Floyd, and some likely caving by Chris Carmichael and others who no longer suckled at the teat of Armstrong. A few friends that did stints coaching in Carmichael's system and didn't race in Armstrong's early days wondered how Chris could claim such credentials. The secret was in the secrets....he knew Lance when he was a Junior under USAC. Other riders who toiled in that system suggested Carmichael was an empty coaching source.Floyd.
I'm reading Tyler Hamilton's book and Lance himself called the UCI on Tyler when TH dropped him on Mont Ventoux. TH writes that the UCI likes to protect its own, especially young superstars. I think eventually someone gets jealous or angry enough that they whistleblow--they can't stand the abuse of power, they're tired of getting popped and living in fear all the time, etc. Any bets on who will crack or get popped first?
As I noted above the top guys are very visable and adored by their countrymen and most other riders respect them. Lance was clearly another type of businessman and sought out the same sort of guys to cover for him.
Will Tadej's gregarios get tired of him pushing furious paces, making them work hard when they're already ahead? Will his success go to his head and make him arrogant and difficult?
I get what you're saying, but who would be willing to pop him seeing as he seems so well-liked by all involved?
The first question is a possibility but few of those guys are looking to lose a job.
What do you mean uninformed though? Press are asking all the other riders what they think and they're basically calling him an extraterrestrial. If press ask him, I'm sure it'll be the same old same old: I've never failed a test, talking about his diet and crank arms lengths, sure sure. Just like LA changing to high cadence on climbs
I don't know that he's well liked by all the peloton. I would say more seemingly indifferent arm's length tolerance. I can see Remco flapping his arms about Pog after the mystery of them doing the same watts and Remco getting dropped. People like Roglic and Bardet in interviews are giving the "he's an extraterrestrial...eh" vibe. The fairy tale can't last forever.
This. Ayuso seems a bit of a black sheep and I keep hearing he has issues with some on the team.
The proving part is the most difficult. These are not the times of bags dropped off on mountain side roads and team members queing up in the team bus. The best are totally and discreetly in charge of their details. Seems like most opportunities to bust arise out of handlers and enhancement providers getting caught serving lesser customers to cash in and those guys get caught.
Are there any other riders that fit into your consideration as bad actors? Seems like your post count is directed at one guy when several claim to be hitting their "best numbers".
The problem the UCI has is the entire peloton seems to be jacked up on something, so busting anyone is hard as they're all doing their "best numbers" (which makes a certain Slovenian even more suspect).
Especially with Bardet I got the distinct feeling he was biting his tongue to not just flat-out accuse him.
Not sure Ayuso's entitled non team player attitudes at UAE have any link whatsoever to Pogi's doping? Ayuso seems a bit delusional about where he sits in that team. He hasn't been reliable support for Pog and that was evident at the Tour before he dropped out. Almeida showed how it should be done.
That's why a second tier rider having career "numbers" and results will be where they'll start after the current UCI guy gets his dream job and leaves.
More evidence the biological passport is great in theory but not in practice. Since the 2020 Giro there seems a step up in the peloton. I wonder how hard the UCI is really trying? Not sure they want to catch any big fish let alone Pogacar. Much easier to let the show go on.
You make several assumptions about aero advantage and larger body mass....I can tell you that bigger rouleurs can murder small, tired guys on the flats; particularly if the smaller guys are tired or there is a wind.
100% this about letting the show go on. Keep hearing "Pogi is so well liked." Just curious how long that will last
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