Tyler's Book

[runninboy]

As an aside, and this may come as a shock or may be totally unbelievable depending on your outlook, but I've heard through my little grapevine that blood doping is the next big thing in Master's racing.

There are guys out there accumulating the requisite knowledge and equipment to be able to administer blood transfusions right in the privacy of their own homes.

As a master i just don't see it. Basically not alot of stage racing for masters where blood manipulation is so important. Most masters are concerned with crits and road races. Testosterone is the fuel that is needed. I am a large rider, always have been. Guys i raced with in my twenties now outweigh me wih a total body transformation. I lined up at a crit in SoCal i looked like the Pillsbury doughboy surrounded by body builders. Huge veins on 50 year olds who used to be 5 ft 7 130lbs twenty years ago are now 5 7 165 with lower body fat than they were at 130. Then there is that roid fueled bravado. Guys go off the front solo when we are riding 28 mph avg and stay away for miles even when we are chasing at over 30.wtf? In a flat 4 corner crit? My hemocrit is usually in the mid high 40's naturally and that means diddly when guys are jacked up on steroids or amphetemenes in a road race.
Blood manipulation is crucial as a pro but as a master in one day races or weekend stage races? Doubtful.

 

[the big ring]

Bought the ebook and am slowly making my way through it. Thought the description of Riis on ~page 31 was an incredibly accurate mirror of someone else we know.

For most of his career, Riis was a decent racer: solid, but barely a contender in the big races. Then, in 1993, at twenty-seven, he went from average to incredible. He finished fifth at the Tour, with a stage win. In 1995, he finished third. By 1996, (Riis won the Tour).

Will not be posting as this user for much longer, am ramping up my literary effort. I'll rewrite it as this user for now.

For most of his career, Wiggins was a single-minded track rider, but hopeless on the road: never a contender in the big races. Then, in 2009, at twenty-nine, he went from below average to incredible. He finished fourth at the Tour, with no stage win. In 2011, he finished third at the Vuelta. In 2012, he won the Tour.

Tyler does not mention Riis' sport scientist, his warm downs, his laser like focus, his cadence or his reverse periodisation for the reason of Riis' improvement.

He knew some bike racers doped. He admits he was green, but he wasn't an idiot.

Neither are we.

 

[Cycle Chic]

Scars in General

So..Spider Scars....reading a review of the book it stated that the riders avoided getting a suntan as it showed up their spider scars....was that in the book ? cant remember that bit.

The magazine also reviewed Victoria Pendleton's autobiography. It said she self-harmed...she has scars on her arms. Whats up with that ??

 

[ToreBear]

So..Spider Scars....reading a review of the book it stated that the riders avoided getting a suntan as it showed up their spider scars....was that in the book ? cant remember that bit.

The magazine also reviewed Victoria Pendleton's autobiography. It said she self-harmed...she has scars on her arms. Whats up with that ??

I don't remember that bit either.

People who do self harm usually don't harm themselves with needles, and the areas scarred from needle use are likely not the same ones scarred from self harm.

 

[RichWalk]

I don't remember that bit either.

People who do self harm usually don't harm themselves with needles, and the areas scarred from needle use are likely not the same ones scarred from self harm.

The BBC here did an hour long prog on her, from what I gathered her father was a self obsessed pushy parent and VP is a pretty emotional type to boot, despite here sucess I found it all very sad indeed.

 

[Ozzie2]

^^^, well, at least not your everyday "normal" idiots.

;-)

 

[StyrbjornSterki]

...As an aside, and this may come as a shock or may be totally unbelievable depending on your outlook, but I've heard through my little grapevine that blood doping is the next big thing in Master's racing....

Tyler mentions a chance encounter with a couple of American minor league baseball players in the mid-2000s who were blood boosting. I would be surprised if the same technology hadn't made its way into at least the elite categories of amateur roadracing.

He does write that suntanning made the needle scars more visible, but I don't recall the expression "spider scars." He goes on to say he told anyone who inquired that the scars were the result of bicycle crashes. Although I haven't the foggiest how one would sustain damage to the crook of one elbow, much less both, in a bicycle crash.

What seemed most unusual to me is how he paints Pharmstrong as such a sinister figure, yet he can't not express admiration for him. It almost comes across as a sort of codependent relationship. Or Stockholm Syndrome, not sure which.

Two points made nearer the end of the book gave me great hope. One was that Novitzky and his associates believe their case against Pharmstrong was boiler plate, and were dismayed their investigation had been shut down, apparently for political expediency during a USA presidential election year. The other was that USADA was being swamped by offers of pertinent testimony in the wake of announcing they were suspending Pharmstrong for life. Which means there remains the chance the publication of the USADA evidence could spark a public outcry that will prompt the re-opening of the Novitzky/FLandis case.

 

[ferryman]

Just finished it. My eyes have been opened big style and I'm not a novice. My mind boggles at what else USADA are going to through at Armstrong on the back Tyler's and the other's statements.

 

[PACONi]

I just finished the book a few days ago. What got me was how cavalier LA seemed to be towards discovery of his stash. Just leaving your Edgar in the fridge door seems a bit silly. I had always figured that he would be a lot more discreet than that.
The other thing was Fuentes. What a ******!

 

[Ozzie2]

Just finished it. My eyes have been opened big style and I'm not a novice. My mind boggles at what else USADA are going to through at Armstrong on the back Tyler's and the other's statements.

Same

I read Millars book the week before, and it almost seems like even he was unaware of jus thow deep it was

Or did he just show the world (via his book) that he was not going to name names and sink people, by not referring to the things that you would think he would have been aware of (having read TH's book)?

Or was he "a dumb non continental" and thought he was one of a few?

 

[BroDeal]

Same

I read Millars book the week before, and it almost seems like even he was unaware of jus thow deep it was

Or did he just show the world (via his book) that he was not going to name names and sink people, by not referring to the things that you would think he would have been aware of (having read TH's book)?

Or was he "a dumb non continental" and thought he was one of a few?

The whole truth would spoil the fairy tale.

 

[clotho2]

1. "Telling the truth" has little to do with any court case Lance has ever been involved in (let alone his life in general).

2. Waiting on the fat lady. (As far as I can see, she still hasn't even gotten the invitation.)

I sadly must agree with you. lance armstrong has once again lied. He has not given up fighting the charges. What he has done is made the public, his fans, and those trusting cancer patients his frontmen(his voice) while he stands above them pulling strings. I see his treachery all over the so-called default win UCI just gained. Obviously armstrong and UCI are still two peas in the same pod.

While I must give Tyler, and Floyd a nod of gratitude for their willingness to stand up to the doping and UCI, I must still condemn their doping. As for lance armstrong, I find him to be a detestable, despicable person. Calling him a man would be an injustice to real men everywhere. He doesn't even have the backbone to support his TEAMmates after they supported him with those 7 doped TDF wins. Some Captain he is. I wonder if he'll step up and help the mother of his children. Hmm... I doubt it!. lance seems to be the every man/woman for themselves type.

As for UCI, it needs to be sanitized like a used operating room. UCI has no intentions of stopping the doping in cycling. They obviously only care about UCI's standing even at the cost of cycling going down the drain. With enough pressure American tv could probably easily not carry any cycling events. I don't see how NBCSports has the nerve to support such an embattled sport in the first place. But then, no sponsor has had enough respect for itself to drop armstrong. They just couldn't wait to drop Woods for a matter that was between he and his wife, yet this guy who doped his way to 7 TDFs is still on their payrolls. Amazing!

Well, riders, it's up to you guys and gals to stop UCI. They will not confess and you riders are just giving UCI power to complete demolish you from now on, since the doping problem is in the open. You riders must become a cohesive force to put UCI down, to stop their lies. Call a press conference and you guys tell all you know about doping and UCI's coverup of doping and possible acceptances of "Contributions." ONLY YOU GUYS CAN SAVE YOUR SPORT. ONLY YOU CAN STOP UCI. NOW IS THE TIME TO JOIN TOGETHER AND SAVE YOUR SPORT. I'l rather take my chances with USADA and WADA than UCI.

 

[clotho2]

Tyler mentions a chance encounter with a couple of American minor league baseball players in the mid-2000s who were blood boosting. I would be surprised if the same technology hadn't made its way into at least the elite categories of amateur roadracing.

He does write that suntanning made the needle scars more visible, but I don't recall the expression "spider scars." He goes on to say he told anyone who inquired that the scars were the result of bicycle crashes. Although I haven't the foggiest how one would sustain damage to the crook of one elbow, much less both, in a bicycle crash.

What seemed most unusual to me is how he paints Pharmstrong as such a sinister figure, yet he can't not express admiration for him. It almost comes across as a sort of codependent relationship. Or Stockholm Syndrome, not sure which.

Two points made nearer the end of the book gave me great hope. One was that Novitzky and his associates believe their case against Pharmstrong was boiler plate, and were dismayed their investigation had been shut down, apparently for political expediency during a USA presidential election year. The other was that USADA was being swamped by offers of pertinent testimony in the wake of announcing they were suspending Pharmstrong for life. Which means there remains the chance the publication of the USADA evidence could spark a public outcry that will prompt the re-opening of the Novitzky/FLandis case.

I also thought it tied apron stingish that Tyler went to another team and when asked about USPS and armstrong, lied. It wasn't until Floyd clued him in on how UCI got to call him in that Tyler realized he owed lance nothing.

But I have a headscratcher.

Does anyone other than me think that lance is the reason a lot of the men who stood on his podiumd as well as Tyler and Floyd got popped. Especially Floyd. Both ty and Floyd left lance and had decet races Flody winning TDF and then being popped. However, Floyd admitted to one thing but said he absolutely didn't use testaterone. However lance knew him to use that. We all know lance couldn't stand for anyone close to him winning. I thin he was the UCI snitch in exchange for that positive vanishing. All his weaving in and out of the peloton, knowing everything about everyone. I'm alost sure he ran to UCI to whisper in his ear. The guy's despicable. He's certainly no hero.

I just hope the money given to LAF wasn't misappropriated. But we all know lance so anything is possible even with an open book charity.

 

[Cloxxki]

I also thought it tied apron stingish that Tyler went to another team and when asked about USPS and armstrong, lied. It wasn't until Floyd clued him in on how UCI got to call him in that Tyler realized he owed lance nothing.

But I have a headscratcher.

Does anyone other than me think that lance is the reason a lot of the men who stood on his podiumd as well as Tyler and Floyd got popped. Especially Floyd. Both ty and Floyd left lance and had decet races Flody winning TDF and then being popped. However, Floyd admitted to one thing but said he absolutely didn't use testaterone. However lance knew him to use that. We all know lance couldn't stand for anyone close to him winning. I thin he was the UCI snitch in exchange for that positive vanishing. All his weaving in and out of the peloton, knowing everything about everyone. I'm alost sure he ran to UCI to whisper in his ear. The guy's despicable. He's certainly no hero.

I just hope the money given to LAF wasn't misappropriated. But we all know lance so anything is possible even with an open book charity.

I am thinking in that direction as well, and perhaps beyond. Floyd's peepz in blood bag juggling were also Lance's peepz. Lance perhaps KNEW Floyd would be positive for testosterone that day. first because he'd heard of the plan with the bag, and second because he had a favor returned in tainting it. Floyd even won't speculate as far, but is it that much of a stratch for Lance? He'd never do such a thing? Betcha if he didn't, he wish he had.
One slight difference: no need for Lance to tell on Floyd with the UCI. He might have taken action long before "the stage", when Floyd was actually ruling the Tour. Or before... If anyone knew that Floyd would be the man to beat in France, Lance would be it. Like Virenque hearing that Bassons would be on EPO for the first time. But rather than to bet a million on Floyd, he couldn't bare him winning HIS race. As he didn't want Tyler to win the 5 rings.

Most speculation in these cases has been proven to be underestimating the bizarness of reality.

 

[Bushranger]

Just finished it. My eyes have been opened big style and I'm not a novice. My mind boggles at what else USADA are going to through at Armstrong on the back Tyler's and the other's statements.

Tylers story is just one piece of the puzzle. Can't wait to get the rest of the pieces. I bet some are better than Tylers. I wonder how candid GH has been!

 

[airstream]

Imo, Landis' and Hamilton's words recreated a picture of that years very good even without Hincapie. Or you interested about more of personal details about Lance?

 

[veganrob]

Imo, Landis' and Hamilton's words recreated a picture of that years very good even without Hincapie. Or you interested about more of personal details about Lance?

Yes, and Yes
I also think there is far more evidence about Lance/Johan that will be made public. And I am eagerly awaiting.

 

[Bushranger]

Imo, Landis' and Hamilton's words recreated a picture of that years very good even without Hincapie. Or you interested about more of personal details about Lance?

Interest in details..yes. Rumors of GH being Lance's bully boys putting the heavy on others. Not sure where I read that. Would love to know more. Tyler's book shocked me with details of how involved the wags were.

 

[Bushranger]

Wags - wives and girlfriends.

 

[airstream]

Wags - wives and girlfriends.

This word coincides in our languages. Hehe.

Yes, I'd gladly read some interesting details too. Say, what another brilliant combination did Marti cook up in order to store bb's in the 2005 Tour. Obviously, Lance had protection on the level, higher that an uci one,according to ex-AFLD officer. I'm wondering what level that was... The president of France?

 

[Bushranger]

Maybe its just that Lance has more wags than everyone else. His level of protection as with methods described in Tyler's book seem to be more sophisticated than others. I wonder if other top riders of the day had protection...and to what extent. Tyler's book showed how everyone admire Onces level of professionalism. Maybe we should start there

 

[Gregga]

This word coincides in our languages. Hehe.

Yes, I'd gladly read some interesting details too. Say, what another brilliant combination did Marti cook up in order to store bb's in the 2005 Tour. Obviously, Lance had protection on the level, higher that an uci one,according to ex-AFLD officer. I'm wondering what level that was... The president of France?

Former french president Sarkozy - friend of LA - was minister of the interior in 2005. That means he was in charge of the police, gendarmes etc. Just at the good place to stop in extremis a search in hotel rooms.

 

[mikkemus23]

I am thinking in that direction as well, and perhaps beyond. Floyd's peepz in blood bag juggling were also Lance's peepz. Lance perhaps KNEW Floyd would be positive for testosterone that day. first because he'd heard of the plan with the bag, and second because he had a favor returned in tainting it. Floyd even won't speculate as far, but is it that much of a stratch for Lance? He'd never do such a thing? Betcha if he didn't, he wish he had.
One slight difference: no need for Lance to tell on Floyd with the UCI. He might have taken action long before "the stage", when Floyd was actually ruling the Tour. Or before... If anyone knew that Floyd would be the man to beat in France, Lance would be it. Like Virenque hearing that Bassons would be on EPO for the first time. But rather than to bet a million on Floyd, he couldn't bare him winning HIS race. As he didn't want Tyler to win the 5 rings.

Most speculation in these cases has been proven to be underestimating the bizarness of reality.

I agree...I wrote this 9/24..

snip

Does Lance and the UCI might play a role in Tyler and Landis`s positives?
I read that Tyler got called in by the UCI after beating Lance, and he picked up the phone to Hein...

As I read it, IIRC, they both went down for something they were sure they didn`t do...

Race Radio, you got something on this?

It`s almost as Lance didn`t want to see other Americans i yellow. Why did he hinder Big Georges chances for a little yellow.

Sorry for the bad english

 

[Cloxxki]

I agree...I wrote this 9/24..

It's one thing to long for power, and then actually obtaining it.
Another thing is knowing how to use it.

Seems Lance's childish nature often got the better of him. That's not deserving respect, it's misuse of power. Power is cool, until you feel you need to actually use it. That's losing.

Nobody could that childish when in power, right? Well, I wish we didn't have overwhelming evidence to support such a bold statement. He definately IS that childish, and nobody seems to question he had influence with high-ups.
Maybe we're under-estimating Lance by just naming two "victims"? Should we consider Heras, Contador, and Schleck?
How much of someone else's blood is needed to establish autologous doping? Tyler seemed to perform fine at the Olympics? Or should this be seen in relation to the Vino positive, he rode well on his bro's blood?
Fuentes is a quack and risk taker for sure, but to make such an error with an Olympic hopeful and even eventual winner...?

 

[Jalina]

Tyler's book shocked me with details of how involved the wags were.

This fascinates me. As I read Tyler's book, I was really interested in the role of Haven, and to be honest, I struggled with it. I know it could be explained away simply as a wife doing whatever she needed to in order to support her husband, but I don't get it. I sure as hell wouldn't help my partner hide from the police, so I wouldn't help them hide from drug testers. Morally, I don't see a big difference. I don't understand facilitating behaviour that has the potential to do massive harm to your partner... medically, mentally and spiritually. I don't quite see that as love.

Not speaking about Tyler/Haven specifically, but I wonder how much the partner plays in the psychology of the doper. If a partner actively facilitates doping, or at the very least is aware and remains silently supportive, how much harder does that make it for a doper to quit? By doping, the rewards are greater, the lifestyle is better, the fame is bigger. Is there a fear within the doper that their relationship is tied to the amount of success they achieve? After all their partner is supporting the behaviour that makes it all possible. By coming clean, and potentially sliding down the success ladder, is there a fear that along with their results deteriorating, their relationship will also? Or does the relationship become so entwined with the charade, that once the charade is over, the relationship is as well? Tyler alluded to this last point, but didn't go into as much as I woud have liked.
Does the doper, either consciously or subconsciously, seek out a partner that they know will support their doping?

I would be interested if there have been any books that have addressed the role of partners in doping because I find it a fascinating topic and one that I don't think is explored enough.