USADA - Armstrong

[Maxiton]

Lol, ESPN had statements from both Nike & Livestrong that they'ee sticking by their cheater(erm, I mean man). So they're both in bed with him still. Curious to see what Trek will say, will they stick by him too? If they do, thats a.HUGE risk.they're taking, I wouldn't he's not worth it.

I take this as an ominous sign. Corporations never do this unless they feel pretty certain their guy will come out on top.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/lance-armstrong-accepts-lifetime-ban-loss-of-tour-de-france-titles

Well done - Cycling News for staying up til the crack of dawn to write up the story.

 

[Susan Westemeyer]

Well done - Cycling News for staying up til the crack of dawn to write up the story.

We generally have round-the-clock coverage, with staff in Australia, Europe and both east and west coast US.

Susan

 

[frenchfry]

A quick look at the Washington Post would suggest that the PS interns have been preparing this moment for a long time now. It is unlikely that so many obvious comments would be posted in the middle of the night otherwise.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sport...9ddc-340d5efb1e9c_allComments.html?ctab=all_&

 

[WillemS]

I hope this is the end of it, but it might not.

 

[frenchfry]

I read some comments on some news sites. The LA fans buy the witchhunt line. With respect to them LA was shrewd - the overwhelming evidence is prevented from making its way into the public domain (at least until someone leaks it) and those who wish to delude themselves can continue to do so. It's a variant of the Pete Rose defense. On the other hand, a lot of more casual observers say something along the lines of - the scales had already begun to fall from my eyes, and this seals it.

There is growing awareness in the US that Armstrong is one of the great frauds of our era. Within the media itself this idea is fairly well implanted, because there is more awareness of what he was like as a person.

See my above comments. I would think the interns have been working overtime to prepare their material in order to coordinate with the press releases on the story. This way they dominate the comments sections and sway the opinion of unknowledgable readers. It's all about public opinion and marketing. It's amazing how many are experts on USADA procedures, at least enough to confirm they are inadequate.

 

[BroDeal]

Lance racing age-group would hurt him more than admitting to doping.

I don't think he can race any USAT sanctioned race, pro or amateur.

If the trail marathon he ran a couple of weeks ago was sanctioned by the USATF then he might lose that result. Any running races sanctioned by the track and field fed would be off limits. I am not sure how many recreational running events are sanctioned by the USATF, but a lot could be because course certification seems to be a big thing with runners, who all want to qualify for Boston or NY.

My guess is that we will see Armstrong at fringe endurance events. He could show up at the Leadville 100 trail run or something like that. Maybe he will start a tri series outside of USAT.

 

[SuperH-]

I have a question, what happens to all the prize money he recieved or his team recieved? it has to be paid back?

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

See my above comments. I would think the interns have been working overtime to prepare their material in order to coordinate with the press releases on the story. This way they dominate the comments sections and sway the opinion of unknowledgable readers. It's all about public opinion and marketing. It's amazing how many are experts on USADA procedures, at least enough to confirm they are inadequate.

Let those idiots hail him forever. The main aim now is to officially remove his TdF titles.
Then the fanboys can celebrate an obscure also-ran cyclist.
That´s like when i hail my local high jump champ. No one cares...

 

[sniper]

what's currently going down at the UCI?

awfully silent on their website:
http://www.uci.ch/Templates/UCI/UCI8/layout.asp?MenuID=MTYzMDQ&LangId=1

will they recognize the ban and the stripping of the titles?

surely they have to take a position soon i imagine.
can't remain silent now, can they?

 

[pastronef]

I read somewhere, that he can race some usa triathlons

oh here it is

http://triathlon.competitor.com/201...-lance-armstrong-eligible-for-our-races_55462

June 15:

In a statement to Triathlete.com USA Triathlon says that it will allow Armstrong to race at USAT-sanctioned events.

“Lance Armstrong is currently still eligible to compete in all USA Triathlon-sanctioned races, with the exception of Ironman events as stated earlier by the World Triathlon Corporation,” said Chuck Menke, USA Triathlon’s marketing and communications director.

 

[BigBoat]

what's currently going down at the UCI?

awfully silent on their website:
http://www.uci.ch/Templates/UCI/UCI8/layout.asp?MenuID=MTYzMDQ&LangId=1

will they recognize the ban and the stripping of the titles?

surely they have to take a position soon i imagine.
can't remain silent now, can they?

I'm not sure what will happen next....this is good stuff between USAC/UCI/WADA. Cant wait until Tyler's book comes out....will keep us with good reading material!

 

[JA.Tri]

Bock's letter to USADA, in closing:

"... Finally, you are on notice that if USADA makes any public statement claiming, without
jurisdiction, to sanction Mr. Armstrong, or to falsely characterize Mr. Armstrong’s reasons for not
requesting an arbitration as anything other than a recognition of UCI jurisdiction and authority,
USADA and anyone involved in the making of the statement will be liable."

I feel sick. The UCI increasingly complict in this mess...from Start to Finish. Even now through their inaction they, UCI/Pat, muddy the already stuffed up pig pen.

UCI get off your fat butts and do something constructive for once in your lives!

 

[BroDeal]

I read somewhere, that he can race some usa triathlons

oh here it is

http://triathlon.competitor.com/201...-lance-armstrong-eligible-for-our-races_55462

June 15:

In a statement to Triathlete.com USA Triathlon says that it will allow Armstrong to race at USAT-sanctioned events.

“Lance Armstrong is currently still eligible to compete in all USA Triathlon-sanctioned races, with the exception of Ironman events as stated earlier by the World Triathlon Corporation,” said Chuck Menke, USA Triathlon’s marketing and communications director.

That was because Armstrong had not been officially sanctioned. USAT as a whole does not have a rule that prevents athletes from racing if they are under investigation. WTC, the Ironman company, had such a rule. Once Armstrong is sanctioned--today hopefully--he is ineligible to race any USAT sanctioned race.

 

[Arnout]

So which cyclists have reacted on the Armstrong news?

Steven de Jongh: By banning Lance, the list of winners will not be more believable (https://twitter.com/stevendejongh/status/238905742562836480)

Jimmy Engoulvent retweets a guy saying Armstrong halted development of cycling and betrayed millions, and a guy saying this is justice.
He adds himself that the conclusion is that anti-doping controls don't work.
https://twitter.com/JimmyEngoulvent

Taylor Phinney says Armstrong was integral to the success of the USAPCC, and that the sport has moved on since the past.

Can't find much more for now.

 

[B_Ugli]

The LA thing has actually become a side show and for most cyclists who care about the long term future of the sport the UCI behaviour is more worrying.

The fact that this evidence will never be heard and the UCI will walk away unscathed is the real problem for the sport.

I doubt whether real change will happen at the UCI and with their attempt to damage limit in the Contador case it suggests some things will never change.

This is the real damage that the LA legacy will leave behind so I wouldnt count today as a success, as all it does is further muddy already murky waters.

 

[SuperH-]

http://www.reddit.com/r/worldnews/comments/yqo17/lance_armstrong_banned_for_life/?sort=top

the amount of ignorance shown there about armstrong and doping is fcking killing me

 

[ExRower]

who;s up for a laugh?

http://www.johanbruyneel.com/blog/article/unfair-fight

 

[ebandit]

Awesome



from the Quiver of Awesomeness...........



1..2...3...4.....5.....6......7................All Gone!


that's for Everyone Who had to Put Up with Polish for so long

and for Everyone Who had to Put Up with Pharmstrong for so long....
...this is Just the Start No-One will be Afraid to Tell the Truth about Pharmstrong Ever Again

 

[Arnout]

Story on the NOS sport website (Dutch national TV broadcaster, providing Tour and other races):

http://nos.nl/artikel/410146-armstrong-staakt-dopingstrijd.html

The only story, I should add. Headline: "Amstrong quits 'fight against doping'" which is a weird title if you ask me. The focus is on Armstrong defense, he is titled as the 7-time Tour winner. USADA story is portraited as just the last doping accusation in a long line. I'm quoting the NOS article: "In a reaction, USADA says it will take away the Tour titles of the American (end of USADA rection, NOS text following). He would have used (incorrect English, but I don't know how to express myself in a better way) doping systematically, but he was never caught."

Next, the boss of the Dutch anti-doping agency is quoted as saying one doesn't need to have a positive test to be found guilty.

NOS concludes with saying that this will likely be the end of the story, as Armstrong will probably not go to CAS. It goes on to list all the winners of the Tour from 1996 to 2009, to say that they're all suspicious except for Sastre.

A final passage is added to emphasis that Armstong will now focus on his kids, on his war against cancer, and that he will try to become "the most fit athlete in his fourties" (quoting Armstrong).



Conclusion: defense strategy by Armstrong works brilliantly. No clear verdicts, only doubts and accusations, ending with a feel-good story. Great work, mr Armstrong.

 

[virandociclista]

Bye Bye doping Strong!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ohh yeah!!!

 

[spalco]

As far as I can see, at least short-term, this move doesn't seem to work for Armstrong PR-wise. All the headlines are something like "Armstrong stripped of 7 Tour titles, doping charges stand" or so.

 

[Paco_P]

Conclusion: defense strategy by Armstrong works brilliantly. No clear verdicts, only doubts and accusations, ending with a feel-good story. Great work, mr Armstrong.

Most importantly: the overwhelming evidence against him, the sordid stories told by his former teammates and friends and like have all been prevented from entering the public domain. These days his money comes from appearance fees, motivational speeches, running old men's triathlons, signing handle bars, whatever - he protected his future income.

 

[Mr.38%]

This will become very, very ugly.

By the way, how many of Hogs "9x winning the Tour de France" on his website are now left?

 

[Arnout]

As far as I can see, at least short-term, this move doesn't seem to work for Armstrong PR-wise. All the headlines are something like "Armstrong stripped of 7 Tour titles, doping charges stand" or so.

Well, like I said, on the Dutch NOS website he's victimized with a "Armstrong stops 'doping fight'".

But that comes from the employers of Mart Smeets, the staunchest Armstrong supporter. Will be interesting to hear what he has to say tomorrow, during the live coverage of undoubtedly yet another boring Vuelta stage.