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Tadej Pogacar and Mauro Giannetti

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Because there is absolutely no difference between an individual "donating" money and a relatively young company taking over the sponsorship of an event from a better known rival to gain more market share and visibility.
 
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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.

Pogacar has been out in the open so he survives well, as do most of the other major riders because Dave/Mr. UCI has no upside to trashing his sport while courting the IOC presidency. Let that happen after he gets the lifetime, unaccountable job.
 
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.

Pogacar has been out in the open so he survives well, as do most of the other major riders because Dave/Mr. UCI has no upside to trashing his sport while courting the IOC presidency. Let that happen after he gets the lifetime, unaccountable job.
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?
 
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.

Hard to say but history usually provides us with a candidate from a second tier racer/team that suddenly has results that aren't explainable. It helps if their own federation isn't in bed with them or the UCI has an axe to grind. The top guys now are independent and would work in a small circle. Visma has moved on from riders, trainers and administrators lately; there could be some disgruntled retirees from that pool but it's a guess.
 
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.

Hard to say but history usually provides us with a candidate from a second tier racer/team that suddenly has results that aren't explainable. It helps if their own federation isn't in bed with them or the UCI has an axe to grind. The top guys now are independent and would work in a small circle. Visma has moved on from riders, trainers and administrators lately; there could be some disgruntled retirees from that pool but it's a guess.
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?
 
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?
The first question is a possibility but few of those guys are looking to lose a job.
The second question....you can see him now after winning 2 Tours de France, the Giro and WCRR. He seems well adjusted and well paid.
These are the kinds of questions he may get from an aggressive and uninformed press to troll him.
 
The first question is a possibility but few of those guys are looking to lose a job.
The second question....you can see him now after winning 2 Tours de France, the Giro and WCRR. He seems well adjusted and well paid.
These are the kinds of questions he may get from an aggressive and uninformed press to troll him.
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 get what you're saying, but who would be willing to pop him seeing as he seems so well-liked by all involved?
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.
 
The only guy who seemingly has a beef with Pogi at UAE is Ayuso.
This. Ayuso seems a bit of a black sheep and I keep hearing he has issues with some on the team.

The risk/reward to publically trashing pog is a terrible equation for most. The risk is very high, the reward dubious at best. If something is happening, it would take a lot for someone to talk. And they would have to know a lot and be able to prove it.
 
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This. Ayuso seems a bit of a black sheep and I keep hearing he has issues with some on the team.

The risk/reward to publically trashing pog is a terrible equation for most. The risk is very high, the reward dubious at best. If something is happening, it would take a lot for someone to talk. And they would have to know a lot and be able to prove it.
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.
That's why I completely question comparison of anecdotal wattage calculations. Unless you have the rider's actual computer data you are estimating based on watching segments of races. Is anyone getting downloads of a complete race from any of the major performers?
 
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.
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".
 
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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).
 
Lappartient's first move was to announce that Froome had failed a doping test. He wanted to ban Froome, but could not because the WADA president was still british. I'm sure Froome's doping case would never have come to light if Cookson had stayed on as UCI president. Who knows how much bad stuff this corrupt clown has been sweeping under the carpet over the years...

When the british also lost the WADA presidency in 2020, the Skyineos' performances became much less impressive. Now you no longer see random british nobody winning Grand Tour races in a row like Froome did. The good results that INEOS achieved were mainly due to the talented foreigners like Bernal, Kwiatkowski, van Baarle..
View: https://youtu.be/tAH9I5O5pHM?si=8LkWjGVxs4XwGpA6
 
This. Ayuso seems a bit of a black sheep and I keep hearing he has issues with some on the team.

The risk/reward to publically trashing pog is a terrible equation for most. The risk is very high, the reward dubious at best. If something is happening, it would take a lot for someone to talk. And they would have to know a lot and be able to prove it.
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.

Ayuso is only 22. But if he was really that confident of his ability he should forget money and go to another team where he is the number one rider. Except he just signed with UAE until 2028. When Ayuso signed that contract he knew all about Pogacar good, bad and ugly.
 
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).
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.
That'll show those dirty riders!
 
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