that it ever is), this sets a really bad precedent.

 

[ElChingon]

Fired by OPQS.

Retirement, no other honorable choice now.

 

[hrotha]

This being OPQS, I don't trust their reasons for firing him. They do sound reasonable: you sign a rider for 2 years and he doesn't tell you he's probably going to be banned somewhere down the line, that's a good reason to be mad at him and kick him out. But, again, this is OPQS. And Levi would have been allowed to come back in March. It wasn't that big of a deal, and I'm sure they could have worked it out.

That said, Levi is not a whistleblower. He only cooperated with a gun on his head, and he only confessed to what USADA already knew. He only confessed to doping up to 2007. I have no pity for him, but I will remember OPQS did this.

 

[fatandfast]

Levi's movie still not sold out in Union Sq in NYC

 

[Robert21]

Is this part of 'a French conspiracy to stop another American winning the Tour'. Or am I confusing that with the 'Let Levi Ride' campaign, Mk1.

Background

There can be no comparison between the Astana team of 2007 and the new Astana. The entire organizational structure has been rebuilt under the direction of the team’s new General Manager, Johan Bruyneel, who has thoroughly cleaned house. What’s more, Astana has adopted the rigorous doping controls developed by anti-doping expert Dr. Rasmus Damsgaard, and Astana now spends more money on anti-doping controls than any other team in the pro peloton.


“Why should Astana be singled out? It is completely unjust. It is a collective punishment on riders who have absolutely no involvement in the Astana team of 2006 and the problems of 2006 and 2007. These riders are new to the team, there is a new management, and they have done everything in their power to put the right systems in place to ensure that the team is 100% correct.”

UCI President Pat McQuaid

http://web.archive.org/web/20080514135239/http://letleviride.com/

 

[cineteq]

End of the line for Levi, I would think.

So much for the 6-month ban being too short. Grand fondo time!

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Losewhiner will be taking out his frustrations on bike shop mechanics racing Tour of the Gila next year.

 

[Zam_Olyas]

Losewhiner will be taking out his frustrations on bike shop mechanics racing Tour of the Gila next year.

nice.

 

[Arnout]

Lefevere is just afraid of any doping rumors in his team and rightfully so. Investigation please.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

nice.

I'm such a hater.

 

[Zam_Olyas]

Lefevere is just afraid of any doping rumors in his team and rightfully so. Investigation please.

But the good doctor Jose is still there.

 

[Arnout]

But the good doctor Jose is still there.

That's why.

 

[zigmeister]

Levi will just go back to mountain bike racing. Or, certainly another team will sign him. He is still one of the better TTs guy in the sport.

What about his little "It's who I am" paycheck and backers?

 

[webvan]

That said, Levi is not a whistleblower. He only cooperated with a gun on his head, and he only confessed to what USADA already knew. He only confessed to doping up to 2007. I have no pity for him, but I will remember OPQS did this.

Yes I guess that being silent on what happened after 2007 in his affidavit (he did say he was a reluctant doper in 2007 but still...) won't help his cause, either with the fans or with Garmin.

 

[Fortyninefourteen]

Yes I guess that being silent on what happened after 2007 in his affidavit (he did say he was a reluctant doper in 2007 but still...) won't help his cause, either with the fans or with Garmin.

They are making room for Cav on the payroll......

 

[galarneau]

Reading all the affidavits, he does seem to be the most likely to still have been doping.

There seems to be very little in the way of remorse in his affidavit.

 

[luckyboy]

I don't like him but this statement.. :s

"Omega Pharma-Quick-Step Cycling Team announces that the contract with Mr Leipheimer has been terminated, effective immediately."
"We commend the rider for his open co-operation with USADA and contribution to cleaning up the sport of cycling. However, in the light of the disclosures made by Mr Leipheimer in his public statement on 10th of October the team has decided to terminate the contract."

Bummer.

So much for the Levi effect.

Maybe they didn`t believe he was clean from 2006 on.

Levi didn't say he was. Detailed doping throughout 2007 and then noted that in 08/09/10 he was still affiliated with the people who had helped him dope.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

I have as much sympathy for Leipheimer's firing as I do for a thief getting robbed on his way home from a heist.

 

[Willy_Voet]

I don't much like the little wheelsucker, but his firing smacks of hypocrisy.
OPQS..."The Clean Team"

 

[pastronef]

Retirement, no other honorable choice now.

maybe Usa team and Usa races, just like Mancebo. Specialized deal to come with to the team that hires him.