_nm___ said:
does anybody know why it is like that, though? why is cycling the one scapegoat sport for doping?
That's a recurring, valid, and good question. I believe that, at least part of it, is due to the proximity of fans and media to the athletes. When you can literally "reach out and touch" the athletes, I think that creates an increased sense of "closeness" to what is actually going on. It's easier to hide when the sport itself takes place in a stadium, and athletes, coaches and trainers are able to escape to their respective locker rooms immediately after a game (not to mention during halftime, rain delays, etc).
In what other sport is a downed athlete helped back up by the fans? Things like that tend to reinforce the sense of connection between fan and athlete (at least in the mind of many fans), and likely add to the fan feeling more "entitled" to know just what the hell is going on behind the scenes.
Add to that the fact that anyone can get on a bike and ride most of the exact same roads that the pros do. That also creates a deeper and more intimate connection to the sport, and may contribute to the sense of betrayal that accompanies most doping accusations. Most other sports are far more out of reach to the average fan (at least as it occurs at the elite level). If an olympic weight lifter gets caught doping, who really cares? Also, cycling has lost its Nationalism
when compared with the past. In many other sports, Nationalism is one or the primary reasons for the blinders being held firmly in place when it comes to doping.
Just part of my theory.