So, what is the generally feeling about those riders that have doped, gotten caught, denied and denied, and then admitted they doped, like Hamilton (obviously, the subject of this thread), Landis, Ullrich, Riis, etc..?
It kind of seems like people in this forum are okay with dopers...as long as they admit they are dopers. Seems to me that if someone is a cheat, and it upsets you that they are a cheat, it shouldn't really change your mind if they admit to it, but it sure seems people rally around and even praise them for 'coming clean' about doping (kind of ironic phrasing).
I have long maintained a mindset that doping is going on and if they get caught, they get caught. I am no more or less a fan of them for it.
I am a fan of all mentioned above as well as Armstrong, Contador, and Schleck, who have been 'caught', but still plead innocent.
There is one bit of truth in what Liggett said in his now infamous interview, and that is that doping will only put you over the top by a small percentage. It will not miraculously make a champion out of a run of the mill rider...especially when all of the top contenders around you are doping as well.
Also, can anyone point to a great rider in the last 30 years and say...I can say without a single doubt, they have not doped? I can always hope they didn't, but I have no doubt that I will always have my doubts about every rider close to the front...but that will not stop me from cheering.