My sentiments are echoed by Pat McQuaid
“When are these idiots going to learn that it’s over?” said Pat McQuaid, the leader of the International Cycling Union. “They continue to think that they can beat the system. They’re wrong. The system is catching up all the time.”
Not particularly good news for Lance Armstrong either…
Heads certainly turned Friday with the news of the Tour’s first doping test, which now means four ex-Armstrong teammates have tested positive in the past four years.
In addition to Beltran, Floyd Landis, Roberto Heras of Spain and Tyler Hamilton — all former Postal riders during Armstrong’s seven Tour wins from 1999-2005 — failed doping tests after quitting the Texan’s team.
McQuaid concludes…
“Once more, the sport suffers,” McQuaid told the AP. “Idiots like that are prepared to take the risk, and it’s a huge risk.”
Kudos to the Garmin-Chipoltle team for their strong anti-doping stance.
In addition to the testing required of any pro rider, Garmin-Chipotle uses the California-based Agency for Cycling Ethics to test riders for so-called “biomarkers” – physiological changes that raise a red flag about a rider’s potential use of performance-enhancing drugs. The agency also is being used by another high-profile squad with an anti-doping message, Team Columbia.
The question one must ask is if cycling has an abnormally large number of participants that are cheaters or do other sports have the same percentage problem. The Olympics might be interesting in that regard.
