The Hog admits Treks sold on eBay

[tubularglue]

That's Novitsky's job, which is why he is talking to the people at Trek, probably getting serial numbers, dates, who received them and when, etc. Following the paper trail is what it's all about. When the paper trail ends, he calls witnesses and gets at the truth that way.

would love to see their ebay transactions, bought and sold

 

[riobonito92]

Why would a well financed team like Disco or Postal need to sell bikes for cash when most if not all of their ongoing, documented expenses (socks, kit, chamois ****'r, bikes, hotels, gasoline) are already taken care of. If not for PEDs, them what else? Strippers and blow? Either way, I think it's fraud right? And they're f*ckt?

Witness: Well, we had a cash flow problem; of course sponsors were supplying equipment and paying salaries but the money wasn't coming in on time and we had to pay hotel bills, restaurant bills and put gas in the vehicles; and we had to bribe the UCI President and we always slip the race commissaire a few notes, and you know how its always useful to have a bit of cash on hand to ease things with customs and traffic police, and, well I hate to admit it but we do sometimes fill the back pocket of riders on rival teams BUT WE DID NOT BUY ANY DRUGS.

 

[Colm.Murphy]

I'd like to see Trek's documentation of bikes allocated year by year, shipment dates and qty's, and any reports of bikes in those inventories that had been returned for warranty (and when) by a person other than the USPS team.

That Bruyneel directly comments on the money issue by stating he had no idea where the money went, then defers the furtherance of the issue to Bill Stapleton, is rather interesting.

It is hard for me to believe that Bill Stapleton was over at a team service course in Belgium or Spain, dealing bikes and other equipment out the back door, and handing the cash to mules to go fetch some EPO or hGH.

Or, that the team employee selling off the items simply turned and handed the cash to someone in senior management, apart and away from the knowledge of Bruyneel, seems unlikely.

 

[PCutter]

I may be missing something, but its completely normal to sell bikes. My understanding is the riders are often given one of their bikes a year and the team keep/sell the rest. I myself was proud purchaser of a Robbie McEwan Rabobank Colnago scandium many years ago when he returned to Aus at season end and had received the following season's ride. Best. Bike. Ever.

 

[Night Rider]

I may be missing something, but its completely normal to sell bikes.

It is, but most posters on here are confusing the well advertised sale at the end of the Disco sponsorship with what Floyd is saying about the covert sale of Postal bikes to fund drugs.

The former is fine and I'm assuming they reported it as legitimate income, the latter was obviously to raise cash for a doping program so illegal on two fronts. The US takes tax evasion pretty seriously.

 

[Colm.Murphy]

I may be missing something, but its completely normal to sell bikes. My understanding is the riders are often given one of their bikes a year and the team keep/sell the rest. I myself was proud purchaser of a Robbie McEwan Rabobank Colnago scandium many years ago when he returned to Aus at season end and had received the following season's ride. Best. Bike. Ever.

Missing. The. Point.

Intentionally avoiding the center of the issue makes it no less the center.

Trek counsel concedes it was enough of a problem they added a provision prohibiting the selling of the bikes.

The previous comment about Landis needing corroboration hits on the seriousness of this issue. For the US Feds to be honing on this topic, this quickly, could indicate that corroboration already exists, or that Trek is "playing ball" with the prosecutor.

The comment above about tax evasion is also interesting. There is either a significant amount of un-disclosed cash income to someone, or, a pass through for the purchase of massive qty's of PEDs. Either way, it is a real and central issue.

 

[velosopher54]

The previous comment about Landis needing corroboration hits on the seriousness of this issue. For the US Feds to be honing on this topic, this quickly, could indicate that corroboration already exists, or that Trek is "playing ball" with the prosecutor.

I'm certain that Trek is playing ball. They are NOT going to take the hit no matter how much they like Lance and Co. They didn't get as big as they are by being stupid. Plus, I believe them when they say the didn't know about the doping, wink wink.

 

[MacRoadie]

Long time lurker, first time poster.

You guys are all so dumb. They sell team bikes all the time....

 

[Colm.Murphy]

I'm certain that Trek is playing ball. They are NOT going to take the hit no matter how much they like Lance and Co. They didn't get as big as they are by being stupid. Plus, I believe them when they say the didn't know about the doping, wink wink.

I am imagining the conversation, Bruyneel to Trek's liaison to the team:

JB: Hello, Johan here. Well, it appears we need another batch of bikes.

Trek: Another batch? Is there something wrong with the 5 dozen we sent you?

JB: No, it is just that we need more. 3 bikes per rider is just not enough. It just won't do.

Trek: Ok, how many do you need?

JB: I am thinking we need at least another 60 or so. It has become clear that each rider should have a training bike for each day of the week. The allotment we have is barely enough for use on race-day.

Trek: Really? A separate bike for each day of the week? Sounds excessive but I will check and see what I can do.

JB: Good, because we really need to get more bikes. The team's performance and preparation depends on getting these bikes. I can't emphasize enough how the performance of the team is hinging on getting these extra 60 bikes.

Trek: Oh, I see. The performance...got it. Say no more. We'll get them out to ou this week. Anything else we can send?

JB: How about another 30 or 40 Bontrager XXX Carbon wheelsets? You know, for preparation and performance.

Trek: Of course. Should not be an issue. Don't want the team's performance or preparation to suffer. Done.

JB: Thanks. Talk to you in a few weeks.

 

[sliceofpy]

That would make an awesome TOTO comic.

 

[bobs nob]

So far the story, like this thread is all sizzle and no steak. Not to say there won't eventually be a nice juicy steak culminating in perp walks. But too few facts and too much speculation for my liking.

But carry on, anyhow.

 

[sliceofpy]

Witness: Well, we had a cash flow problem; of course sponsors were supplying equipment and paying salaries but the money wasn't coming in on time and we had to pay hotel bills, restaurant bills and put gas in the vehicles; and we had to bribe the UCI President and we always slip the race commissaire a few notes, and you know how its always useful to have a bit of cash on hand to ease things with customs and traffic police, and, well I hate to admit it but we do sometimes fill the back pocket of riders on rival teams BUT WE DID NOT BUY ANY DRUGS.

Why would LA and JB need to bribe the UCI president? Positive test?

If the other riders sing, this testimony would be B.A.D.

 

[Polish]

Using money raised from selling used equipment seems to be about the best and righteous way to buy PEDS. Most other ways are much worse and less legal. Of course, actually using the PEDS is a sticky wicket also.

That said, my sources are now telling me that Novitzsky, the chief investigator of the Balco Scandal, is planning to immediately extradite the current RadioShack team bikes from France!

Team RadioShack riders will have to gallop around the The Avenue des Champs-Élysées on Sunday riding imaginary "airbikes".

 

[riobonito92]

Brilliant - "We defrauded Trek but we did not defraud the US Postal Service so it was not a federal crime. Actually, come to think of it, we didn't even defraud Trek because they didn't specify that the 150 bikes they so naively gave us actually had to be used for racing. THERE IS NO CRIME AT ALL"

 

[Colm.Murphy]

Brilliant - "We defrauded Trek but we did not defraud the US Postal Service so it was not a federal crime. Actually, come to think of it, we didn't even defraud Trek because they didn't specify that the 150 bikes they so naively gave us actually had to be used for racing. THERE IS NO CRIME AT ALL"

Or: "Lance Armstrong holds a small ownership interest in Trek, and, as such, cannot defraud himself."

 

[Anonymous]

I wonder if Verbruggen rides a USPS Trek....

 

[redtreviso]

They told Trek they needed extra bikes because every rider had one explode every 2 or 3 days.

 

[riobonito92]

Shakespeare move over

Act 1: Trek Factory

Trek: Hey Johan, how come your guys are breaking so many of our machines?
JB: Come on, they're TREKS, it's not like we're riding Pinarellos.
Trek: O yeah, fair point, how many more do you need?

Act 2: Training Camp, Bogota, Colombia

JB: Hey Floyd, what are you doing here, you're supposed to be watching Lance's fridge?
Floyd: Johan, I just want to know why I'm still riding last year's machine when Lance has a new one.
JB: Oh, Chris says that riding a heavier bike simulates power training for the mountains.
Floyd: And another thing, why do I have a 105 groupset, I'm sure it was dura ace yesterday.
JB: Look Floyd, don't you think those down-tube levers are kinda cute, and much better for your bike handling skills. No chance of doing an "Andy Schleck" with them.

Act 3: Stage Transfer, Tour de Somewhere Not Very Important

Bus Driver: Ah S__t this bus has broken down.
JB: Oh, sorry about that, I sold the head gasket in the last town we passed through, you know, the one with the pharmacy.

To be continued.

 

[cyclestationgiuseppe]

anyone ever seen this site?

http://www.theprosstuff.com/

I especially like the used hats for $3.00 (gross) I hope they wash it first!

 

[Cal_Joe]

how long does it to take for you to polish LA's ball? Landis was on not much, that is why he left to go to Phonak for the money. The PEDs were paid for with bikes and probably the winnings that were supposed to got to riders went on PEDs so they could ride their asses off to ensure Uniballer would win and make him richer.

Mr. Bennotti69 - I am not sure you are aware of the following:

Quoting a post and changing the original posters name and the content of the quoted post may be considered a violation of forum etiquette/rules.

And it really adds to the maturity level of your posts. If you don't have the cojones to intelligently and logically respond to a post, please see the moderators about changing your user ID to something that reflects your apparent demeanor.

I realize that you are new here - please PM a mod if you are confused.

 

[Big GMaC]

Mr. Bennotti69 - I am not sure you are aware of the following:

Quoting a post and changing the original posters name and the content of the quoted post may be considered a violation of forum etiquette/rules.

And it really adds to the maturity level of your posts. If you don't have the cojones to intelligently and logically respond to a post, please see the moderators about changing your user ID to something that reflects your apparent demeanor.

I realize that you are new here - please PM a mod if you are confused.

Its Polish - No one cares as Polish is a troll anyway.

 

[Cal_Joe]

Its Polish - No one cares as Polish is a troll anyway.

Again, wrong. Another case where someone prefers to respond to a (perceived) poster instead of a post. Man up and use your brain.

 

[Cal_Joe]

Its Polish - No one cares as Polish is a troll anyway.

Big GMaC - maybe the best thing to do is post/debate this on the moderators thread in the "about the forum" subforum. Let me know if you are up to that. That way we can air things out, the mods will know about it, and you can post your opinions on why my calling out bennoti69 is inappropriate.

 

[Hawkwood]

I love it Trek bikes being sold on Ebay. Maybe Bruyneel was getting LA to place shill bids to get the price up. Does this mean Paypal has been used to launder money for drugs?

 

[Benotti69]

Mr. Bennotti69 - I am not sure you are aware of the following:

Quoting a post and changing the original posters name and the content of the quoted post may be considered a violation of forum etiquette/rules.

And it really adds to the maturity level of your posts. If you don't have the cojones to intelligently and logically respond to a post, please see the moderators about changing your user ID to something that reflects your apparent demeanor.

I realize that you are new here - please PM a mod if you are confused.

Mr Cal_Joe,

Please note the following;

"may be" - where the poster is not a troll, i respect that. But not in this case.

"cojones" - funny that when the poster is a fanboy of '1 cojone'.

"maturity" - would be realising the person you idolised is false and admitting that to oneself, rather than trying to live in a little world sucking your thumb and hoping the bad men wont take him away.

I treat trolling with contempt and the immaturity it deserves and deride it like the sad pathetic verbal vomit that polish and others keep spouting, trying sadly and failing miserably to confuse the issue in the hope that new members will keep believing the LIE.

From a new old hand at this game.