It should have been a week when we celebrate Cadel Evan’s fantastic victory in La Fléche Wallonne – but his teammate Thomas Frei Tested Positive for EPO. It should have been a week when we are glued to the coverage of the Giro del Trentino, but convicted cheats Vino, Ricco and Basso lead the general classification.
It should have been a week that Chinese cyclists rejoice at having a pro cyclist in the top level of professional racing, before he, Li Fuyu (RadioShack) was suspended today for returning a positive control today for the weight-loss drug and anabolic agent, Clenbuterol.
Do they not get it? Mark Demar tweeted us today, his thoughts on the recent scandals: “Selfish men – driven by money and greed for stolen victories, they have lost the love for their sport” Li’s sample, taken at the Dwaars Door Vlaanderen on March 23 .
So how do we combat the cheats? Thankfully, it was a week that progress was made in one country: Austrian Public prosecutors yesterday moved in the right direction as they filed charges against a former professional cyclist, Christof Kerschbaum for dealing in drugs. It is the first case to be filed under the country’s new anti-doping law, which took effect in 2008. Kerschbaum was arrested and detained for eleven days in 2009 for supplying EPO and other performance enhancing drugs to riders between 2004 and 2009.
Like every week – Love cycling, celebrate true champions and don’t let the cheats destroy our sport.
Comments
Cyclocosm – Pro Cycling Blog » A Tale of Two Podiums 17.10.2011 at 01:43am
[...] At some point in their careers, Basso, Ricco, and even Vino’ (who does look awful beefy for a guy racing a Grand Tour in two weeks…) were riding exceptionally well despite not taking any drugs; why is the assumption that, as soon as they return to form, they’re back on the juice? Why do people brand their very reappearance in the headlines as a horrible thing? [...]
Darby 25.04.2010 at 01:27am
It is just a matter of time before the entire GC fails drugs testing at once.
BikePure NY 24.04.2010 at 08:36pm
Add 24 current and ex pros to the mix ,'charged' by Italian police today......and Ivan Bassos sister and you get the worst week for cycling's reputation.
BikePure Italia 23.04.2010 at 08:22am
These guys are taking a risk. The consequences must displace the choice to cheat. The ban system must be increased
Fernando Maldonado 23.04.2010 at 02:11am
Team Radio Shack should have known this with its own internal testing. I'm very disappointed in Lance and Co.
cathy 22.04.2010 at 09:55pm
Speaking of gutter, you need to move that banner down about 30 pixels. Gross!!
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