Riccò hospitalized for possible kidney ailment

[rhubroma]

Well, you started it. Suspecting and critical eyes are so totally OK, but when you make the claim that Cancellaras comments re. Riccò are hypocritical and a clever perpetuation of omertà, you'd better back up your defamation with facts.

Fabian! Is that you? The defensive posturing and the highlighted bit gave you away.

 

[Race Radio]

Does anybody know if giving oneself a blood transfusion is in itself a criminal offence in Italy? Or is it just a crime if it's part of a sporting fraud?

I tend to think that I should be allowed to keep my own blood in my own fridge and inject it into my own body if I really want to. People do stranger and more dangerous things as part of crazy natural healing ideas or fetishes.

It mostly likely is. Here in the US blood is a controlled substance. The extraction, storage, and transfusion of it is regulated.

 

[Arnout]

http://www.gazzetta.it/Ciclismo/09-02-2011/ricco-fine-corsa-8092541667.shtml

Police didn't find any evidence at Ricco's house, related to blood doping or transfusions. They found some pills, but I think that are sleep pills (just like they were at the last raid).

It seems the doctor left some kind of report for Ricco's wife who was away at the time, in which is stated that "it looks like a case of blood transfusion". Maybe that's where all the fuss comes from.

Moreover, in another news article today it was stated that Ricco was not able to talk at all yesterday.

 

[Ecowarrior18]

Lots of stories about people wanting to investigate him, fire him, etc.

Very few stories that concern his physical condition.

Sad.

I agree, for all his flaws and chequered past he is still a fellow human being.
Its easy to knock someone when they are down, but remember its not too long ago that we lost a flawed and ultimately neglected (By the right sort of people) with the untimely death of Marco Pantani.

It strikes me that some of the guys out there in the Pro ranks are not getting good advice.

Very sad.

No pleasure to be found in the news of this kind.

 

[nowhereman]

The problem with your take is there is zero evidence that Ricco got into this situation by doing anything not done and continuing to be done by a great many other riders. IOW, it appears that Ricco was probably more unlucky than idiotic. (Or if you prefer, most everyone in the peloton is a self-destructive idiot, but have been lucky enough not to have been destroyed yet).

Any pro rider who doesn't look at Ricco and say, there but for the grace of God go I, is either immensely hypocritical, or most likely has very few palmares to speak of.

Okay, sadly, lets go with your premise that they are all doping. Then, Yes, THEY ARE ALL IDIOTS. For my part, I don't believe that, but if that were the way it truly is, in the peloton, then the sport has no credibility at all. However, if I am to remain a fan of pro cycling, I will not subsribe to that viewpoint until evidence is submitted to the contrary.
As one shocked junior member articulated somewhere in this thread, the cynicism that runs rampant through this forum is astounding and quite a turn off. I refuse to be part of that cynicism. Ricco is absolutely as stupid as one can be. I hope he has a life after cycling, because I won't for a moment be pulling for him to have any more professional cycling left in his life. However,for his efforts he does deserve a reward: a lifetime ban, nothing less.

 

[ulrikmm]

http://www.gazzetta.it/Ciclismo/09-02-2011/ricco-fine-corsa-8092541667.shtml

Police didn't find any evidence at Ricco's house, related to blood doping or transfusions. They found some pills, but I think that are sleep pills (just like they were at the last raid).

It seems the doctor left some kind of report for Ricco's wife who was away at the time, in which is stated that "it looks like a case of blood transfusion". Maybe that's where all the fuss comes from.

Moreover, in another news article today it was stated that Ricco was not able to talk at all yesterday.

They found this drip next to the bed:

Explains the complication that occurred.

 

[BotanyBay]

Okay, sadly, lets go with your premise that they are all doping. Then, Yes, THEY ARE ALL IDIOTS. For my part, I don't believe that, but if that were the way it truly is, in the peloton, then the sport has no credibility at all. However, if I am to remain a fan of pro cycling, I will not subsribe to that viewpoint until evidence is submitted to the contrary.
As one shocked junior member articulated somewhere in this thread, the cynicism that runs rampant through this forum is astounding and quite a turn off. I refuse to be part of that cynicism. Ricco is absolutely as stupid as one can be. I hope he has a life after cycling, because I won't for a moment be pulling for him to have any more professional cycling left in his life. However,for his efforts he does deserve a reward: a lifetime ban, nothing less.

With multiple organ failure, he'll be lucky to live at all.

BTW, does anyone have any information about Riccó's actual physical condition? The news search engines are only filled with articles reporting on either the investigation or a potential sacking by his team.

 

[hrotha]

http://www.gazzetta.it/Ciclismo/09-02-2011/ricco-fine-corsa-8092541667.shtml

Police didn't find any evidence at Ricco's house, related to blood doping or transfusions. They found some pills, but I think that are sleep pills (just like they were at the last raid).

It seems the doctor left some kind of report for Ricco's wife who was away at the time, in which is stated that "it looks like a case of blood transfusion". Maybe that's where all the fuss comes from.

Moreover, in another news article today it was stated that Ricco was not able to talk at all yesterday.

Of course, what they did find is Vania Rossi, who I'm pretty sure would know a thing or two about how to dispose of any incriminating evidence.

 

[ak-zaaf]

http://www.gazzetta.it/Ciclismo/09-02-2011/ricco-fine-corsa-8092541667.shtml

Police didn't find any evidence at Ricco's house, related to blood doping or transfusions. They found some pills, but I think that are sleep pills (just like they were at the last raid).

It seems the doctor left some kind of report for Ricco's wife who was away at the time, in which is stated that "it looks like a case of blood transfusion". Maybe that's where all the fuss comes from.

Moreover, in another news article today it was stated that Ricco was not able to talk at all yesterday.

I really wonder what the general thought will be if this turns out to be a gigantic mistake.
That would be soooooo funny.

 

[luckyboy]

ahaha, good to see Bettini the dealer weighing in.

 

[131313]

With multiple organ failure, he'll be lucky to live at all.

BTW, does anyone have any information about Riccó's actual physical condition? The news search engines are only filled with articles reporting on either the investigation or a potential sacking by his team.

If were going to die, he's almost certainly be dead already. That at least is my understanding of sepsis. Mortality increases exponentially with the delay of treatment, and he was treated pretty quickly, from what the existing reports say. Conversely, survival rates increase exponentially as well from time of treatment.

He'll probably be in the hospital for a while, and the real long-term question will be kidney function. The only reports out there say that he's no longer critical and is recovering, which honestly is about all there is to say at this point. It will be a while before the long-term affects on his kidneys will be known.

Above that, his family are the only ones in a position to report on his health.

 

[Hematide]

according to an interview with D. Luyckx, Ricco denies.

also according to this biciclismo article:
http://www.biciciclismo.com/cas/site/noticias-ficha.asp?id=35435

edith oops the biciclismo link was already posted 3 pages back

 

[Ferminal]

Part of me thinks it's best that Ricco cops jail, or a ban for this, because it might be what's needed to stop him from doing something stupid and hurting himself once more.

Part of me is unsure what Ricco has beyond cycling, and fears for what state he will be in if that is ripped from underneath him.

Part of me loves Ricco the cyclist, the way he races, the way he gets on others' nerves.

There are no winners here.

 

[131313]

according to an interview with D. Luyckx, Ricco denies.

also according to this biciclismo article:
http://www.biciciclismo.com/cas/site/noticias-ficha.asp?id=35435

edith oops the biciclismo link was already posted 3 pages back

This is the least surprising thing I've read in a while. Excited hospital utterances denied....where have we heard this before?


If he goes down this path, it'll be interesting to see how the clinic folks will rationalize their new-found anti-hero/victim??

 

[nowhereman]

I do. I see Ricco as a brash, foolish young man who cheated to support his career, his ego, and his family. I don't know his background but I wonder whether he had many other options that would have secured financial success. I don't like it, I don't agree with it, but I can understand it. If it is true about the self-administered transfusion, this only shows us how important it is to join a team with a safe, sophisticated doping program or use the services of an independent expert. Neither option was likely available to Ricco at this low point of his career.

I agree with those who have suggested Ricco will be labeled as a rotten apple in a clean, fresh barrel of fruit. Kick 'em while they're down and hope to God the truth doesn't get out.

The riders who tweeted their contempt while he's still lying in a hospital bed are douchebags. There is a time and a place to show some humanity. And if you want to speak out, don't stop with Ricco. Man up and sling your arrows at the other guys just like him.

EVERYBODY! please read the above! this must have been written in an effort to justify doping: The poor boy wasn't in a sophisticated enough team to satisfy his doping schemes properly, and now that he was at a low point, after being busted once, even guys like Ferrari ar Fuentes wouldn't go near him, to help him along with his doping desires.
Why don't you come right out ( or as you like to put it: MAN UP) and say it: You want Doping to be legalized. Then we could just have a World Tour of Doping Champions. May the best man and his doctors win.
BTW, you and many others on this thread don't know Ricco like his competitors in the peloton do. So, I cut them a bit of slack when they pronounce so harshly on that SOB. I get a feeling they know exactly what a dirt bag he truly is. So what you got on the tweet lines is exactly how they felt. You might not like what they said, but at least they can't be accused of hypocrisy on this count.

 

[Ferminal]

. Then we could just have a World Tour of Doping Champions.

As opposed to a sport where the winners are Contador, Schleck, Cancellara, Basso, Vinokourov etc?

 

[BotanyBay]

So what you got on the tweet lines is exactly how they felt. You might not like what they said, but at least they can't be accused of hypocrisy on this count.

Unless they're throwing him under the bus so they can divert attention from themselves. I don't seem them towing a "Doping sucks" banner most other days of the year. As a matter of fact, most of them are downright QUIET about the subject all season long.

(scapegoat comment removed)

 

[Anonymous]

You're winding me up now? Have a look down the list of positives from 2010 and count the bmc riders... there's more than one... so yea in all likelihood they are a team of dopers. If you win you dope because you have to dope to win... it's really very simple and if you think otherwise you have either never raced or have severe mental health issues.

So people with severe mental health issues cant make logical decisions?

For what its worth, I have mental health issues, and Im not the only person on this forum. Mental Health issues do NOT effect your ability to make decisions. It very much depends on what type of issues you have. Some of us just have to think a little longer about our decisions. thats all.

Maybe consider using a more general term such as "stupid" or "an idiot" rather than making assumptions about mental health. Many thanks.

 

[Arnout]

I really wonder what the general thought will be if this turns out to be a gigantic mistake.
That would be soooooo funny.

General thought won't change on this forum.

 

[luckyboy]

Part of me thinks it's best that Ricco cops jail, or a ban for this, because it might be what's needed to stop him from doing something stupid and hurting himself once more.

I don't know about jail. Part of me always thinks about how harsh the punishment is gonna be while we all know there's hundreds of other guys out there doing the same thing, and in this case insulting/mocking/laughing at him whilst they are doing it. I mean, these guys must know full well that something like this could befall them some day.

Anyway, it remains to be seen what evidence there actually will be other than the 'confession'.

 

[Susan Westemeyer]

according to an interview with D. Luyckx, Ricco denies.

also according to this biciclismo article:
http://www.biciciclismo.com/cas/site/noticias-ficha.asp?id=35435

edith oops the biciclismo link was already posted 3 pages back

Has anyone actually seen the interview in which Luyckx said this? And if you will note, the Bici article has been edited, with any references to him or "the Dutch media" being removed.

I talked to Luyckx today and he said he could not confirm the statement that Ricco had denied it.

Susan

 

[Escarabajo]

This is the least surprising thing I've read in a while. Excited hospital utterances denied....where have we heard this before?


If he goes down this path, it'll be interesting to see how the clinic folks will rationalize their new-found anti-hero/victim??

I still wish him speedy recovery. I does not mean that I don't want him banned. Two different things.

 

[BotanyBay]

If he has kidney failure, his racing days are over. Once they fail, they don't usually magically "re-start". So don't worry about a ban or his team sacking him. That's immaterial.

 

[ak-zaaf]

General thought won't change on this forum.

It's more about the Media and fellow riders.
The amount of hatred spilled by both is astonishing since there is no hard evidence that this is in fact a doping case.
I mean, the story sounds plausible and is very likely, but you would expect some restraint from at least the media outlets.

 

[Benotti69]

I don't know about jail. Part of me always thinks about how harsh the punishment is gonna be while we all know there's hundreds of other guys out there doing the same thing, and in this case insulting/mocking/laughing at him whilst they are doing it. I mean, these guys must know full well that something like this could befall them some day.

Anyway, it remains to be seen what evidence there actually will be other than the 'confession'.

this was what ate up Pantani. he got caught but others didn't and he thought it was so so unfair.......

If it transpires that Ricco didn't transfuse whose gonna believe him?