The Climb (Froome's first autobiography)

[biokemguy]

Isn't that pretty hard/expensive? Especially for Kenya? Or is this just business as usual sending blood samples around the globe?

I would think business as usual. I've sent and received protein samples to collaborators around the world without too much trouble.

 

[DirtyWorks]

UCI started their blood profiling in 2008.
WADA's Athletes Biological Passport was introduced in 2009.
What kind of laboratories did UCI use from the start? Did UCI go from their own system to WADA's right away? Assuming there were no WADA accredited laboratories for ABP tests prior to WADA's own ABP program, what labs did UCI use from the start? How was it done in 2010?

All the actors are mentioned here:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/lau...armstrong-key-to-beating-epo-test-says-tygart

Going back to Armstrong's "failed" tests, one of the glorious details generally lost in these discussions is Saugy's lab re-arranging the order of the A and B samples so Armstrong never tests positive. Hein stated truthfully that there was never a Test(??) positive from, I believe, the TdS because of the way the tests were returned to the UCI. Brilliant work all around.

In the modern era, this is theoretically not possible as the lab cannot associate a name with a sample. This was fixed after the Contador positive was leaked.

Again, cyclists can go positive every week and when the UCI sends the positive into a black hole the process before and after really doesn't matter. So, while there are a couple of loopholes closed, the anti-doping authority (mostly UCI) remains in control of doping controversy.

 

[thehog]

Did the excerpts with the JV negotiations ever get posted anywhere?

Not nearly as exciting as I first thought. Make your own minds up at the way dealt with by Froome.

 

[DirtyWorks]

Specific tests apply for specific conditions.

This cannot be emphasized enough. Especially when it comes to PED detection.

One of the really cool tricks in the WADA code is the anti-doping authority (mostly UCI) uses their event-testing budget as they see fit. So, it's fine to run tests for PED's on cyclist samples that ONLY weightlifters would use, or other ancient PEDs that are easy to detect and not very good anyway. Plenty of testing activity and no positives unless the athlete is an idiot.

Testosterone test gets honorable mention here as not only is the T/E ratio unprobably high to permit the abuse, second, the low-cost is run that only checks ratio. It's not the CiR test for synthetics.

Never tested positive was never so easy!

 

[SundayRider]

I tweeted Henderson asked if he had read Froome book his reply was 'I have learned trumpet and violin since. He will hear everything come tdf'

 

[LaFlorecita]

I tweeted Henderson asked if he had read Froome book his reply was 'I have learned trumpet and violin since. He will hear everything come tdf'

Awesome

 

[thehog]

I tweeted Henderson asked if he had read Froome book his reply was 'I have learned trumpet and violin since. He will hear everything come tdf'

Ha! He told me it was a pot plant and not a doorstep.

I think Henderson will become the official icon of the Clinic!

 

[pastronef]

I tweeted Henderson asked if he had read Froome book his reply was 'I have learned trumpet and violin since. He will hear everything come tdf'

wow wow wow. Hendy is preparing something for July

Wednesday July 9, Arenberg. Chris, remember this date. Be aware it will me total madness and war.
Bring Wiggo, it's better for you and your team

 

[hrotha]

Looking forward to Lotto trying to destroy Sky on the cobbles while OPQS does the same to Movistar.

 

[Netserk]

Looking forward to Lotto trying to destroy Sky on the cobbles while OPQS does the same to Movistar.

If only it was the Lotto team of 5(+) years ago...

 

[DirtyWorks]

Looking forward to Lotto trying to destroy Sky on the cobbles while OPQS does the same to Movistar.

With what? He can lose time on the cobbles and do another day or three destroying all in the mountains/TT with his current (June 2014) form.

This is why this year's TdF is already boring. You know it's going to be Froome going alien and everyone else looking like the amateurs from the local cafe run.

If we're really lucky, the British stages turn out to be narrow-enough, hilly-enough, twisty-enough to really mess with Froome's standings. And then, top it off with the cobbled stage in France. Sky had a good DS for the Classics this year, let's hope he stays home for the TdF and they get the joker who managed the Olympics race.

Granted, he's done himself no favors with this book. But he's got the power to shut them all up and *everyone* that matters knows it.

 

[Nathan12]

With what? He can lose time on the cobbles and do another day or three destroying all in the mountains/TT with his current (June 2014) form.

This is why this year's TdF is already boring. You know it's going to be Froome going alien and everyone else looking like the amateurs from the local cafe run.

If we're really lucky, the British stages turn out to be narrow-enough, hilly-enough, twisty-enough to really mess with Froome's standings. And then, top it off with the cobbled stage in France. Sky had a good DS for the Classics this year, let's hope he stays home for the TdF and they get the joker who managed the Olympics race.

Granted, he's done himself no favors with this book. But he's got the power to shut them all up and *everyone* that matters knows it.

If he loses enough time though, he'll have to really go nuts in the mountains. I want to see 7W/Kg and above. I believe in Froome...

 

[The Hitch]

Words are cheap. I'll believe lotto doing **** because one of their domestiques got slighted by froome when I see it.

But of course froome losing say 4 minutes on the cobbles would be the dream. Close enough that he would still have a big chance to win. Far enough that he would have to go full effect on some mountains.

 

[Nathan12]

Words are cheap. I'll believe lotto doing **** because one of their domestiques got slighted by froome when I see it.

But of course froome losing say 4 minutes on the cobbles would be the dream. Close enough that he would still have a big chance to win. Far enough that he would have to go full effect on some mountains.

This. Although I'd also love to see how he'd ride if he had no chance to win. I think he could manage a 200k solo Alpine break easily.

 

[BYOP88]

Words are cheap. I'll believe lotto doing **** because one of their domestiques got slighted by froome when I see it.

But of course froome losing say 4 minutes on the cobbles would be the dream. Close enough that he would still have a big chance to win. Far enough that he would have to go full effect on some mountains.

2010 Frank Schleck result would be nice.

Yes I know it's not cool to wish that on anyone, but..

 

[Franklin]

I would think business as usual. I've sent and received protein samples to collaborators around the world without too much trouble.

I do read about organs being flown over in great haste so I should not be surprised (I just don't know these things). A few more questions:

1. How fast does it go? I know organs can be sent around the globe with great haste, but I would assume biosamples take a tad longer?
2. Is there a UPS style organisation specialized in bio/med fast transport? (Just my insatiable curiosity, really a bit OT)
3. Are there different packages? (rates for superior handling etc.?)

 

[Franklin]

Words are cheap. I'll believe lotto doing **** because one of their domestiques got slighted by froome when I see it.
.

I'd assume Hendy rides past and says Froome some choice words and that's the end of it.

 

[Arnout]

With what? He can lose time on the cobbles and do another day or three destroying all in the mountains/TT with his current (June 2014) form.

This is why this year's TdF is already boring. You know it's going to be Froome going alien and everyone else looking like the amateurs from the local cafe run.

If we're really lucky, the British stages turn out to be narrow-enough, hilly-enough, twisty-enough to really mess with Froome's standings. And then, top it off with the cobbled stage in France. Sky had a good DS for the Classics this year, let's hope he stays home for the TdF and they get the joker who managed the Olympics race.

Granted, he's done himself no favors with this book. But he's got the power to shut them all up and *everyone* that matters knows it.

The only thing that can really change is all riders ganging up against Froome (which might've happened regardless of the book). Contador today in the Dauphin

 

[Arnout]

With what? He can lose time on the cobbles and do another day or three destroying all in the mountains/TT with his current (June 2014) form.

This is why this year's TdF is already boring. You know it's going to be Froome going alien and everyone else looking like the amateurs from the local cafe run.

If we're really lucky, the British stages turn out to be narrow-enough, hilly-enough, twisty-enough to really mess with Froome's standings. And then, top it off with the cobbled stage in France. Sky had a good DS for the Classics this year, let's hope he stays home for the TdF and they get the joker who managed the Olympics race.

Granted, he's done himself no favors with this book. But he's got the power to shut them all up and *everyone* that matters knows it.

The only thing that can really change is all riders ganging up against Froome (which might've happened regardless of the book). Contador today in the Dauphin

 

[Arnout]

With what? He can lose time on the cobbles and do another day or three destroying all in the mountains/TT with his current (June 2014) form.

This is why this year's TdF is already boring. You know it's going to be Froome going alien and everyone else looking like the amateurs from the local cafe run.

If we're really lucky, the British stages turn out to be narrow-enough, hilly-enough, twisty-enough to really mess with Froome's standings. And then, top it off with the cobbled stage in France. Sky had a good DS for the Classics this year, let's hope he stays home for the TdF and they get the joker who managed the Olympics race.

Granted, he's done himself no favors with this book. But he's got the power to shut them all up and *everyone* that matters knows it.

The only thing that can really change is all riders ganging up against Froome (which might've happened regardless of the book). Contador today in the Dauphine was #2 but wasn't willing at all to work with or against Froome, preferring to just follow. If Froome bites again and again like he did today and Saxo and Astana have some decent other guy high up in the GC they might be able to put some time on him in one or two stages (which isn't gonna win them the GC but will at least be entertaining) but that's a lot of if's and buts already.

I think the Tour will be processional. I'm also expecting team Sky to be a lot stronger, there is no doubt in my mind Porte will be up there.

 

[Arnout]

With what? He can lose time on the cobbles and do another day or three destroying all in the mountains/TT with his current (June 2014) form.

This is why this year's TdF is already boring. You know it's going to be Froome going alien and everyone else looking like the amateurs from the local cafe run.

If we're really lucky, the British stages turn out to be narrow-enough, hilly-enough, twisty-enough to really mess with Froome's standings. And then, top it off with the cobbled stage in France. Sky had a good DS for the Classics this year, let's hope he stays home for the TdF and they get the joker who managed the Olympics race.

Granted, he's done himself no favors with this book. But he's got the power to shut them all up and *everyone* that matters knows it.

The only thing that can really change is all riders ganging up against Froome (which might've happened regardless of the book). Contador today in the Dauphin

 

[biokemguy]

I do read about organs being flown over in great haste so I should not be surprised (I just don't know these things). A few more questions:

1. How fast does it go? I know organs can be sent around the globe with great haste, but I would assume biosamples take a tad longer?
2. Is there a UPS style organisation specialized in bio/med fast transport? (Just my insatiable curiosity, really a bit OT)
3. Are there different packages? (rates for superior handling etc.?)

We used Fedex. There's just additional paper work and that's as much for customs officials as it is for the shipper. All sorts of chemicals have to move around the world all the time on both large and small scale. Getting a bit of blood to a lab for testing within a 1.5 day window is not difficult (not cheap either). Logistics is a whole industry that has these problems figured out, so the excuse that a cyclist is too remote to test is red herring IMO.

 

[purcell]

There hasn't been much to watch in the Tour for many years. A guess a couple of years between the Armstrong farce and the Sky farce, but other than that, the Tour is a dead bore most of the time now.

 

[Beech Mtn]

So when the testers visit Henao in Colombia, and call him to say they will be an hour late - are they collecting blood at his place? Or taking him to a blood collection place?

And does this mean the quarterly health tests are included in the ~3 BP tests on average, per rider per year that are mentioned as part of the BP testing? Or is it just a health check and the blood parameter result (?) does not get used as part of the BP?

My take is that these are the quarterly health checks the UCI has athletes do to prove they are healthy enough to race (the same sort of tests that Matt White sent Trent Lowe to Dr. Del Moral's clinic for, which caused all the brouhaha and eventually saw White leave Garmin for OGE.)

For me, the issue would be if these quarterly UCI health checks are being included in the biopassport numbers of tests performed. Because they would be tests that are extremely easy to fool, given that the athlete makes an appointment with a doctor's office to go in and be checked, have blood drawn, etc. You would know exactly when you are being tested and could thus ensure your blood parameters would be stable. Hopefully the biopassport doesn't rely overly heavily on only these prearranged quarterly health checks. (And that's an issue worth investigating - I don't know the answer.)

Yes. This sounds correct. But you wouldn't be asking the testers who collect the blood to "test it for everything including tropical diseases".

All they are doing is collecting a sample of blood.

So the Dawg's BS story about asking the UCI to test is just that... BS.

Yes, you could ask the tester to check for everything if it's a quarterly test like what Lowe did at Del Moral's, where they send the results to the UCI and also to your team. Those quarterly checks are nothing like an actual OOC dope test.

 

[proffate]

We used Fedex. There's just additional paper work and that's as much for customs officials as it is for the shipper. All sorts of chemicals have to move around the world all the time on both large and small scale. Getting a bit of blood to a lab for testing within a 1.5 day window is not difficult (not cheap either). Logistics is a whole industry that has these problems figured out, so the excuse that a cyclist is too remote to test is red herring IMO.

dunno if you can use fedex for blood samples or if you need to maintain a strict "chain of custody"