If anyone has 1.3 million euros to spare; there are eleven young professional riders, plus team mechanics, drivers,masseurs all looking for new work . Doping has driven another sponsor from supporting pro cycling.
Liberty Seguros is the Spanish arm of an American insurance company who has decided not to fulfill initial agreements to back a team for the 2011 season.
Liberty Seguros sponsored the UCI ProTour cycling team, Liberty Seguros – Würth, but dropped the sponsorship on 25 May 2006 due to the Operación Puerto doping case, involving the team manager Manolo Saiz and some of his riders. They also sponsored a smaller continental cycling team based in Portugal, but dropped the sponsorship for this also in September 2009, when three members of the team failed drugs tests simultaneously.
The irony is apparent within the picture above and below. The Liberty Seguros statement reveals that the ongoing Alberto Contador situation was a factor have led to the abandonment of those plans to renew the support of professional cycling.
Regardless if Contador is guilty or innocent, the damage is already done. The indecisive nature in handling his case, has only increased the bad press for our sport.
The continued self-destructive doping by elements in cycle sport is killing it for all.
11 young riders are without a contract for next season and staff are left without work. The selfish actions of a few tarnish the lives of many.
Cheats out, you’re not welcome or worthy to ride among honourable riders.
Comments
Luis Oliveira 13.11.2010 at 12:52pm
A corporation that decides to get involved with pro cycling at this point is either too stupid or must really, really not care. This picture is amazing. Its' lasting value-destructing power comes not from the fact that people remember that each and every one pictured is/was a cheat at some point (it's hard to keep track of this things,) but because the scandals keep on happening through several years. As it has been said of the Bourbons, they haven't learned anything, they haven't forgot anything.
Mairre 10.11.2010 at 06:31pm
My summer was destroyed when Alberto tested positive. The plasticiser proves he had an IV and needs to be sanctioned. What's more worrying is that Andy Sleck is not outraged at the possibility of losing a TDF title to a cheat.
BikePure NY 10.11.2010 at 02:07pm
Not going to point finger at Alberto, even if the Spanish Federation give him a ban, The Image of pro cycling as a tainted, poor investment- will not change unless an extended period of scandal free racing exists. Everyone has to be on board with the desire for a clean sport to be proud off.
Carl. 10.11.2010 at 01:12pm
Bit harsh 5311! Loved Igor and Beloki
Mark frank 10.11.2010 at 12:59pm
How many ProTour teams has Germany lost to doping. I think bike pure should research the actual cost of a positive test in dollars.
Tom Sevell 10.11.2010 at 08:16am
Who wrote this?
53 by 11 10.11.2010 at 01:41am
Siaz= king pin Gonzalez= salbutamol Heras= EPO Marcos Sorrano= biker LuLu Sanchez= Puerto El Pistols= Doper- plastisicer Beloki= Cant corner
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