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BBC Sport said:Giampaolo Caruso, of ONCE, was handed a six-month ban for testing positive for nandrolone during a race in Australia on 29 April.
The Gnome said:This guy Turtur sounds great..."not sure"..."pretty sure"..."I think so"..." I don't think there were other positives" ect...wasn't this the race where they had to scrounge up a million bucks to get lance to appear? It's been awhile so correct me if I have that wrong...
The Gnome said:...wasn't this the race where they had to scrounge up a million bucks to get lance to appear? It's been awhile so correct me if I have that wrong...
The Gnome said:right...thanks...of course it had to be the comeback...wonder who paid that? that race get government help?
Lance Armstrong backs Mike Rann to win South Australian election
by: Pia Akerman
From: The Australian
January 14, 2010 3:59PM
CYCLING superstar Lance Armstrong today predicted Mike Rann would win the South Australian election, describing his friend `Ranny' as an "old pro".
Appearing with Mr Rann at a joint press conference today, Armstrong emphasised his strong personal relationship with the premier and said he would like to see Mr Rann returned for a third term in March.
“To be honest I don't know who he is running against,” Armstrong said. “I think it's safe to say that over the course of the last 12 months we've become friends ... I've gotten to know the man on a personal level.
“What people don't see is throughout the year we constantly communicate and keep in touch on things that he is doing here in South Australia, but also things that are going on in our world.”
It is common knowledge the Rann government last year paid Armstrong to make his return to professional cycling at Adelaide's Tour Down Under.
The government has refused to reveal the sum, but it is estimated to be at least $2 million.
The Gnome said:gee...now there is a softball any first year journalism student ought to be able to pound outta the park...I remember he got a ton of public money from Ireland as well...if journalists don't go after such obvious stuff like that then they are truly useless...those kinda takedowns are gimmes...
Dear Wiggo said:Definitely.
Premier Mike Rann paid for it - photo opps galore - the race does not exist without SA government support.
Look what $2M (2009) + $2M (2010) of appearance fees buys you: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/nat...tralian-election/story-e6frgczx-1225819277319
Dear Wiggo said:Entirely OT, but can you point me to any Ireland + Lance stories? Google is crap for "LA" search at the moment. Any search terms other than the obvious would be appreciated.
Dear Wiggo said:Entirely OT, but can you point me to any Ireland + Lance stories? Google is crap for "LA" search at the moment. Any search terms other than the obvious would be appreciated.
The Gnome said:I am having no luck either...you are right about google...I think he got around a million, maybe more...if I remember right, folks were abit peeved when he pulled out after it started to rain...took his cash and went home...
The Gnome said:I am having no luck either...you are right about google...I think he got around a million, maybe more...if I remember right, folks were abit peeved when he pulled out after it started to rain...took his cash and went home...
thehog said:Quick high level review.
The race was moved and shortened to accommodate his appearance fee.
It rained everyday. He pulled out. He barely was seen at the race - you could tell he just didn't give a f&ck.
The race already had funding issues so paying for Armstrong was a a gamble.
The race died the following year.
There was lots of McQuaid family conflict going on.
The $6m Livestrong p1ssup was post race and which turned into a boozey party with plenty of delegates bed hopping.
There's loads more but that's it for now...
Oh then lets gets into the Giro payment. That's a good one!
thehog said:At the Giro he was paid $2m to race. He was coming off the broken collarbone so his form was a little suspect even for a serial doper. The Italian press asked him one too many times if he thought he could win. They're proud people. They love their race. Armstrong had enough. He stopped talking to the Italian press all together when he was meant to be promoting the race due to the appearance fee. Day after day he ignored them despite collection the 2m.
Then he lead a riders protest on one of the stages and the peloton didn't race a final circuit which went over railway lines.
That was the end. Zomegnan had enough. It was the centenary Giro as well.
Armstrong rode a good last week. After saying he'd support Levi he often ride away from him leaving him isolated.
Dear Wiggo said:Would help explain why Zomegnan got the boot a little while later then, perhaps? Any links backing up the "refusing to talk to the Italians"? Interested to follow that up - even if I have to translate it.
Armstrong is no longer talking to the news media at the Giro, Maertens said, and will address the public only through his Web site or through his Twitter page. Armstrong wants to focus on the race and on helping his teammate Levi Leipheimer win, Maertens said.
thehog said: