Why is Lance Still Racing?

[D-Queued]

Good luck with "true reform" at the UCI. Festina was "fool me once, shame on you." USPS is "fool me twice shame on me." Anybody up for believing in meamingful change at the UCI? I want the UCI to weaken and face competition and/or (meaningful) unionization.

I couldn't care less who Lance races with--in compliance with the WADA Code. If some pros want to dork around with a permabanned 40 yearold disgrace, it just illustrates how filthy the sport is.

People should be free to race in any race that will have them. Anticompetitive restraints are just a tool for the fatpats of the world to use to maintain control.

What about Operacion Puerto?

Landis (first winner of the Tour to get popped)?

(otherwise, an excellent post)

Dave.

 

[reginagold]

Since I'd like USADA to continue to exist to carry out its antidoping mission for many sports, I do care whether Arm-strong races. Here in the US he is very effectively using his abiliity to participate in competitions to demonstrate that no one has jurisdiction over him, he and his cancer gang are bigger than anything, and USADA should be shut down. Positions conceived by the best available public relations and legal strategists, no doubt.

 

[131313]

I couldn't care less who Lance races with--in compliance with the WADA Code. If some pros want to dork around with a permabanned 40 yearold disgrace, it just illustrates how filthy the sport is.

People should be free to race in any race that will have them. Anticompetitive restraints are just a tool for the fatpats of the world to use to maintain control.

I disagree. In my opinion, license holders shouldn't be racing with banned athletes. It's not necessarily fair to blame some low-level pro trying to qualify for Leadville (though I think they're idiots for agreeing to race with him). It's obvious who's wielding the power here: Lance and the promoter. That's why I think the governing body needs to step in, just as they've done in the past, and just as they claimed they would do "for any other athlete".

 

[sittingbison]

my 2c worth:
Any cyclist that wants to participate in sanctioned events should by definition be prevented from competing against disgraced and banned Armstrong.

Simple as that. Anything else is a mockery that brings the sport of cycling, and WADA, into disrepute.

 

[AngusW]

What about Operacion Puerto?

Landis (first winner of the Tour to get popped)?

(otherwise, an excellent post)

Dave.

Almost - Maurice Garin was DQ'd in 1904 for cheating.

 

[sittingbison]

Almost - Maurice Garin was DQ'd in 1904 for cheating.

lol, he caught the train

This was all in 1904 - some things never change :

1) "There were claims, too, that the organisers had allowed Garin to break rules" UCI/Lance?
2) "Stories spread of riders spreading tacks on the road to delay rivals with punctures" Cadel Evans?
3) "of riders being poisoned by each other or by rival fans" Frank Schleck?
4) "Lucien Petit-Breton said he complained to an official that he had seen a rival hanging on to a motorcycle" Cav?

 

[BroDeal]

my 2c worth:
Any cyclist that wants to participate in sanctioned events should by definition be prevented from competing against disgraced and banned Armstrong.

Simple as that. Anything else is a mockery that brings the sport of cycling, and WADA, into disrepute.

Yup.

The Leadville 100 has reaped benefits from pros competing. I don't think requiring the series to honor doping bans is asking too much, and I don't think forbidding license holders from participating in an event that is actively working against anti-doping is going too far.

Carmichael Training Systems has a deal with Leadville, so being associated with doping scumbags does not seem to bother the promoters that much.

At the start line of one of Lifetime Fitness' races tt might be funny to whip out a syringe and give yourself an injection.

 

[sittingbison]

I think it is behoven of the competitors to also self regulate. If they want to compete in sanctioned events, they should not compete with a banned for life disgraced rider. If they do, they will not be given a license to compete in sanctioned events. The time limit should mimic the banned rider - in this case life.

 

[Jack Aubrey]

Have there been any interviews published of the pros that rode the Alpine Odyssey and whether they inquired regarding potential penalties from USAC or UCI for participating?

 

[noddy69]

Alot of talk about livestrong setting up their own tri series. From what I gather it doesnt sound like a charity fun run type of series either.

I would like to believe that people would not take part, but I am not that naive.
Based on the support from insane fanboys and girls I actually think it would work.
On all levels this is wrong IMO. But I think I worry most about the funding and the cash cow it may become and where the money would go.
Does anyone know anything, and would they stoop so low under the guise of cancer benefit and openly promote a sport with one of the biggest cheats in history ? Im guessing yes.

 

[frenchfry]

Alot of talk about livestrong setting up their own tri series. From what I gather it doesnt sound like a charity fun run type of series either.

I would like to believe that people would not take part, but I am not that naive.
Based on the support from insane fanboys and girls I actually think it would work.
On all levels this is wrong IMO. But I think I worry most about the funding and the cash cow it may become and where the money would go.
Does anyone know anything, and would they stoop so low under the guise of cancer benefit and openly promote a sport with one of the biggest cheats in history ? Im guessing yes.

Livestrong is all about the commercialisation of cancer and the exploitation of human generosity, hope and trust. It has always been a vehicule to further the personal agenda of Armstrong, no reason that this should change.

 

[TubularBills]

SPORTS Updated September 27, 2012, 4:11 a.m. ET
Triathlons Part Waters for Armstrong
Despite a Doping Ban, His Presence Sends Enrollments Soaring

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443916104578020514003260282.html#articleTabs%3Darticle

In any case, Armstrong isn't likely to fail a drug test now. Banished from sanctioned races, Armstrong is now competing at a level that is generally too unimportant and underfunded to test athletes for drugs..

 

[Jack Aubrey]

Honest question here - who thinks he was (is) doping for his triathlon comeback where he won a couple of triathlons, and with what?

 

[Catwhoorg]

For sure:

Oxygen vectors (EPO of some sort)
Probably steroids and HGH during training for recovery.

 

[Race Radio]

SPORTS Updated September 27, 2012, 4:11 a.m. ET
Triathlons Part Waters for Armstrong
Despite a Doping Ban, His Presence Sends Enrollments Soaring

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443916104578020514003260282.html#articleTabs%3Darticle

In any case, Armstrong isn't likely to fail a drug test now. Banished from sanctioned races, Armstrong is now competing at a level that is generally too unimportant and underfunded to test athletes for drugs..

Didn't effect the Leadville qualify race only 300 people showed up

How does Wonderboy have any effect on how many people do Kona? It is sold out every year. Hotels and flights are always full. Having a doper there does not increase the number of people.

Does anyone really believe that hundreds of people just signed up to do a 1/2 Ironman because lance was going to be there?

 

[DirtyWorks]

Yup.

The Leadville 100 has reaped benefits from pros competing. I don't think requiring the series to honor doping bans is asking too much, and I don't think forbidding license holders from participating in an event that is actively working against anti-doping is going too far.

Considering it was USAC sanctioned, it should be the case. We're back to the fact Johnson probably drove Wonderboy up to Leadville and put his bags in his room for his appearance there this year.

Carmichael Training Systems has a deal with Leadville, so being associated with doping scumbags does not seem to bother the promoters that much.

At the start line of one of Lifetime Fitness' races tt might be funny to whip out a syringe and give yourself an injection.

Had a deal. My understanding is they did it themselves for 2012 onwards.

BTW if you buy the camp at $2000, then you buy your way into the field for that year. Otherwise, it's a semi-complicated lottery that costs +/- $25 to simply get into the long-odds lottery. Once again proving cycling is the new golf.

I absolutely agree that Wonderboy's only venue is appearances at bottom-tier fun runs and similar. It's not going to pay his legal bills.

FYI, Dave Wiens is now the 7x winner of Leadville.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Once again proving cycling is the new golf.

Bingo. Good observation. Elite events, with club purchases, and participants on $10,000 bikes, wearing $1,000 worth of clothing, sometimes hobnobbing with stars.

 

[SpeedWay]

Didn't effect the Leadville qualify race only 300 people showed up

How does Wonderboy have any effect on how many people do Kona? It is sold out every year. Hotels and flights are always full. Having a doper there does not increase the number of people.

Does anyone really believe that hundreds of people just signed up to do a 1/2 Ironman because lance was going to be there?

You got half of it figured out, the easy half. Now you have to somehow get you mind around the significance of this excerpt from the above linked article. If it escapes you call any event organizer for a clue:

" The mere expectation that he would participate in next month's Hawaii Ironman championship in Kona started people booking hotel rooms as early as March. When that appearance got nixed by Armstrong's doping-related ban, "a friend of mine who had been No. 80 on the waiting list for a hotel room in Kona suddenly got a call that a room was available," says Bob Babbitt, a pioneer of the sport. "That means 79 people lost interest once Lance was scratched." "

 

[Benotti69]

You got half of it figured out, the easy half. Now you have to somehow get you mind around the significance of this excerpt from the above linked article. If it escapes you call any event organizer for a clue:

" The mere expectation that he would participate in next month's Hawaii Ironman championship in Kona started people booking hotel rooms as early as March. When that appearance got nixed by Armstrong's doping-related ban, "a friend of mine who had been No. 80 on the waiting list for a hotel room in Kona suddenly got a call that a room was available," says Bob Babbitt, a pioneer of the sport. "That means 79 people lost interest once Lance was scratched." "

That means AT LEAST 79 people lost interest once Lance was scratched.

Probably hundreds lost interest but number 80 can only recount 79. Number 400 probably got offered a room too

 

[DirtyWorks]

You got half of it figured out, the easy half. Now you have to somehow get you mind around the significance of this excerpt from the above linked article. If it escapes you call any event organizer for a clue:

Two things:

1. The promoter is promoting his own event. It is pretty hard to take the quote at face value. Remember, there is no penalty for lying to the press. And then there's the timing of it all. Once annually I get a wild idea to do a far-off event too. Mostly, I don't do them.

2. Again, we're talking events far, far afield of anything with WADA compliance. Are there big events outside WADA compliant federations? Yes. Many. But, they are like it or not, third-tier events.

 

[Race Radio]

You got half of it figured out, the easy half. Now you have to somehow get you mind around the significance of this excerpt from the above linked article. If it escapes you call any event organizer for a clue:

" The mere expectation that he would participate in next month's Hawaii Ironman championship in Kona started people booking hotel rooms as early as March. When that appearance got nixed by Armstrong's doping-related ban, "a friend of mine who had been No. 80 on the waiting list for a hotel room in Kona suddenly got a call that a room was available," says Bob Babbitt, a pioneer of the sport. "That means 79 people lost interest once Lance was scratched." "

You are welcome to pretend that this is the "lance effect" but we both know that is BS.

It happens every year at Kona. People book their hotels far in advance....then they don't qualify, get injured, the family and friends decide not to come and cheer on that dork who they never see because he is training all the time. Blah, blah, blah. Happens. Every. Year.

What is next, will Lance get credit for the sun rising tomorrow?

 

[Benotti69]

You are welcome to pretend that this is the "lance effect" but we both know that is BS.

It happens every year at Kona. People book their hotels far in advance....then they don't qualify, get injured, the family and friends decide not to come and cheer on that dork who they never see because he is training all the time. Blah, blah, blah. Happens. Every. Year.

What is next, will Lance get credit for the sun rising tomorrow?

Hey, it is yellow.

 

[fatandfast]

Two things:

1. The promoter is promoting his own event. It is pretty hard to take the quote at face value. Remember, there is no penalty for lying to the press. And then there's the timing of it all. Once annually I get a wild idea to do a far-off event too. Mostly, I don't do them.

2. Again, we're talking events far, far afield of anything with WADA compliance. Are there big events outside WADA compliant federations? Yes. Many. But, they are like it or not, third-tier events.

This is where Armstrong is hosed. Not everybody lives by the old any publicity is good publicity. His entire self wants to be pre announced in press releases and race announcements. It may work for some things but big promoters,NYC,Boston marathons and Ironman are going to bend if not break under the pre-pressure they get from sponsors,fans and participants.

In a post conviction Armstrong world he is going to show up for day of registration or get in under corp block registration or a craigslist posting to sell a race number. It only needs to be a few complainers to sucede. One tearful racer that says she feels betrayed by sharing the road with Armstrong and out he goes.

 

[DomesticDomestique]

I wasn't sure where to post this but I figured this was the place.

Lance raced a collegiate/open cross country (running) race in Austin this past weekend. Results are here http://mychiptime.com/searchevent.php?id=6868 open men are at the bottom. I'm guessing he raced as Chass Armstrong or Lance Parker. It was a very muddy course and the men's race was the last of about 8 races meaning the course was completely torn up. Word on the street is Lance was bragging about cutting corners on the course to avoid the mud. Typical huh?

EDIT: I guess he was neither Chass or Lance, and maybe not in the results at all.

 

[BroDeal]

Armstrong raced Superfrog old school style, in a Speedo and no shirt. I think it is funny because he has now gotten to the point where he has to turn himself into a novelty act to draw more attention to himself.