USADA - Armstrong

[mewmewmew13]

I still don't think Armstrong is truly going to fight this. This is all posturing. The MJ article was just the set-up. Lance is just trying to manage the public's perception of him for when he makes his big "Screw YOU guys, I'm going home!" stage show. Right now, he needs to build a huge chunk of momentum for when he turns his back on the whole process after a heavily orchestrated press conference.

We already know the rules. Lance has two options: a) walk away and let it all play out, and b) fight it, but be required to testify.

No way will Lance do the latter. So his strategy right now is to build public perception of this as the rape of a hero by USADA and their band of haters.

Even now, we're being played. He's known this was coming, and this week is all part of the plan. It's just ugly and unsettling to have to watch.

It's frustrating that all we can do is wait and watch and speculate...but I think this is a very reasonable synopsis.

..edit: and thanks rhubroma for the trans..

 

[thehog]

So long as you ignore the limitation issues, I agree with you. With that assumption, everything is simple.

Good glad we agree. Simple. He broke the rules thus must be sanctioned. Simple.

Hopefully after sanction he may start the process of paying back his victims. Luskin the lawyer looks cheap. I hope he has enough money to go around. It be a shame if some of the victims couldn't be restituted due to financial hardship on Armstrong's behalf.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

Not its still simple. The length of time is due to the gravity of the doping. Alas its not just one man taking dope. He created a network of drugs throughout Europe and the US. It takes time collect all the evidence.

The simple part: did he take drugs? Yes. Was that in breech of the rules? Yes. Therefore = sanction. Simple.

I agree the application is simple. The hard part all along has been proving he took drugs.

 

[thehog]

I agree the application is simple. The hard part all along has been proving he took drugs.

The trouble really was the UCI... he never really was going to test positive and even when he did he had the authorities on his side to foxstep arround such actions.

It's still simple. Not complex in the slightest.

LeMond was right. Biggest fraud of all time. Have to admit. Lance almost pulled it off. Comeback 2.0 was a mistake... that was never going to end well.

My only question now is what will the UCI do? After nailing Ullrich and Contador what hope do they have of pretending they're impartial?

 

[MD FACG FACP]

Trollish Lance was not "cleared" in the federal investigation. Oh, I'm sorry I forgot my rule of not feeding trolls.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

The trouble really was the UCI... he never really was going to test positive and even when he did he had the authorities on his side to foxstep arround such actions.

It's still simple. Not complex in the slightest.

LeMond was right. Biggest fraud of all time. Have to admit. Lance almost pulled it off. Comeback 2.0 was a mistake... that was never going to end well.

My only question now is what will the UCI do? After nailing Ullrich and Contador what hope do they have of pretending they're impartial?

I hope it is as you say about sidestepping +ives with help of the authorities. That means there is evidence of +ives if it has not been destroyed.

But as far as the UCI goes, I don't care cos I'm not a big fan of theirs either.

 

[Oldman]

I agree the application is simple. The hard part all along has been proving he took drugs.

Maybe not so hard after Ferrari is tuned up by the Italian courts and asked to respond to the question: "What did Lance Armstrong recieve for the nearly half-million $$$, Michelle?"

 

[Oldman]

Oedipus Tex. You heard it here.

 

[blackcat]

Oedipus Tex. You heard it here.

first.

damn. props, respect to you sir

 

[TubularBills]

if you're watching Tour de Suisse right now - pretty strange Levi withdrew his name from Olympic consideration...

Maybe, but most likely a result of this:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/apr/02/levi-leipheimer-crash

 

[thehog]

I hope it is as you say about sidestepping +ives with help of the authorities. That means there is evidence of +ives if it has not been destroyed.

But as far as the UCI goes, I don't care cos I'm not a big fan of theirs either.

This has little to do with the UCI but they were complicit. However USADA presides over the athletes not the UCI.

The UCI really can't do a lot here but sit by and watch. Question will come of them but who can actually control them? They answer only to themselves.

I'd be interested to see if the UCI attempt to intervene.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Maybe not so hard after Ferrari is tuned up by the Italian courts and asked to respond to the question: "What did Lance Armstrong recieve for the nearly half-million $$$, Michelle?"

An oil tanker full of orange juice?

 

[Kennf1]

Maybe, but most likely a result of this:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/apr/02/levi-leipheimer-crash

However, in addition to Levi, Hincapie, Vandeveld, and Zabriskie also requested their names be withdrawn.

 

[mewmewmew13]

However, in addition to Levi, Hincapie, Vandeveld, and Zabriskie also requested their names be withdrawn.

They did?
I missed that link

but I wouldn't be surprised at all.

 

[Kennf1]

They did?
I missed that link

but I wouldn't be surprised at all.

Tweeted by Velonews. It was a statement by USA Cycling, but no link yet.

 

[TubularBills]

priceless.

"Last week, we found ourselves at the intersection of Clemens’ perjury trial and more doping allegations against Armstrong. You couldn’t have MapQuested it any better. The two men belong together. So do toilets and behinds."

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/morrissey/13213259-452/lance-armstrong-roger-clemens-men-in-the-same-line-of-smirk.html

succinct & to the point.

 

[mewmewmew13]

Tweeted by Velonews. It was a statement by USA Cycling, but no link yet.

VERY interesting....

you should update the Olympic thread

 

[Neworld]

...Lance tweeted a picture of his bruised bloodied arm from a unprofessional USADA attempt at taking a blood sample.
The USADA had to leave without a sample that day. Now I am not saying there was spite and malice in that attempted extraction - but it showed unprofessionalism.

Polish, please let us know the last time you drew blood from someone? Until then... It is not a simple even, but every event can have a misadventure, which has nothing to do with unprofessionalism. You've never made a mistake? Remove that bizarre off-topic commentary from your tangential armamentarium.

I would've expected by now that you would have started to talk about the "emotional strain all these cowardly WADA, former teammate/massage therapists/employees, national and international journalists, rivals, SCA, FBI and now USADA investigations have been on poor Lance. Please leave him alone and let him compete in Tris with reckless abandon."

As for your other SSDD, no Polish, Lance have NEVER been restricted from competing in anything anywhere. He is now and the future looks very troubling. No hate there just reality, and it has a nasty bite!

 

[ChewbaccaD]

Oedipus Tex. You heard it here.

No, I made that up well over a year ago.

 

[BotanyBay]

if you're watching Tour de Suisse right now - pretty strange Levi withdrew his name from Olympic consideration...

Or... not strange at all. Just like Andy Schleck's withdrawal over a slightly broken bone TWO WEEKS before the Tour is probably more curious timing than strange coincidence.

But look, Horner seems to have a real pair of huevos this week!

 

[BillytheKid]

Tweeted by Velonews. It was a statement by USA Cycling, but no link yet.

I'd wait on the a link and a story, and if there's a story, look closely at the source. I thought I read several strories about Phinney vs. Z in which Z was quoted in the context of wanting the slot?

 

[mastersracer]

Velonews statement: USA Cycling statement: Hincapie, Leipheimer, Vande Velde & Zabriskie individually requested they not be considered for Olympic nomination

Very interesting. I know DZ was targeting the ITT. So there's 4 former teammates who are USADA witnesses. None of them seeking revenge, etc.

 

[TubularBills]

However, in addition to Levi, Hincapie, Vandeveld, and Zabriskie also requested their names be withdrawn.

that pretty much cinches it.

What is most rewarding, are the ripples... throughout the sport - the timing is perfect to signal a sea change & a benefit to the future of cycling! Kudos to the courage & tenacity of USADA. I'm optimistic that their timely action will reinvigorate the sport with honesty & sportsmanship. (& chapeau to the aging U.S. pros for playing along, there are those among them that truly do love the sport and are tainted by the LA pay-to-play doctrine.)

I am disappointed in Chris for trading lies for a potential tour seat & Olympic spot... out of the sphere of all predicted character, unlike him... "use the force Luke." - family values & ETHICS.

 

[burning]

I always thought CVV is one of the clean guys? Has he a bad history in his past?

 

[BillytheKid]

Velonews statement: USA Cycling statement: Hincapie, Leipheimer, Vande Velde & Zabriskie individually requested they not be considered for Olympic nomination

Very interesting. I know DZ was targeting the ITT. So there's 4 former teammates who are USADA witnesses. None of them seeking revenge, etc.

Link to velonews?