Reactions from the Pro Peloton to #USPSConspiracy (USADA) - post here

[joe_papp]

Paul Kimmage

1) Paul Kimmage

2) “This is has been a long time coming and the rap sheet is just so comprehensive that it is a really, really impressive piece of work by Travis Tygart." and

“Thank God someone in a position of power and responsibility has had the balls to actually stand up and do the job. For so long the people who could have done this earlier have reneged on their responsibilities. So hats off to Travis Tygart.” and

“Anybody who could believe that this guy could operate in any other way than to cheat was deluding himself.” and

“I never believed that when he came back that he would be any different to before, and here we have conclusive evidence of that.”

“There are two things about this,” he said. “The action against me was taken to keep me quiet, to shut me up. It wasn’t about money…it was about ‘we don’t like what Paul Kimmage is saying, we don’t like what Floyd Landis is saying.’

“The other thing this indicates is that everything Floyd Landis was saying is true. You read this report and there is no other conclusion than that Floyd Landis told the truth. Is it a coincidence that Floyd Landis and Paul Kimmage are the two people the UCI went after? Maybe not…”

‘People in responsibility could have stopped this a long time ago had they actually applied the rules. They weren’t applied,” he said. “It has taken Travis Tygart to do his job and to stand up for sport.

“Also, Betsy Andreu has been heroic, she told the truth. Emma O’Reilly told the truth. These are the people who deserve praise tonight; people who stood up for the sport.”

3) http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/1...n-other-than-Floyd-Landis-told-the-truth.aspx

 

[joe_papp]

World Triathlon Corporation (Ironman) CEO Andrew Messick

1) World Triathlon Corporation (Ironman) CEO Andrew Messick

2) “WTC has been notified that USADA has initiated its Anti-Doping Review Board Process against Lance Armstrong to determine if there is sufficient evidence of doping during his cycling career to bring forward charges of a non-analytical nature. Our rules, as stated in the WTC Professional Athlete Agreement and Waiver, dictate an athlete is ineligible to compete during an open investigation. Armstrong is therefore suspended from competing in WTC-owned and licensed races pending further review.”

3) http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/1...arges-against-Lance-Armstrong-and-others.aspx

 

[joe_papp]

Wada

1) World Anti Doping Agency

2) "WADA has been advised that the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has started anti-doping proceedings against six people formerly involved with cycling teams from the USA.

WADA confirms that the process put into place is compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code.

It is noted that the proceedings are the result of evidence gathered by USADA under its mandate and does not include evidence obtained by the investigation of the US Department of Justice.

In accordance with its mandate under the Code, WADA will not comment on the case but will monitor the process and await its outcome."

3) http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/1...arges-against-Lance-Armstrong-and-others.aspx

 

[joe_papp]

Livestrong CEO Doug Ulman

1) Livestrong CEO Doug Ulman

2) "We learned today that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency has leveled charges against Lance Armstrong that he violated its rules throughout his career, based on the testimony of anonymous accusers. Regardless of anything anyone says, Lance Armstrong has been one of the most tireless and effective cancer advocates in the world. His legacy as a cancer advocate and fundraiser is indisputable. When other athletes might have kept a cancer diagnosis secret, Lance made a courageous choice to go public. That choice helped spark a revolution in how the world views cancer and its survivors.

Lance created the Foundation to serve cancer survivors before any of his Tour de France wins. Our foundation has raised nearly $500 million to serve people and families affected by cancer. We help cancer survivors struggling with the financial, emotional and practical challenges of cancer free of charge. And we advocate tirelessly for legislation, policies and funding to further the fight against cancer. In our eyes, Lance will always remain a champion. Nothing can shake our faith in him as a leader and trailblazer on behalf of cancer survivors. Our thoughts are with Lance and his family as they face what can only be a very frustrating and difficult time as a result of USADA’s actions."

3) http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/1...arges-against-Lance-Armstrong-and-others.aspx

 

[joe_papp]

USADA / Travis Tygart

1) USADA CEO Travis T. Tygart

2) “In response to numerous inquiries regarding the public statements made by Mr. Lance Armstrong, we can confirm that written notice of allegations of anti-doping rule violations was sent yesterday to him and to five (5) additional individuals all formerly associated with the United States Postal Service (USPS) professional cycling team. These individuals include three (3) team doctors and two (2) team officials. This formal notice letter is the first step in the multi-step legal process for alleged sport anti-doping rule violations.

USADA only initiates matters supported by the evidence. We do not choose whether or not we do our job based on outside pressures, intimidation or for any reason other than the evidence. Our duty on behalf of clean athletes and those that value the integrity of sport is to fairly and thoroughly evaluate all the evidence available and when there is credible evidence of doping, take action under the established rules.

As in every USADA case, all named individuals are presumed innocent of the allegations unless and until proven otherwise through the established legal process. If a hearing is ultimately held then it is an independent panel of arbitrators, not USADA that determines whether or not these individuals have committed anti-doping rule violations as alleged. At this time USADA will not comment on the evidence or have further comment unless or until it is appropriate.”

3) http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/1...arges-against-Lance-Armstrong-and-others.aspx

 

[joe_papp]

Lance Armstrong (crying)

1) Lance Armstrong

2) "I'm exploring all my options. They're not limited only to arbitration with USADA. I think there are other questions that need to be answered with regard to their behaviour and tactics."

"They are well known to move the goal line on you. We are entitled to certain things, certain pieces of evidence, if not all the evidence in terms of what will be in front of the review board."

3) http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/1...o-be-named-in-its-reaction-against-USADA.aspx

 

[joe_papp]

Tom Van Damme - President of the Royale League Vélocipédique Belge

1) Tom Van Damme - President of the Royale League Vélocipédique Belge

2) “For the moment we will do nothing, as the only information we have got is from the press and the media, and a press release from the UCI. That press release confirms the USADA case, but there is not a mention of the name of a Belgian cyclist or a sport director in it. We have asked if the UCI would give us more information.” and

"We had contacts a lawyer who was looking into the case. He made some contacts [with those involved – ed.], but at that moment there was nothing that was able to put up [support] a case. Certainly not. You can’t go by rumours, you need legal background to act.”

Asked if Bruyneel was questioned by the federation on the claims, he declined to answer. “That is confidential,” he replied.

3) http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/1...nvestigation-into-Johan-Bruyneel-for-now.aspx

 

[joe_papp]

Johan Bruyneel

1) Johan Bruyneel

2) "I am dismayed that once again doping allegations have been raised against me, this time by USADA,” he said in a statement released via his website.

“Following a Department of Justice Grand Jury investigation, no charges were filed against me. It cannot be right that I or anyone else can be pursued from court to court simply because our accusers do not like the decisions made along the way and so attempt to find a court which will get them the result they want.”

“I shall of course cooperate fully with the investigation, although I have no doubt the end result will be the same as all the other investigations over the years."

“I have never participated in any doping activity and I am innocent of all charges."

3) http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/12129/Bruyneel-protests-USADA-investigation-claims-innocence.aspx

 

[joe_papp]

Leopard S.A. / « RadioShack Nissan Trek »

1) Leopard S.A. / « RadioShack Nissan Trek »

2) “Leopard S.A. (with its cycling team known as « RadioShack Nissan Trek ») has been informed of the content of the document whereby the USADA has opened formal disciplinary proceedings against some individuals, including Mr Johan Briyneel.

“After a first review of this document, Leopard S.A. takes note that none of the investigated facts relate to its cycling team, to its riders or to the present activities of Mr Bruyneel within the Leopard S.A. structure. Indeed, these alleged facts report exclusively to events that took place prior to the start of the collaboration between Leopard S.A. and Mr Bruyneel.

“Leopard S.A. stepped into cycling with the firm commitment of actively promoting a « zero doping » policy. In this context, and in the light of the possible development of the case, Leopard S.A. will take all appropriate measures, in order to guarantee its sporting integrity and the general interest of cycling.”

3) http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/1...easures-in-relation-to-USADA-doping-case.aspx

 

[joe_papp]

Attn mods

ATTN MODS/Ed.:

Could you please go through this thread and delete all of the posts that don't either 1) provide a quote/reaction from someone connected to cycling (w/ a url/link as reference) or 2) request a specific person's reaction?

This would include all of my posts, too, that don't follow this.

Either we have to limit this thread just to the reactions, or it becomes an open thread w/ full discussion and no extraordinary moderation. I'd prefer the former, but that's only me.

 

[joe_papp]

USADA - statement on witness anonymity

1) USADA / Bill Bock

2) "In this case anonymity of the witnesses at the Review Board stage is also important to shield them from the retaliation and attempted witness intimidation that cooperating witnesses have faced in other matters related to the USPS Conspiracy."

3) Pulled from USADA Charging Letter (no pun intended) to Lane Armstrong, quoted here: http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/1...o-be-named-in-its-reaction-against-USADA.aspx

 

[joe_papp]

SCA Promotions CEO Bob Hamman

1) SCA Promotions CEO Bob Hamman

2) “We didn’t have any reason to believe this was coming, although we had heard some rumours,” he told VeloNation today. “There’s not much we can do right now, but we will watch this with interest. We will review this situation and if it looks actionable, we’ll certainly take action.”

“I imagine this is probably going to drag on for a few months. Let’s say I’d be very surprised if I heard anything before the end of the year…these things just take forever,” Hamman continued. “We have plenty of time to review this situation, though. For now, we’ll see what happens and then decide.”

3) http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/1...-case-against-ArmstrongUS-Postal-Service.aspx

 

[joe_papp]

Robert D. Luskin - attorney for Lance Armstrong

1) Robert D. Luskin - attorney for Lance Armstrong

2) “USADA should understand that, if you persist in your effort to vilify Lance Armstrong, we will not hesitate to expose your motives and your methods and to hold you accountable for your conduct.”

3) http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/armstronglawyerletter.pdf

 

[joe_papp]

Filippo Simeoni

1) Filippo Simeoni

2) Simeoni had...mixed feelings. The Italian said the possibility of Armstrong being condemned for doping left him “cold”. Simeoni also “can’t understand why suddenly now they’re investigating him, when for years he was allowed to do whatever he wanted.”

3) http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/bassons-and-simeoni-say-armstrong-probe-is-overdue

 

[joe_papp]

Christophe Bassons

1) Christophe Bassons

2) Bassons said that USADA’s action was “important” but also long overdue. “It’s a shame now that it’s coming 15 years after it all happened. It’s a shame because the evidence was there for years. I knew all along what was happening, so this doesn’t change anything for me. I don’t need fifteen pages of documents to tell me what I knew already,” Bassons told Cyclingnews.

3) http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/bassons-and-simeoni-say-armstrong-probe-is-overdue

 

[Polish]

ATTN MODS/Ed.:

Could you please go through this thread and delete all of the posts that don't either 1) provide a quote/reaction from someone connected to cycling (w/ a url/link as reference) or 2) request a specific person's reaction?

This would include all of my posts, too, that don't follow this.

Either we have to limit this thread just to the reactions, or it becomes an open thread w/ full discussion and no extraordinary moderation. I'd prefer the former, but that's only me.

Some advice on fonts please.

Your quotes are plain, bolded, bolded red, etc.

When should we use Red Font?
For USADA quotes?
When using the word "Me"?

 

[joe_papp]

Nike

1) Nike

2) "Our relationship with Lance remains as strong as ever."

3) http://www.usatoday.com/money/story...lance-armstrong-doping-allegations/55600182/1

 

[joe_papp]

Oakley

1) Oakley

2) "As always we believe in Lance."

3) http://www.usatoday.com/money/story...lance-armstrong-doping-allegations/55600182/1

 

[joe_papp]

Paul Chibe - vice president of U.S. marketing - Anheuser-Busch

1) Paul Chibe - vice president of U.S. marketing - Anheuser-Busch

2) "Our partnership with Lance remains unchanged."

3) http://www.usatoday.com/money/story...lance-armstrong-doping-allegations/55600182/1

 

[joe_papp]

Lance Armstrong's TREK bike

1) Lance Armstrong's TREK bike

2) "I can no longer keep silent—it was me all along," said the bicycle, admitting it had engaged in a full regimen of transfusions, EPO use, and other forms of blood manipulation throughout Armstrong's entire career.

"I was doping for every one of Lance's and my Tours de France, and now it's time for me to face the consequences. I apologize for what this has done to my family, to my friends, and to Lance, my longtime partner."

3) http://www.theonion.com/articles/lance-armstrongs-bike-it-was-me,28549/

The original article reads:

AUSTIN, TX—Following formal charges of performance-enhancing drug use brought by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency against Lance Armstrong on Wednesday, Armstrong's longtime bicycle has stepped forward to take full responsibility. "I can no longer keep silent—it was me all along," said the bicycle, admitting it had engaged in a full regimen of transfusions, EPO use, and other forms of blood manipulation throughout Armstrong's entire career. "I was doping for every one of Lance's and my Tours de France, and now it's time for me to face the consequences. I apologize for what this has done to my family, to my friends, and to Lance, my longtime partner." Armstrong refused comment on the issue, saying only that he maintained his own innocence and hoped his bicycle would get the help it obviously needed.

 

[Maxiton]

1) Lance Armstrong's TREK bike

2) "I can no longer keep silent—it was me all along," said the bicycle, admitting it had engaged in a full regimen of transfusions, EPO use, and other forms of blood manipulation throughout Armstrong's entire career.

"I was doping for every one of Lance's and my Tours de France, and now it's time for me to face the consequences. I apologize for what this has done to my family, to my friends, and to Lance, my longtime partner."

3) http://www.theonion.com/articles/lance-armstrongs-bike-it-was-me,28549/

The original article reads:

AUSTIN, TX—Following formal charges of performance-enhancing drug use brought by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency against Lance Armstrong on Wednesday, Armstrong's longtime bicycle has stepped forward to take full responsibility. "I can no longer keep silent—it was me all along," said the bicycle, admitting it had engaged in a full regimen of transfusions, EPO use, and other forms of blood manipulation throughout Armstrong's entire career. "I was doping for every one of Lance's and my Tours de France, and now it's time for me to face the consequences. I apologize for what this has done to my family, to my friends, and to Lance, my longtime partner." Armstrong refused comment on the issue, saying only that he maintained his own innocence and hoped his bicycle would get the help it obviously needed.

Probably married to Fabien's bike. You know, the little engine that could.

 

[joe_papp]

Adam Myerson - US domestic pro cyclist

1) Adam Myerson

2) "Janice asked if my internet was full of Lance fans complaining. I told her when Lance dopes, no one's happy."

3) Twitter, via @BikeChatter http://www.bikechatter.com/main/show/8070311

 

[joe_papp]

Ivan Dominguez - pro-cyclist

1) Ivan Dominguez - "The Cuban Missile" - pro-cyclist (US and Europro)

2) "@Nodnarb757 hahahaha they should leave Lance alone, that won't be good for cycling in US."

3) Twitter, via @BikeChatter http://www.bikechatter.com/main/show/8070750

 

[pelodee]

1) Scott Sunderland - Former rider/sports director/sports manager

2) "I am in favour of justice & truth... But can this be dealt with a bit more hast or just let it go.. Like it or not LAF has helped save lives"

"...By keeping the witch hunt alive how many people and how much money are they saving, to say. I knew it...."

"The same **** with Bjarne Riis. Every one just wants to say "I told you he was using". This is sport not politics or war crimes. Move on..."

"Does it really matter any more? No one is asking 2nd or 3rd places behind Armstrong how they feel..."

"The ones making all the noise are the ones who got caught. What ever fills your day guys..."

3) http://twitter.com/#!/triplesmc

 

[Morbius]

Mark Cavendish quoted on the BBC sports site:
"There's less now because everybody knows it's impossible," said the 27-year-old Team Sky rider. "Cycling wants a clean and fair sport, and I'll stick my neck on the line and say that other sports would sweep it under the carpet."

He added: "If any organisation puts the time, the effort and the money into catching those cheats, they'll catch the cheats. Now cycling does that. It catches the cheats, so there's more positive cases. "

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/18508991
Other papers may have longer quotes