Todays idiot masters fattie doper

[compete_clean]

No Canadians posting here about the Masters racer caught doping in Ontario. Would be interested to hear what people still racing think of Greg and his ban.

 

[DirtyWorks]

No Canadians posting here about the Masters racer caught doping in Ontario. Would be interested to hear what people still racing think of Greg and his ban.

I had to dig a bit for this: http://www.canadiancyclist.com/dailynews.php?id=24732

Judging by the statement, the rider hardly seems contrite. Classy.

 

[MacRoadie]

Priceless!!

Saw Seth last night at a training race and told him he's getting some mention here in the forum. Hopefully, he'll sign up and add an equally witty comment or two.

 

[gobuck]

The post Seth wrote about his brother's suicide was a heart ripper.

He should write a book about the masters racing scene.

 

[compete_clean]

I had to dig a bit for this: http://www.canadiancyclist.com/dailynews.php?id=24732

Judging by the statement, the rider hardly seems contrite. Classy.

Well - he didn't contest the results, which is refreshing.

I'm wondering what he was thinking when we spoke many years ago. I'm not exactly shy about my opposition to doping. We knew a lot of the same people in the 80s from New Zealand and racing in Europe.

 

[ebandit]

best thread Title........Ever!

and the Title kinda sums up Myself.........except I Cycle Slowly on Nothing Stronger than a Cup of Tea

Beryl Burton once said similar...........now She was an Athlete that One could Trust

the Good Ol' Days.........surely Competitors in Masters events would Remember them?

 

[BotanyBay]

Well - he didn't contest the results, which is refreshing.

I'm wondering what he was thinking when we spoke many years ago. I'm not exactly shy about my opposition to doping. We knew a lot of the same people in the 80s from New Zealand and racing in Europe.

The VN article states that he hired an expert to observe his b-sample testing, so yeah, he was contesting the results. But a rider is provisionally suspended (quietly) pending the b-sample review, and his team inadvertently discovered the suspension, and when confronted (like dude, why are you suspended... are you doping?) he admitted it to them.

Never in his wildest dreams did he think he'd get popped at a Fondo.

 

[compete_clean]

The VN article states that he hired an expert to observe his b-sample testing, so yeah, he was contesting the results. But a rider is provisionally suspended (quietly) pending the b-sample review, and his team inadvertently discovered the suspension, and when confronted (like dude, why are you suspended... are you doping?) he admitted it to them.

Never in his wildest dreams did he think he'd get popped at a Fondo.

You are referring to the guy in NY? I am referring to a guy in Canada ... who was a pretty successful racer for many years.

 

[Pastavore]

I had to dig a bit for this: http://www.canadiancyclist.com/dailynews.php?id=24732

Judging by the statement, the rider hardly seems contrite. Classy.

"It saddens me to retire from masters cycling under these circumstances but at 46 years of age my health and well being decisions will remain my priority."

That is a pretty bizarre statement. Is he trying to say he needed to use T for health and well being reasons?

 

[D-Queued]

...

Never in his wildest dreams did he think he'd get popped at a Fondo.

Was thinking some more about this.

Getting popped at a Fondo does seem strange.

Think some of his friends may have ratted on him, and that is why they tested him at the Fondo (i.e. first convenient opportunity)?

Dave.

 

[TheInternet]

Was thinking some more about this.

Getting popped at a Fondo does seem strange.

Think some of his friends may have ratted on him, and that is why they tested him at the Fondo (i.e. first convenient opportunity)?

Dave.

A 50 year old Italian also tested positive for EPO at the same event. It would either be dumb luck they discovered the 2nd cheat if they were acting on a tip to catch Anthony, or a rare situation where they were pursuing two suspected cheats.

 

[BroDeal]

Was thinking some more about this.

Getting popped at a Fondo does seem strange.

Think some of his friends may have ratted on him, and that is why they tested him at the Fondo (i.e. first convenient opportunity)?

Dave.

The Gran Fondo had to test because there was more than $100K of prizes. Anthony knew there would be testing. He went into the ride thinking a lot of really good riders would show up and he would not place. The real question is why before the finish he did not lose a bit of time when he realized he was about to place and get tested.

The riders who were tested OOC unannounced were likely targeted.

 

[DirtyWorks]

The Gran Fondo had to test because they got UCI sanctioned..

Fixed that for you.

Actually, I believe both guys popped did really well such that they qualified for testing. Which, it sounds like DA was testing his results

 

[zigmeister]

"It saddens me to retire from masters cycling under these circumstances but at 46 years of age my health and well being decisions will remain my priority."

That is a pretty bizarre statement. Is he trying to say he needed to use T for health and well being reasons?

Yes. Surprisingly some people actually use it for their health?!?!?! Gasp...you know, to be able to get up in the morning, function, go about their day, hold a job, support their families etc...and maybe they happen to train and compete in cycling for their health, fun and comraderie. Weird huh??

Cycling to most people is so insignificant in the big picture. Their health is more important, if they happen to take thyroid medication, or Test for their personal health and well-being...so be it. I don't consider the many people sucking down on their inhalers as cheaters..but they are now able to compete and ride without having an asthma attack while on the bike. Is that fair? If you are going to hold one drug/medication as evil and one as good, that is hypocrisy and ignorance. I can make argument that someone taking albuterol is cheating...but goodness gracious if they take Test and their T levels are now back up to 600ng/mL, and young guys are still running 900ng/mL naturally? That is cheating?

But, the general ignorance and stupidity of the medical community, media and general public related to men's health and hormones is beyond sophmoric.

 

[BotanyBay]

The Gran Fondo had to test because there was more than $100K of prizes. Anthony knew there would be testing. He went into the ride thinking a lot of really good riders would show up and he would not place. The real question is why before the finish he did not lose a bit of time when he realized he was about to place and get tested.

The riders who were tested OOC unannounced were likely targeted.

Because the prize was for climbing the hill fastest, not for finishing first. Remember, its a FUN RIDE, not a race. They award prizes by timing the big tough climb of the day.

 

[Oldman]

Yes. Surprisingly some people actually use it for their health?!?!?! Gasp...you know, to be able to get up in the morning, function, go about their day, hold a job, support their families etc...and maybe they happen to train and compete in cycling for their health, fun and comraderie. Weird huh??

Cycling to most people is so insignificant in the big picture. Their health is more important, if they happen to take thyroid medication, or Test for their personal health and well-being...so be it. I don't consider the many people sucking down on their inhalers as cheaters..but they are now able to compete and ride without having an asthma attack while on the bike. Is that fair? If you are going to hold one drug/medication as evil and one as good, that is hypocrisy and ignorance. I can make argument that someone taking albuterol is cheating...but goodness gracious if they take Test and their T levels are now back up to 600ng/mL, and young guys are still running 900ng/mL naturally? That is cheating?

But, the general ignorance and stupidity of the medical community, media and general public related to men's health and hormones is beyond sophmoric.

Have never agreed less. By all means take them for your health but don't race events where it is not allowed. Noone said life is fair and, for guys like this, it's hard to believe they require it for their health and then can still train enough to win races.

 

[zigmeister]

Have never agreed less. By all means take them for your health but don't race events where it is not allowed. Noone said life is fair and, for guys like this, it's hard to believe they require it for their health and then can still train enough to win races.

That is fine. Then just apply it to all medicines approved by the FDA then. Don't just stop with a handful, when there are many that allow people to go out and train and compete, when otherwise they cannot without a prescription.

The most common I mentioned. If I don't have asthma, and the is they way I was born, then that is how I race. Yet, someone else does have asthma, the way they were born, then why do they get a pass and special help from medicine to allow them to compete when otherwise they wouldn't be able to? I say sorry, if you have to take albuterol, that is the cards you were dealt. No racing for you. Same thing applies to testosterone, cortisol and all of the other hormones like thyroid. What? You take synthetic T4? No racing for you for being hypothyroid.

In fact, why don't we blood test everybody, and ensure that only people with Total Testosterone levels are 800ng/mL and below can compete. If you have higher, sorry, you have an unfair advantage naturally. That isn't fair to others in life now is it?

Hypocrisy is what it is...let's not make and have exceptions for some special group because some race organizers, or imbecile physicians somehow claim they know better and find it fair otherwise.

 

[Fatclimber]

Yes. Surprisingly some people actually use it for their health?!?!?! Gasp...you know, to be able to get up in the morning, function, go about their day, hold a job, support their families etc...and maybe they happen to train and compete in cycling for their health, fun and comraderie. Weird huh??

Cycling to most people is so insignificant in the big picture. Their health is more important, if they happen to take thyroid medication, or Test for their personal health and well-being...so be it. I don't consider the many people sucking down on their inhalers as cheaters..but they are now able to compete and ride without having an asthma attack while on the bike. Is that fair? If you are going to hold one drug/medication as evil and one as good, that is hypocrisy and ignorance. I can make argument that someone taking albuterol is cheating...but goodness gracious if they take Test and their T levels are now back up to 600ng/mL, and young guys are still running 900ng/mL naturally? That is cheating?

But, the general ignorance and stupidity of the medical community, media and general public related to men's health and hormones is beyond sophmoric.

According to the Velonews article he had won the Tour of the Battenkill as a cat5 prior to doping. Somehow I don't believe that a first year cyclist capable of doing that has a problem "getting up in the morning, function, go about their day, hold a job, support their families, etc." due to a testosterone deficiency. I'm with Oldman, once you start taking drugs on the banned list, you're excluded from competition. When you sign the contract to get your cycling license you agree to the rules and conditions, which includes not using substances on the banned list. There's plenty of fun, camaraderie, and health to be had outside of competition.

For the bolded, yes, that's cheating. That's what age group racing is for. Our natural physiology is what we all have to work with. Just because someone has a higher hematocrit doesn't mean it's OK for others to take EPO either.

I too am astounded by the ignorance and stupidity related to health issues. So many of the general public use medication to regulate so many things in their bodies. Hard to imagine having a poor diet and no exercise can cause health problems.

 

[twisted pairs]

"It saddens me to retire from masters cycling under these circumstances but at 46 years of age my health and well being decisions will remain my priority."

That is a pretty bizarre statement. Is he trying to say he needed to use T for health and well being reasons?

Greg won the age group at the 2012 version of the race I promote every spring. His positive test came 3 weeks after that race. We're not a high budget event and obviously can't test. I feel badly for the rest of that field but feel pretty powerless to stop something similar from happening next year with a different rider. I applaud the efforts of the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) to focus their attention on masters racing.

 

[Dr. Maserati]

Some guy in Texas busted today.

 

[joe_papp]

Testosterone TUE and functional hypogonadism

Have never agreed less. By all means take them for your health but don't race events where it is not allowed. Noone said life is fair and, for guys like this, it's hard to believe they require it for their health and then can still train enough to win races.

Seriously.

Plus an athlete with a genuine endocrine system failure that results in low testosterone can apply for a TUE, which, if granted, would allow them to train and race while still undergoing hormone replacement therapy. However, the standards that need to be met for the TUE to be approved are incredibly rigorous.

" It is extremely unlikely that a Therapeutic Use Exemption will be approved for "functional" hypogonadism (a diagnosis of hypogonadism based on low testosterone levels but without a defined etiology).

 The International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions specifically states that "low-normal" levels of any hormone will not justify the granting of a TUE.

 USADA will not grant TUEs for testosterone to females, including Hormone Replacement Therapies that contain testosterone, because there are permitted therapeutic alternatives available.

 The use of testosterone as an anti-aging medication for men is not justification for a TUE. Similarly, generalized fatigue, slow recovery from exercise and a decreased libido are not, in isolation, justification
for the granting of a TUE for testosterone."

All those poor ol' masters with hormone deficiencies who want to train and race while using testosterone should browse over to http://www.usada.org/uploads/testosterone-guidelines.pdf and have their endocrinologist get to work.

 

[roundabout]

And in the most hilarious news for some time a board member of the Danish Cycling Federation has tested positive for testosterone and 2 glucocorticoids in a masters race.

http://cyclingworld.dk/index.php?p=nyheder/profil.php&id=23718 (in Danish)

 

[zigmeister]

Seriously.

Plus an athlete with a genuine endocrine system failure that results in low testosterone can apply for a TUE, which, if granted, would allow them to train and race while still undergoing hormone replacement therapy. However, the standards that need to be met for the TUE to be approved are incredibly rigorous.

" It is extremely unlikely that a Therapeutic Use Exemption will be approved for "functional" hypogonadism (a diagnosis of hypogonadism based on low testosterone levels but without a defined etiology).

 The International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions specifically states that "low-normal" levels of any hormone will not justify the granting of a TUE.

 USADA will not grant TUEs for testosterone to females, including Hormone Replacement Therapies that contain testosterone, because there are permitted therapeutic alternatives available.

 The use of testosterone as an anti-aging medication for men is not justification for a TUE. Similarly, generalized fatigue, slow recovery from exercise and a decreased libido are not, in isolation, justification
for the granting of a TUE for testosterone."

All those poor ol' masters with hormone deficiencies who want to train and race while using testosterone should browse over to http://www.usada.org/uploads/testosterone-guidelines.pdf and have their endocrinologist get to work.

Just because people apply for an exemption and meet the above requirements, doesn't mean the TUE will be granted. These are just guidelines and consideration.

Most likely believe, even if having below normal levels for their age that would justify the TUE, don't even want to make an application. Once you make an application, it is clear you either 1) have intentions of taking HRT, or 2) already taking HRT/Test for the condition and testing you would return a positive obviously.

I would think many in this position would likely just take their chances of getting tested, rather tell USAC/USADA they are applying for the TUE.

Do you have statistics of how many people who have applied for TUEs have actually been approved for such?

If you apply and the application is declined (that is likely 99.999% the case), there is going to be an automatic assumption your are already taking HRT and non-approved therapies, you are a target for testing clearly and it would be easy to get a positive return on such.

Then, they would run around in the media proclaiming how they are stamping out "dopers" in the sport, when the system is rigged to never allow a TUE to begin with. I would consider the process a bait to catch people with their "cause".

Again, I will go back to my point. You have asthma...tough beans. You can't take albuterol for your asthma. That is life right?!?! That is the cards you were dealt.

If you are going to ban one thing and not another which allows you to go out and train and perform/compete, then that is hypocrisy and isn't a "level playing field."

That is life right? Nothing is fair. Exceptions for one person might not be fair to others due to their health issues, but to somebody else, might seem reasonable.

You prevent that from happening by simply banning anything/everything. No TUEs, no FDA drugs approved etc...

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Some guy in Texas busted today.

That's the guy who does triathlons, right?

 

[Oldman]

You make the wrong case:

Most likely believe, even if having below normal levels for their age that would justify the TUE, don't even want to make an application. Once you make an application, it is clear you either 1) have intentions of taking HRT, or 2) already taking HRT/Test for the condition and testing you would return a positive obviously.

I would think many in this position would likely just take their chances of getting tested, rather tell USAC/USADA they are applying for the TUE.

You just described someone willing to cheat. They make an internal judgement based on their own desired outcome. THAT IS WHAT IS WRONG WITH SPORTS.

I can take Albuterol and can get a TUE. Because the condition only really affects me when I race at certain times; I made the judgement that is was extraneous to my real life and do not take the medication.

To jump from treating real conditions for people with health problems to banning all FDA approved medications is ridiculous. The truth is in your statement above: once an athlete justifies a diversion from the rules he/she is potentially cheating. The rules are there, however flawed; to define the parameters of the game. Don't like the rules-find a different game.