When is the smackdown on Chris Horner?

[the sceptic]

Does anyone know where he signed? The suspense is killing me

 

[Granville57]

Does anyone know where he signed?

Apparently not.

WTF kind of non-news story is this?

American signs with "up and coming" team
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/horner-signs-one-year-deal-with-us-team

Cooke, a former winner of the green jersey in the Tour de France, informed Cyclingnews that Horner had signed a “one-year deal with an up and coming team” but added that “the team and Chris will be making the announcement very soon. It’s imminent.”

God, how I wish it could be Hincapie's team.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

Up and coming: Horner signs with "The-Horner-Foundation-For-Artificial-Blood-Developement-And-Help-Team™"... even longer than the good old "Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni-Androni Giocattoli Cycling Team".

Had a long off-season thought of who comes close to Horner. Imagine, I found one:
Barry Bonds. Having a great career slugging Pct of 500+, and then boom from age 37 on, he explodes it to 800+... OFC PED enhanced as we all know. But the difference is still there: Bonds was great before his all-in-doping. Horner wasn´t... Still, age and explosion-wise; Bonds is the best comparison.

 

[Granville57]

OMG!!!!!
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/horner-to-airgas-safeway

Horner to Airgas-Safeway?


Airgas-Safeway general manager Chris Johnson would neither confirm nor deny rumors...

Airgas-Safeway general manager Chris Johnson would neither confirm nor deny rumors...

Airgas-Safeway general manager Chris Johnson would neither confirm nor deny rumors...

Airgas-Safeway general manager Chris Johnson would neither confirm nor deny rumors...



This could be the news we've been waiting for...

OR MAYBE NOT!!!!!




THIS IS SO EXCITING!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[robow7]

Well, I guess he just got smacked down more than a few rungs. wow

 

[DirtyWorks]

Well, I guess he just got smacked down more than a few rungs. wow

This was the right thing for the UCI to do. He is guaranteed to never test positive in the US. No doping controversy this way. Sad day.

 

[Dear Wiggo]

I obviously do not understand how much effort was required to do so, but I noticed a lot of effort went into asking so many US teams if they were hiring Horner.

If only this much journalistic effort could be expended on things like oh I don't know - Seri Nottoli's lack of data publishing, or the pre-2011 Vuelta data, etc.

Guess Horner is the easy target eh?

 

[Amazinmets73]

So no chance he rides a GT next year?

 

[robow7]

So no chance he rides a GT next year?

Nope, in fact there might not even be a chance he gets to ride the TOC?

 

[Hugh Januss]

No. Never. Ever. The only thing I want, is the biggest sport cheat of all time to be caught. And if that means it has to come from LA, be it. If it comes from LA doing a LA (IOW being a rat), be it.

I can accept all the small cheatings we all did in our lives to get trou this or that situation...
But it´s a whole different league if it comes with plain insulting all our intelligence. Like a half-dead grandpa riding one-legged into the sun winning small and grand tours with a cheesily grin basically saying "I shit on ya all, nobody ever gets me, even tough I cheat the most obvious way". Oh how I hate this arrogant behaviour. Only once in sports I expierienced that: With LA during the 7 dark years...

You have a lot of issues, don't you. I understand how your little brain worked it out, but really? Biggest sport cheat of all time? Horner and his one Vuelta? Wow, just wow.

 

[IzzyStradlin]

Nope, in fact there might not even be a chance he gets to ride the TOC?

I'd call it a good year if they can make it to Redlands, Gila and Cascade.

This is not a "low-level pro team". It is the bottom.

You have a lot of issues, don't you. I understand how your little brain worked it out, but really? Biggest sport cheat of all time? Horner and his one Vuelta? Wow, just wow.

Ivan Stevic is still riding.

 

[Master50]

This was the right thing for the UCI to do. He is guaranteed to never test positive in the US. No doping controversy this way. Sad day.

What does the UCI have to do with his signing to any team? He is not under any suspension so what would the UCI have to do with this?
What did I miss?

 

[Old School]

So no chance he rides a GT next year?

Thank Goodness NO!

 

[DirtyWorks]

What does the UCI have to do with his signing to any team? He is not under any suspension so what would the UCI have to do with this?
What did I miss?

Jv confirmed both the UCI and ASO are involved in athlete selection.

Please save the denials. It's not going to work. Again.

 

[Hugh Januss]

What does the UCI have to do with his signing to any team? He is not under any suspension so what would the UCI have to do with this?
What did I miss?

A lot...apparently. Everything, I would guess.

 

[Master50]

Jv confirmed both the UCI and ASO are involved in athlete selection.

Please save the denials. It's not going to work. Again.

ASO has a say in who rides on a team? While I have seen them take a stance on riders entering their events the idea that they have anything directly to do with a riders contract?
As for the UCI, of course they have some involvement with every contract but I have no idea what JV said or if in fact it is the JV that manages Garmin?

Save the Denials? it isn't going to work. Again? what the hell are you referring?

I will admit contract rules are not the parts of the regulations I paid much attention but now I feel like I should read them at least a second time.

I find it hard to believe the UCI has much more than rubber stamp involvement with most contracts. Even this one.

 

[ScienceIsCool]

It was probably a year or so ago that Race Radio let slip an anecdote about Anne Gripper and JV at a party, talking about a specific rider's dodgy blood profile (I'd have to go back and look up the specifics, so some details might be off).

Oops. That one little anecdote shows how things are really done. The UCI shares info with the guys they like. You know, harmless shop talk over a few drinks. Except now this rider (who has never tested positive or had any sanctions) can't get a contract. The guy has been black-balled and probably ends up riding for a team that isn't chummy with the UCI and therefore never hears the scoop on how dirty he is.

And that's how corruption can happen in what seems like an innocent and harmless fashion. Add a couple of shady characters (Armstrong, Ferrari, Verbruggen, et al) and a bit of cash and you have a full-blown mafia situation.

John Swanson

 

[Hugh Januss]

ASO has a say in who rides on a team? While I have seen them take a stance on riders entering their events the idea that they have anything directly to do with a riders contract?
As for the UCI, of course they have some involvement with every contract but I have no idea what JV said or if in fact it is the JV that manages Garmin?

Save the Denials? it isn't going to work. Again? what the hell are you referring?

I will admit contract rules are not the parts of the regulations I paid much attention but now I feel like I should read them at least a second time.

I find it hard to believe the UCI has much more than rubber stamp involvement with most contracts. Even this one.

Nothing to do with contract rules. If you don't see that the UCI can render almost any rider they want virtually unsignable then you are living in lala land. Same goes for the organization that promotes the races that every team wants into.

 

[Granville57]

What did I miss?

I wouldn't make too much of it. Basically both ASO and UCI would say "we don't think its a good idea for you to hire Landis"... Now, did they threaten or what not? No. They just made their opinion clear. That wasn't what drove the decision in the end.

You can ask or you can not ask. It's the choice of a manager. I asked. i was curious to their reaction. But no, they have no say on this at all. But they have a lot of influence, so i asked.

Those guys hate me nowadays, so I wouldn't ask if it were today, but back then I was trying to be everyone's buddy.

..................

 

[Beech Mtn]

ASO has a say in who rides on a team? While I have seen them take a stance on riders entering their events the idea that they have anything directly to do with a riders contract?
As for the UCI, of course they have some involvement with every contract but I have no idea what JV said or if in fact it is the JV that manages Garmin?

Save the Denials? it isn't going to work. Again? what the hell are you referring?

I will admit contract rules are not the parts of the regulations I paid much attention but now I feel like I should read them at least a second time.

I find it hard to believe the UCI has much more than rubber stamp involvement with most contracts. Even this one.

Michael Rasmussen's attempts to get a team after his ban

 

[Oldman]

What does the UCI have to do with his signing to any team? He is not under any suspension so what would the UCI have to do with this?
What did I miss?

do you think any DS wouldn't have a channel to UCI to assess risk on someone controversial that they considered signing? If the answer is: "sign that rider and there will be much testing" would you proceed? Not likely as some other fish could be netted. How do you think Nibali is assessing his options with Astana circling the drain?

 

[Master50]

Sorry I should have known this is all part of the Svengali UCI! Of course this is the clinic and conspiracy forum. Of course CH is under suspicion of being old.
Back room deals in dark smoky rooms. indiscreet conversations of a regulatory authority and a Director.

Yes at the hotel officials do speak to team managers and occasionally riders but they mostly stay to themselves. If you are saying people talk to each other I have no argument. I did not stay in my room at all the races I have worked since 1986. I have had a drink with a team director after an event. Is this nefarious? Nothing in my experience would make me think so.

Now if you want to believe that CH's contract was checked or approved by the UCI i think you are either thinking he is a really important rider the UCI wants to quiet. Oh no they are protecting him? No they are trying to stop him from racing? I am sorry you guys need to talk to each other and decide. A friend of mine just started working there and I can't wait until he is back home so I can hear the secret back room stories. It seems I am missing something juicy.
I really hope next time you are visiting the Montreux jazz festival you run down to Aigle to see the size of the UCI and their all encompassing power. Now if you want to speak of certain staff members maybe we can discuss how incredibly pompous they are but hey they were French. My experience is they are a lot like a municipal government. people do their jobs to the best of their ability and look for career opportunities. Staff move to other sports as they get experience and opportunities present. The politicians are as slimy as any but the idea that staff are up to these nefarious deeds? sorry. as Much as I hated Verbruggen I doubt he ever went to any staff member and said this dies or that happens. unless you work for a senator or congressman just consider your own workplace. How much could you actually skirt the rules unnoticed or unreported.
Sorry I suppose this wouldn't be nearly as much fun as this.

 

[Granville57]

as Much as I hated Verbruggen I doubt he ever went to any staff member and said this dies or that happens.

Good grief.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGkWO5woEtE&spfreload=10

 

[westerner]

Michael Rasmussen's attempts to get a team after his ban

http://books.google.ca/books?id=0Sm1sajN96wC&pg=PT90&lpg=PT90&dq=uci+black+list&source=bl&ots=8uLhe0g32M&sig=odcpaVPsg6T-lRIDEHewkQVYjbo&hl=en&sa=X&ei=vmx1VJmqCcmrogT0koC4Ag&ved=0CC0Q6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=uci%20black%20list&f=false

 

[westerner]

http://nyvelocity.com/content/features/2010/dirty-deal

http://www.newcyclingpathway.com/news/blog/we-are-riding-like-a-flock-of-sheep

Gusev case another reference to a UCI 'Black List'