He's trying to draw young talent into cycling from other sports, and in particular, hockey. I think he's acknowledging the fact that a number of parents will hear CYCLING and think DRUGS. I suspect he's trying to move past that immediate barrier by saying: Yes, there have been lots of big doping cases in cycling, but that could and should be seen as evidence that the sport trying to fix the problem. The NHL isn't doing that.BotanyBay said:It could be that Bauer has a financial interest in whatever he's promoting, and it is in his interest to put a positive spin on things. He learned the liability of not spinning from Alexi Grewal![]()
HH, thx for the thread. I think it is important to remember who the target audience was, and the underlying message for that 'Canadian' audience. I think at this stage we should allow Mr. Bauer a great deal of latitude with respect to being a DS, or a coach and his comments on Doping.hiccuphell said:This past weekend in The Toronto Sun newspaper, an article about Steve and how he is DS for the continental SpiderTech team i.e. Team Canada and how he is seeking diamonds in the rough from local Canuk crazy hockey rinks. "You can identify talent fairly quickly in raw horsepower and take it from there."
http://www.torontosun.com/news/canada/2011/01/22/16995011.html
Whats interesting and the reason it's clinic-worthy is that he states cycling has the best anti-doping process in the world.
Below is a pic of the article's doping blurb that was tacked on in the lower corner of the print copy but oddly enough not the online version!?
Its the same rhetoric that too many omerta bound people make who continue to earn their pay check from cycling.
Another interesting point is that LA, called on Steve to DS his squad prior to his 7 TDF wins. [/IMG]
You are suggesting that the 'Canadian' audience regards cycling as dirty?Neworld said:HH, thx for the thread. I think it is important to remember who the target audience was, and the underlying message for that 'Canadian' audience. I think at this stage we should allow Mr. Bauer a great deal of latitude with respect to being a DS, or a coach and his comments on Doping.
...
DQ's,D-Queued said:You are suggesting that the 'Canadian' audience regards cycling as dirty?
If the comparison (as made above) is with respect to NA entertainment sport, likely most Canadians are not as exposed to the dog-fighting, gun-toting, coke-sniffing, and 'roid raging associated with NBA, NFL and MLBA given the reduced exposure. Heck the CFL didn't even need a drug policy. Sure Chris Benoit was a bit of a tragedy, but the Hart family are good old Canadian kids. After all, Canadian kids are so tough they don't need drugs, helmets or face guards. Right Grapes?
The only place Canadians have problems with doping is in Olympic sports like track and field. Oh, and cycling I suppose.
Dave.
As much as I would applaud it, it would be foolish to suggest that Steve, alone, try and take on the UCI. Steve, however, is a very big name in the cycling world even if he is Canadian. He is a very credible voice.mtb Dad said:Steve's always been clean that I've heard, but he also maintains relations with others in the business, like Lance. I imagine he'd have to be 'diplomatic' on his feelings about doping to do that. He's commented before on Pound's comments, and it sounded kind of weak, like Pound should go after Nor am pro sports before cycling.
I think a sign of the tipping point will be when he feels he can criticize the UCI's gaffs on anti-doping or Lance without losing his business. But that will mean he hasn't been part of getting to the tipping point. Still, running a clean team is a powerful statement by itself.
Thanks.Neworld said:Great post Dave.
But, lets go slowly in this present day. Much is happening right now, lets see if the 'head' of the snake can be cut off in the next year, and then build some antidoping momentum thereafter. Doping didn't start in a month, it will take a long time to control. I think you, Bauer and others are apart of the solution, even if it takes longer than both you and I would like.
Hang in there buddy.
NW
Canada had nothing to do with it. He was caught in France.TubularBills said:Remember that it was in Canada that David Millar was caught:
http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2004/jul04/jul20news3
Yes Sir , well put , there are no nurses aboard the Sea Tiger Sir .Silver said:I'd think that many Canadians would consider cycling to be a doping sport, along with track and field. They'd also deny that hockey has a doping problem, which is a laughable assertion. Sure, no one tests positive, but they don't test during the off season or the playoffs, and the regular season testing is laughable at best.
Does this pass the sniff test for anyone here?
http://www.tsn.ca/columnists/james_duthie/?id=335457
Most Canadians don't give any consideration to the sport of cycling. Dope or not, it barely registers on the radar.Silver said:I'd think that many Canadians would consider cycling to be a doping sport, along with track and field. They'd also deny that hockey has a doping problem, which is a laughable assertion.
To be fair to Bauer, what he's doing is not a new idea. The theory is that in most countries there is a dominant sport, but few actually make it. Those that got close generally have 'something', so it's trying to see if they have what it takes in some other sport. It's a better prospect for the sportsmen than flipping burgers. (For example Greg van Avermaet is a failed footballer).the delgados said:Most Canadians don't give any consideration to the sport of cycling. Dope or not, it barely registers on the radar.
Which is why I don't think Bauer is going to be too successful recruiting hockey players and turning them into Tour contenders in 3-5 years.
With few races and even fewer big-name riders to look up to, I don't see how a life-long hockey player is suddenly going to develop Tour aspirations by taking a fitness test.
Your point is well taken. But, look at the recent success of the Canadian Winter Olympic team. There was a program called "Own the Podium" and although some never medalled, many did. I was lucky to be close to the National Speed Skating program located in Calgary back in 2005-2007 and you might be surprised at the background(s) of some of the OTP speed skaters (Inline skaters-obviously, Road racers, soccer, track and field springers and hockey players). You may not be aware that many of the athletes who were behind the scenes competing for an Olympic spot were raising the competitive nature of most Winter sports contenders prior to the Olympics.the delgados said:Most Canadians don't give any consideration to the sport of cycling. Dope or not, it barely registers on the radar.
Which is why I don't think Bauer is going to be too successful recruiting hockey players and turning them into Tour contenders in 3-5 years.
With few races and even fewer big-name riders to look up to, I don't see how a life-long hockey player is suddenly going to develop Tour aspirations by taking a fitness test.
I'm from Canada, so I'm aware of that.the delgados said:Most Canadians don't give any consideration to the sport of cycling. Dope or not, it barely registers on the radar.
Which is why I don't think Bauer is going to be too successful recruiting hockey players and turning them into Tour contenders in 3-5 years.
With few races and even fewer big-name riders to look up to, I don't see how a life-long hockey player is suddenly going to develop Tour aspirations by taking a fitness test.
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