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Letters to Cyclingnews - December 29, 2006
Here's your chance to get more involved with Cyclingnews. Comments and criticism on current stories, races, coverage and anything cycling related are welcomed, even pictures if you wish. Letters should be brief (less than 300 words), with the sender clearly identified. They may be edited for space and clarity; please stick to one topic per letter. We will normally include your name and place of residence, but not your email address unless you specify in the message.
Please email your correspondence to letters@cyclingnews.com.
Lance in Leadville
Leadville Trail 100
Manzano's polygraph test
British Cycling and the Tour de France
Tell me, what's the problem?
"Disco" team?
Presumption of innocence
Landis and the Landaluze case
Landis' defense fund
American culture
Armstrong's credibility
Back room politics and the IPCT
Lance in Leadville
A comment please to Ken Chlouber, race director for the Leadville 100. He is quoted in the December 23 MTB news stating, "Lance Armstrong coming to Leadville will be our greatest visitor since 1878 when President Grant came here."
I'll make an argument that LA is not even the greatest cyclist to visit. I saw Big Mig and his Banesto mates ride through and stop on a training ride. It was sometime in the early 90's. I don't remember what other event they were in Colorado for, but I do recall them racing in the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. Indurain helped one of his teammates win the event.
At the rainy finish area a buddy of mine threw an arm around a somewhat annoyed looking Indurain's shoulder while his wife snapped a picture! I recall following Mig and Banesto, (in a car!), up through Leadville to the Tennessee/Fremont Pass junction where they took the right fork to Fremont Pass.
I don't recall if the Red Zinger/Coors Classic ever went through Leadville, but I remember seeing Lemond and Hinault in Vail, and I would not be surprised if they both rode through Leadville on a training ride.
My greatest on-bike encounter was with the entire pro peloton coming towards me on a training ride near Cripple Creek when the World's were in Colorado Springs in 86'. I turned around and tagged along the back for about a half-hour. No one said a word to me the entire time. I dropped off, (or was I dropped?), and turned back around after enough crusty stares.
Thanks for the reminisce!
Alan Schiff
Snowbird, Utah
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Leadville Trail 100
Now we're talking! Does anyone else have the feeling that among all the stupid noise in broken professional bike racing these days, the Leadville Trail 100 with Lance and Floyd could become the best race of 2007?
And how refreshing to hear the words of race director Ken Chlouber: "We have a deep and abiding appreciation for these two guys, and I'm not going to tolerate anyone being negative about them."
Thanks Ken and I'll see you in Leadville!
Zak Kelly
Hong Kong/North Carolina, USA
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Manzano's polygraph test
I'm possibly one of your few readers who actually (by sheer chance) watched the programme where Jesús Manzano took a "polygraph" test. I use quote marks because at no time did the cameras focus on the graph paper, or the pens. Eventually the presenter - with dramatic pauses and recorded drum-rolls - read the "results" from a sheet of paper which we did not see.
I'm not saying the whole thing was staged; but in general the programme was tabloid style, and I found this very stagy. It's beside the point whether I believed Manzano on Tuesday evening or previously; but I wasn't at all convinced by the show.
Liz Cochrane
Mijas, Malaga, Spain
Monday, December 25, 2006
Manzano's polygraph test #2
That's it! We need the boys up on stage, all hooked up and wired, cameras in their faces, lights on, live to TV and the Net, being asked a list of important questions. It's really very simple.
I whole-heartedly applaud Mr. Manzano, and all others brave enough to stand up like men and tell it like it is. Bravo!
Chris P. Madden
Matsue-shi, Japan
Saturday, December 23, 2006
British Cycling and the Tour de France
So British Cycling doesn't want to let any riders involved with any doping investigations to be at the start of the Tour in England? They don't mention names but I assume this means those involved in the Operation Puerto debacle.
Now I'm not sure that a federation has any jurisdiction over a race they don't own or organise that is starting in their country, so this comment seems unusual. Of course no one wants a repeat of the 2006 Tour nonsense but that statement it seems, goes without needing to be said, surely?
The cynic in me says this is just a ploy; a comment from British Cycling designed to curry favour with the UCI. Perhaps to look favourably, sometime in the future, on their application for a ProTour race slot?
My feeling is that the UCI, race organisers and national federations should retain their dignity and keep their mouths shut. Let due process take its course - if riders are found guilty of doping - ban them. If not, let them get on with their lives and race.
This whole process of side-swiping commentary on unproven allegations is certainly bringing out the worst in the hierarchy of cycling sport and does them no favours. It only reduces their credibility and any confidence that we have in them that they know how to organise this great sport of cycling.
David Norwich
Fountainhall, Scotland.
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Tell me, what's the problem?
I had to laugh when reading the quote from the president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Jacques Rogge, when he spoke out in favor of the creation of a DNA database. He was quoted as saying: "The data would be well-stored and protected. Tell me, what's the problem?"
Well, Jacques, consider the track record: "Protected" and confidential medical records are leaked to the press all the time. If confidential medical records were truly confidential, I would be less inclined to think you're trying to exploit riders' rights.
To my knowledge, however, you're the only head of a sports governing body who has spoken up about presumption of innocence. Cheers to you for that, and I hope all the other witch hunters out there are shamed into saying the same.
I'm embarrassed by doping in cycling. But, I'm more embarrassed by the fact that cyclists can't ride if someone accuses them of doping. What is more basic than believing in a person's innocence until you can prove his or her guilt? In cycling, a sportsman's career can be ruined by presumptions and accusations, rather than fact. That's embarrassing, and we, as sports fans, should protest this violation of basic human rights.
Andy Bury
Woodinville, WA, USA
Saturday, December 23, 2006
"Disco" team?
What's with some people nicknaming the Discovery Team the "Disco" team? Makes
me think that with all the fluff about Lance taking in Basso that at some major
race this next season I would like to see Mr. Basso, after having survived the
doping affairs and being the handsome Italian he is, do the Travolta strut up
to the start line to the tune, "Ah, Ah, Ah, staying alive, staying alive..."
Susan M.
Friday, December 22, 2006
Presumption of innocence
Presumed innocent only applies to criminal prosecution. For example, if a woman he did not know sued Basso for child support, would not he demand a DNA test? Wouldn't you?
OJ Simpson was presumed innocent in the criminal cases of murder, but no such presumption kept him from being found liable for causing the two deaths.
Gary Gromet
Homestead, FL, USA
Friday, December 22, 2006
Landis and the Landaluze case
This letter is not an attempt to defend Floyd Landis, I am still out on my personal opinion as to whether or not he is guilty of doping. The Landaluze case does seem to give some additional strength to the arguments of Mr. Landis.
If the fact that the same person performed the tests on both the A and B sample is sufficient to have that positive test thrown out, despite the fact that the CAS stated that the laboratory acted in good faith, and did not bring into question the tests themselves, then it would seem that errors which bring into question the tests should lead to having the results thrown out.
Of course, this does not answer the question as to whether that would prove the actual innocence of Mr. Landis. There have been many letters which argue that various bodies in cycling violate the due process rights of the cyclists. However, each different country has different determinations as to what due process rights, if any, apply to individuals involved in such sporting activities.
Personally, I find any comment by members of governing bodies regarding pending doping cases to be inappropriate. After all, what sort of fair hearing can an athlete get when the governing body itself is declaring guilt without the opportunity for a hearing? The only appropriate comment is for them to say "we will not comment on a pending allegation of doping."
Andrew Cohen
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Friday, December 22, 2006
Landis and the Landaluze case #2
In response to Steve's letter, about Landis not understanding he's damaged goods. When you look at the bare essentials in this situation, you've got a man that wants to clear his name, not because of racing or because of getting back into the sport (don't forget he's got now got an nice implanted hip which alone could keep him form ever getting back to peak form) but because having a cleared name equates to a clear conscience and a justification of his efforts to win the greatest race on earth and the years of pain and training to get there.
He is either incredibly stupid, going all out winning a stage where he knew he'd be tested at the end, of course he'll take a massive amount of testosterone the night before. Or someone, somewhere along the line didn't like him or just another American winning the tour and he's got a tainted urine sample he now has to explain away somehow.
The thing that bothers me most in this, is the fact that the guy never tested positive before, or after. I can't blame him for wanting to clear his name.
John Caceres
Lancaster, PA
Friday, December 22, 2006
Landis and the Landaluze case #3
Keep in mind when you speak of "technicalities" that in many senses the case against Landis, as has been the case with a number of athletes from a wide range of sports, is in reality a 'technicality'. How so? The drugs or blood doping that the riders are accused of using are banned because they are performance enhancing.
Well, in the Landis case, please recall that his testosterone level was in the normal range. The amount of testosterone in Landis on the day of his wonderful ride was not only not above normal, it wasn't even in the high end of normal, and could not be considered to be a performance enhancer.
He won that day with his legs and a fantastic cardiovascular system. If he has his Tour victory taken away, then he has lost on a technicality
Gary Stetler
Boulder, CO, USA
Friday, December 22, 2006
Landis and the Landaluze case #4
Some people seem to think that when someone gets acquitted "on a technicality" that it means that they are still guilty but some bureaucratic red tape kept them from being properly prosecuted. Those people would do well to remember that those procedural rules are there for a reason: to protect people from false accusations and erroneous prosecution.
It's true that to get off on a technicality doesn't mean one is innocent; what
it means is that the accepted process for determining guilt was not followed
correctly (for who knows what reason) and so an accurate determination of guilt
can't be made.
In a climate when all riders are presumed guilty even if acquitted, it is comforting
to know that at least a few of their rights are still protected.
Arik Florimonte
San Jose, CA, USA
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Landis and the Landaluze case #5
In reply to Mr. Stewart-Sturges, what the Landaluze case shows as you point out is that, "the staff of the laboratory of Châtenay-Malabry had acted in good faith and that the overlap of the different analysis operations performed by the staff was due to a heavy workload in the laboratory."
Let me translate that to English for you, they cut corners because they were busy. What other corners did they cut?
Did their faulty procedure make the tests more liable to sabotage (in the Landaluze case, obviously, even though it is unlikely anything untoward happened)?
Is it too much for the lab to follow the rules?
David Beruh
Hockessin, DE, USA
Friday, December 22, 2006
Landis' defense fund
A better place to put your money is with Jason Sager, the US Mountain Biker who has been issued a sanction for missing an in-competition dope test. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that the riders at the race (it was a NORBA National event) did not see the control board up at the start. Mr. Sager did not finish the race, and so did not see the control board at the finish (probably something he should have checked).
From what I gather, the officials at the event did not make a reasonable effort to locate the athlete, and subsequently issued him a one or two year ban for missing the test. It seems to me that the officials did not have it all together, and the athlete is somehow paying for that.
Not to say he did nothing wrong, but the punishment certainly does not match the crime. Everyone go check out his website and grab a pair of ‘Free Sager' wristbands, a more noteworthy cause than supporting Landis. Lets hope that we see Sager at the Leadville 100 and not Landis.
Jordan K
Golden, CO, USA
Friday, December 22, 2006
Landis' defense fund #2
In response to David Crutcher's letter, it is very sad that people are offering funding to Mr. Landis for his defense. One only has to look at the responses posted on www.floydlandis.com to see that there are many blind supporters of his cause.
The masses just want a hero to worship and will not accept that there are those that cheat to get ahead in sport. I gave up believing the pleas of innocence from these tainted riders when I heard Tyler Hamilton's ridiculous defense tactics.
Peter Lawrence
Canada
Friday, December 22, 2006
Landis' defense fund #3
David,
The answer to your question is, yes, the public will bankroll Floyd's defense fund because many of us truly believe he is innocent - I for one cannot say the same thing about his former team leader.
Are there other causes to which one can give their money? Yes again, and I do. However, you cannot ignore the realities in this case, among others that it would not have made sense, or a difference, for Floyd to take a large dose of testosterone in hopes of reviving his chances. And, if you really want to call out the jerks, do as another reader asked in his letter, ask Patrick Lefévère when he is going to fire Museeuw.
Chet Ritchie
Lancaster County, PA, USA
Friday, December 22, 2006
Landis' defense fund #4
Quite agree David, is it not time that the public recognised that ‘celebrities', as well as the ‘man in the street', should not be able to buy justice?
The huge amounts of money which these people can put towards a court case, assures them of the very best legal representation, probably resulting in, as you say, the chance of getting off on a technicality.
The end result is a great sport being devalued even more, and the lawyers lining their pockets, as they race off to get another rider acquitted.
Andy Cheshire
England
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Landis' defense fund #5
Recent letter writers have pointed out how unsatisfactory it would be if Floyd Landis were to eventually be cleared of doping charges on "a technicality." But the reality is that, under a system where you are guilty until you can prove yourself innocent, such "technicalities" may be the only defence even for those who have done no wrong.
If Landis is innocent, then there must be something wrong in the process at places like the amazing Châtenay-Malabry lab. As this is not an episode of ‘Law & Order', it's unlikely that some French lab worker is going to miraculously confess to a hatred of U.S.-based Amish that caused her to tamper with the Landis samples. Instead, demonstrating just a few fragments of a more-mundane broken system is probably the best Landis can hope for.
If Landis is guilty ... well, so what? If you discount a "technical" defence for the guilty, then you discount a technical defence for the truly innocent.
I don't like the thought of dopers winning, but I prefer that to the destruction of an innocent rider's career.
As a fellow Canadian, my Christmas wish is that Dick Pound starts thinking the same way.
Steven Bonisteel
Kingston, Ontario
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Landis' defense fund #6
I have to agree fully with you! So many causes, so many needs, so many less fortunate need to have a fund raiser. Floyd Landis - who has made more money in the past year than I will see in my lifetime - needs to politely move on.
He's not a bad person, and I'm not saying that he even knew testosterone was administered. However, it was certainly in his bloodstream. And as much as I'm a fan of American cycling; American's caught cheating need to take a note from a certain British cyclist in the same situation. Fess up. So much more can be gained, and so much more respect can retained from simply saying, "Yep, I did it. Give me my punishment."
John Goonen
Houston
Saturday, December 23, 2006
American culture
To say that 'American Culture' is to blame for Discovery's 'win-at-all-costs' attitude is ludicrous.
Yes, Discovery networks is an American company. That being said, are the top brass at the network dictating who gets signed to the team? If you believe that, sir, I have some oceanfront property in Kansas to sell you.
The guy calling the shots at Discovery is Bruyneel -- a Belgian, for those of you playing at home. In fact, the team itself shouldn't be considered American when there are only two big name American riders on it! I challenge you to name the Americans on Disco besides Leipheimer and Hincapie.
So, Mr. Rehm, if we are to subscribe to your theory on the Basso signing reflecting the perversion of American culture, shouldn't the other American-sponsored teams be grabbing up Puerto-linked riders? CSC is an American sponsor, and they seem to have lost their ties to suspected dopers. Are HealthNet or Navigators signing Tyler Hamilton? No, that dubious honor would go to Tinkov, a Russian/Italian team.
I certainly hope you've found the peace of mind and clear conscience you desire in Europe, the land where nobody dopes or cheats in any way. Relating the signing of a rumored doper to an American-sponsored cycle racing team to the foreign policy and moral conviction of the US is certifiably insane.
Tyler Gregory
WI, USA
Thursday, December 21, 2006
American culture #2
Cristopher Rehm's recent letter is spot-on. Each week lately I risk nausea and read another batch of letters from Discovery fans howling about the mistreatment of their team by the IPTC; and how unfairly their brand-new hero, Ivan Basso, has been treated. Any chance we can shut that spigot off sometime soon? I mean, guys like Basso and Ullrich have had six months now to trot a blood sample to Spain and prove their innocence-- right? For my money, I'm guessing that Discovery's next personnel change will be to bring George Steinbrenner on as owner.
One especially maddening trait that Mr. Rehm failed to mention is America's favorite excuse when something goes wrong: those damned foreigners. Whether it's vengeful French scientists, incompetent Spanish investigators, irresponsible English cycling writers (writing books in French, even worse!), or those holier-than-thou German and Danish guys on their anti-doping soapboxes; we can usually find a good scapegoat somewhere across the ocean who's the real culprit. They're all just jealous!
I know plenty of great people who are Americans, but taken as a whole we're a pretty sorry lot these days. If countries were cars, we'd be a Hummer - driving in whichever lane we damn well pleased, and those other guys could just watch out for us.
Kerry Hardy
Rockland, Maine, USA
Friday, December 22, 2006
Armstrong's credibility
I think if Armstrong was set on revenge against Landis then why would he have offered Landis a place back on the team, Discovery have been the top team for quite a while and their main objective is the Tour de France because its financial rewards are the highest.
They will go for the rider most likely to win, it's a business first, and picking Basso even through the drug allegations show you where they're at and they like all the other teams, will do what they can to get the best riders, including Landis if he gets his name cleared.
Ray Willings
London, UK
Friday, December 22, 2006
Armstrong's credibility - the conspiracy theories
If I get Darren Earp's point, he believes Operation Puerto and the Landis affair are the work of Lance Armstrong, or at least linked to him. I have to agree there is something very fishy about both cases. Still, I don't get how the LNDD lab that leaked all his test results to the press in the 1999 Tour, in violation of UCI regulations and local laws, becoming the number one contributor to all allegations brought against Lance in his career, would turn around and become his friend. More to the point, how would Armstrong even consider enrolling them if he did want to destroy Landis. It's ridiculous.
The whole problem of the pro cycling world right now is that legal and disciplinary actions are enacted on an arbitrary basis. Officials say it is okay to break the rules they are supposed to uphold, journalists print any available info regardless of the source, managers enact huge sanctions on riders or teams on the basis of hearsay to protect their financial assets. In the middle of this quagmire, I doubt elaborating conspiracy theories with even less proof than the new cycling standard is going to advance anything. Once we have the story straight, we can start looking at the underlying layers of responsibility. Right now, it's just silly.
Jean-Christophe Boulay
Montreal, Canada
Friday, December 22, 2006
Back room politics and the IPCT
Okay, I will grant that I typed Euskaltel, who do not currently have riders involved in Operacion Puerto; they have and have had riders involved in other doping scandals. I believe that the same logic should apply to a team like Euskaltel however because doping is doping, it is a scourge that must be dealt with across the board.
To focus on riders involved in one single scandal and who are in a specific set of circumstances is clearly playing to the crowds in an effort to appear like action is being taken. The only logical reason for such a focus is to serve financial bottom lines in the process of creating a positive appearance.
Unless we deal with all riders, in all doping incidents with the same regulatory and non-regulatory methods, those that are actually guilty, and treated differently will be able to use this treatment as obfuscation, and those who may actually be innocent could find themselves singled out while the guilty go on unmolested. Such inconsistent actions also only damages credibility in these trying times.
In regards to the IPCT, the teams are the group that could potentially have the greatest positive impact on the doping war, as such a loss of credibility is not only unacceptable but telling as it reveals that many of the teams still have not had a true change in attitude at the managerial level, only the appearance of such. Until this occurs the war on doping will be hobbled.
John Schmalbach
USA
Friday, December 22, 2006
Recent letters pages
Letters 2006
- December 22: Scott Peoples, Hypocrite?, Landis and the Landaluze case, Landis' defense fund, Rumours and innuendo, Bjarne Riis interview, Enough already, Back room politics and the IPCT, Armstrong's credibility, American culture, Bjarne's ignorance factor, Deutschland Tour and Denmark Tour, Operation Puerto and the UCI
- December 15: A totally predictable situation?, Armstrong's credibility, Deutschland Tour and Denmark Tour, Back room politics and the IPCT, Holczer and others, Holczer and the Discovery exclusion, Bjarne's ignorance factor, Can't we all just get along?, DNA safety, Floyd Landis on Real Sports, Genevieve Jeanson, Mark McGwire, Operación Puerto bungled...deliberately?, Operation Puerto and the UCI
- December 8: Genevieve Jeanson, Floyd Landis on Real Sports, Deutschland Tour, Bjarne's ignorance factor, USADA does it again, Labs and testing, Astana denied ProTour license, Isaac Gálvez, McQuaid, Question about DNA testing, Le Tour de Langkawi 2007
- December 1: Hamilton, Isaac Gálvez, USADA does it again, Bjarne's ignorance factor, Shorten the Vuelta?, Vuelta short, shorter, shortest, Labs and testing, Ullrich to CSC, Clean up cycling's own house first, Fed up with doping, Strange sponsorships, What about Leipheimer?, French anti-doping laboratory, Basso agrees to DNA testing, Basso to Discovery, What's going on behind the scenes?, Graeme Obree
- November 24: Graeme Obree, What about Leipheimer?, French anti-doping laboratory, Basso agrees to DNA testing, Basso to Discovery, Richard Virenque, UCI are the problem, What's going on behind the scenes?
- November 17: Saiz and Tinkoff, Countdown to the 2007 Tour, Improving the reliability of testing, Basso to Discovery, Cycling and DNA testing, Forgetting Tom Simpson, Operación Puerto and national federations, Refusing DNA testing - an admission of guilt?. Reverse blood doping, Richard Virenque, What's going on behind the scenes?
- November 10: Forgetting Tom Simpson, Tour Route, Basso to Discovery, Cycling and DNA testing, What is DNA testing?, Refusing DNA testing - an admission of guilt?, Jan Ullrich, Operación Puerto and national federations, Reverse blood doping, What's going on behind the scenes?, Comments on McQuaid
- November 3: Tour Route, Return of a real good guy, Cameron Jennings, Future Australian ProTour team, Neil Stephens, 2007 Tour Intro Video Snub, Richard Virenque, Reverse blood doping, Comments on McQuaid, Marc Madiot, Who's more damaging?, What's going on behind the scenes?, Wada & Cycling's Governing Body, UCI and Doping, The Pope of Cycling and the Spanish Inquisition, Refusing DNA testing - an admission of guilt?, Put up or shut up!, DNA, its so ‘easy', DNA Testing In Cycling
- October 27: Tour Route, Fiorenzo Magni, Landis' presentation, Dr, Ayotte is Biased, Operation Puerto, Sample quality assurance protocols, Marc Madiot, Man on a mission, Comments on McQuaid, McQuaid Lunacy, Continental over ProTour, Just a Simple Thank you, Cycling deaths, Ullrich to Discovery, Ivan Basso and CSC, Reverse blood doping, Future Australian ProTour team, Saiz ProTour license,
- October 13: Guilty or not?, Forget about whom?, Innocence and DNA testing, Sporting fraud, Ullrich to Discovery, Landis in the court of public opinion, Women's track events, Cheating redefined, Cycling deaths
- October 6: Guilty or not?, Innocence and DNA testing, Women's track events, Cancellara, Cycling deaths, Is Dick Pound credible?, A load of Grappe?, Cheating defined, Floyd's turbo bottle, T-Mobile
- September 29: Bravo Paolo, T-Mobile, Shortened grand tours, Floyd's turbo bottle, Basso's DNA test refusal, Is Dick Pound credible?, Basso cleared, Natural process possible?, Cycling deaths, Frankie Andreu, Double standards, Cancellara
- September 22: Is Dick Pound credible?, Frankie Andreu, Millar's hollow victory, Cycling deaths, Go Chris, go, Tom's OK, Basso's DNA test refusal, Easier racing?, Floyd's turbo bottle
- September 15: Andreu's admission, Millar's hollow victory, Basso's DNA test refusal, The big ugly open secret, Dick Pound, Discovery's Vuelta double-standard, Doping tests and subjective evaluation, Fitting punishment, Hermida is clean, Floyd Landis' motion to dismiss, Easier racing, Operation Puerto, Thank you Chris Horner, The testosterone test, Mano a mano, Turbo bottle
- September 8: Turbo bottle, Discovery's Vuelta double-standard, Hunger Knock, Basso's DNA test refusal, Eneco, DNA testing, Fitting punishment, Natural process possible?, Operacion Puerto etc , Response to 'No Doping Control is Insane', Stage 17 water consumption, The Testosterone test, The Tour, What's up with Sevilla?, Mano a Mano
- September 1, part 1: The Eneco Tour controversy: Details, Reporting, Eneco vs doping, Time bonuses?, Who was at fault?, One of those things, Discovery behaviour, More barricades, No way for Schumacher to stop, Hard to stop, Officials to blame, The rules, Schumacher amazing, Hincapie's 2nd Place Trophy
- September 1, part 2: Dick Pound, Devil is in the detail, Diane Modahl and Floyd Landis, Dick McQuaid?, Fitting punishment, Floyd Landis and polygraph, Jake to play Lance?, La Vuelta coverage, Natural process still possible, likelihood uncertain, Protour rankings, Hour Record & Tour, Response to 'No Doping Control is Insane', Ullrich's trial by media
- August 25: Eneco Tour, Bring on an Hour Record, Cycling needs a dictator, Diane Modahl and Floyd Landis, Natural process still possible, likelihood uncertain, Response to 'No Doping Control is Insane', Testing procedures must be understood and public, A German Pound?, All winners dope?, Change the things we can, Track the testing, Cycling is not flawed, Defamation lawsuit, Dick Pound, How did the testosterone get there?, Julich: "No one is able to cheat anymore", Floyd Landis, Patrick Lefevere follow-up, Systematic doping? Where is the evidence?, Ullrich's trial by media, Unfair dismissals
- August 18, part 1: Natural process still possible - likelihood uncertain, Denial, Dick Pound, Oscar Pereiro, UCI - ProTour drug solution?, The problem with legalising doping, Changing the rules won't stop cheating, Scandal reduces respect, Blood tests, Corruption, A couple of questions, A couple of questions, A German Pound?, According to WADA: Who isn't doping?, Collect samples every day from everyone, Corruption in the system
- August 18, part 2: Does the dope fit the crime?, Doping and the death of pro cycling, Change the things we can, Doping, Landis, tests, Dufaux?, Floyd, dope, and cycling, Floyd's only way out, It's the jersey, Julich: "No one is able to cheat anymore", Landis affair, Landis and faulty test equipment, Landis and what he leaves behind, Lefevere, Phonak, and cycling's future, Stand by Our Man Landis, Only one positive, How did the testosterone get there?, Patrick Lefevere, Please help with these questions, Case thrown out, Stage 17 bad tactics or dope?, What were the actual results?, Wouldn't it be great, Zero tolerance
- August 11, part 1: Patrick Lefevere, "The media knew before I did", A couple of questions , Distribute the testing, A possible scenario for Landis, A real Tour, Anti-doping transparency, Anyone hear Jack Nicholson?, Are we fighting doping or not?, Bad for cycling - are you kidding?, Best way to deal with doping, Can some one please tell me... , Case thrown out, CIR and T/E tests, Collect samples every day from everyone, Complaining about drugs in cycling, Corruption in the system
- August 11, part 2: Cycling's reputation, Distortions in the Landis case, Does the dope fit the crime?, Doping, Doping in general, Doping, Landis, tests, Doping - the whole sorry mess, Drug testing for cyclists, Drugs & the Tour Down Under, Enough already!, Flawed process?, Only one positive, Unrealistic expectations
- August 11, part 3: Floyd Landis Affair, Floyd, dope, and cycling, Robbie Ventura, Hoping Floyd soon shows HIS evidence, I will prove it, Is this true (and if so, what's its import)?, Landis, Landis and Merckx, Legal black hole, Media circus, Operacion Puerto Victims, Pat McQuaid and doping... , Penalize teams, organizations
- August 11, part 4: Players, Post race reunion, Robbie Ventura, Solutions are there, Stage 17 Bad Tactics or dope?, T-E testing and Oscar Pereiro, Testosterone cheating, Testosterone Gremlins, The "System", doping, and so on, Who do you believe?, Time to level the playing field, UCI - ProTour Drug Solution?, Ullrich, Why process matters, Worse than VDB, Wouldn't it be Great!
- August 4, part 1: I will prove it, Doping, Landis, tests, Why process matters, Robbie Ventura, Rubbish!, Leadership & cleansing, 21st Stage, A few minor thoughts, Stage 17 water consumption, Was it a recovery prep?, Anti-doping transparency, Bad for cycling - are you kidding?, Best way to deal with doping
- August 4, part 2: Case thrown out, Center podium, Collect samples every day from everyone, Complaining about drugs in cycling, Confidence in the testing system, Courage off the bike, Who is Cowboy (2003)?, Crime and punishment, Nothing without the cyclists!, Davis and four others, Does the dope fit the crime?, Doping & money, Doping in cycling, An examination, Drug testing for cyclists, From a fellow pro, In Floyd ..., Do the right thing, Floyd's steroids, Grow Up and Get Real!, Future of testing, Idea for a clean Tour, Landis vs Periero TT, I'm done with cycling, I'm retired as a fan of the pros, Feel like a fool, I'm so disappointed
- August 4, part 3: Team management & doctors, It appears the dope does fit the Crime..., It was the whiskey, It's all a sham, It's everywhere., Nothing is conclusive, Worse than VDB, Cycling needs our support, Of all the tests..., Doesn't add up, Test timing, Players, Legal black hole, B-sample & Marco Pinotti, Landis is guilty of something, Former Phan, Landis Ordeal, Landis Situation, Landis, drugs and cycling, Landis: lab accreditation, The question, Laughingstock, Lawyers in tow, Leaks, Learn from NASCAR, Letter to Editor
- August 4, part 4: Losing hope against the dope..., Mitigating factor, No doping control is insane, One toke over the line, Keystone Cops, Operacion Puerto Victims, Raise the stakes, Something not right, Exhuming McCarthy, Testerone testing, Testing procedure, Landis has been caught, The Jack Daniels defense, The Landis Situation, French testing: a leaky boat, What a positive A sample means, The sieve called doping control, Time to level the playing field, US Perspective, WADA, UCI ruining sport, What about Pereiro?, What's the hold up?, Who's watching the henhouse?
- July 31, part 1: I will prove it, Stop the complaining, Public perception, The process - flawed?, Courage off the bike, Dallas on wheels, Surely not, Sick & insulted, Mitigating factor for Landis, Landis... it is a shame, Landis' abnormal (supernormal) results, Travesty, Who's watching the henhouse?, Could it have been the result of the bonk?, I'm sick of this!, One toke over the line
- July 31, part 2: Why does McQuaid make a bad situation worse, Why does the UCI make a bad situation worse, How one-off testosterone helps, Why risk it? Here's why., Must be natural, Sick of hearing about doping!, Previous reading?, If Landis turns out to be doped, Cycling on trial, All that is gold does not glitter, The science on testosterone, Maybe I am a fool, Loons, Results not yet known, Surely not, Cheated
- July 31, part 3: Who to believe, A slightly inappropriate Landis defence and proposal , Gut feeling, Jaded, Landis, Latest doping allegations, Tired of the system!, Cheating or not, Hard landing for the sport if Landis issue turns sour, Another Landis comment, Why?, Elevated T levels in Landis, Crucified, Floyd Landis, What is happening to cycling?
- July 31, part 4: Testing testosterone, It was the whiskey, Does the dope fit the crime?, Results not yet known, Landis - Say it ain't so!, Doping, Landis, tests, Landis - guilty until proven innocent, T/E ratio and treatment of Floyd Landis, Bad science and a possible solution, Testosterone is a natural substance, Confidence in the testing system
- July 28: Landis - Say it ain't so!, Surely not, The science on testosterone, Results not yet known, Jaded, Leave Landis ALONE!, "Everybody cheats." , Fairness of testing, Crucified, Who to believe?, Landis doping, The A and B test., Why does McQuaid make a bad situation worse?
- July 21, part 2: Legalising doping, Full transparency, Basso and DNA, Doping, lawyers, and Basso, Ullrich's Innocence, Tyler Hamilton, Did Millar come clean, Ullrich's doping plan, Doping and still suffering
- July 21, part 1: Stage 17, 2006 Tour, And the winner is?, Chicken!, Rasmussen not a "team player"?, Enough Lance, Floyd's bad day, Is Discovery really a true U.S. ProTour team?, First-time winners' past records, Kudos to Leblanc, Landis' aero bars, NORBA Nationals, Floyd's not "photogenically challenged", Respect the yellow jersey?, US Nationals, Very unsatisfying
- July 14, part 2: Landis' aero bars, Wide Open Before the Cols- An Average Fan's Predictions, US Nationals, Cipo @ the Tour, And the Winner is?, Boring spots, Disco Boys?, Enough Lance, Is Discovery really a true U.S. ProTour Team?, Kloden by default, Millar's new TT position, Photogenically Challenged Champions, Segregation is not the solution
- July 14, part 1: Legalising doping , Small world, Hamilton's fax, Cheats, Come clean, Simoni, Doping and the double standard, Dopers don't affect love of riding, Greg LeMond, Vino, Lance & LeMond
- July 7, part 2: Legalise it!, Doping, Greg LeMond, Plenty of riders don't dope, What I will do, Phonak, Come clean, Hide & Seek, The Early Signs coming True, Doping and sponsors, Santiago Botero not on the list, An alternative
- July 7, part 1: Are we paying these guys enough? Cardiac hypertrophy and sudden death, A cycling scandal? A sad day for cycling fans, Discovery's team leader, Easier racing won't help, Simoni, Cheats, Vinokourov, An open letter to Ivan Basso, Are we alone?, Sharing the road, Searching for an old book
- June 30, part 1: Easier racing won't help, Communidad Valencia and the ASO, Doping & fans, What a Shame, Sunny side of pro dopers, Tyler Hamilton: how long can he deny, The new "performance" enhancer, Greg LeMond, Armstrong's letter to IOC, Armstrong, L'Équipe, WADA & Pound, A call for one more test
- June 30, part 2: Ullrich and the Tour, Mancebo: The Unsung Hero, Hincapie to lead Disco, Jane Higdon, USA junior development, Voigt vs. Hincapie, Operation Puerto, Where there is smoke, there is fire, Watching the wheels come off, Why only cycling?, UCI request for riders to submit signed statements, UCI leadership questioned by reporters
- June 23: "Next!", Hincapie to lead Disco, USA junior development, Jane Higdon, A call for one more test, Armstrong's letter to IOC, Defending Landis, Doping, The Armstrong/L'Équipe/WADA/Pound affair, Spanish doping allegations, Team consequences, Voigt vs. Hincapie
- June 16: Pound should resign, Now I'm really confused, Vinokourov, Saiz, doping and the TdF, The Spanish operation, Misplaced sympathy, Name the suspects, Spanish doping, Opinions from France, ASO, Simoni vs. Basso, Voigt vs. Hincapie, Jens Voigt vs. George Hincapie, Voigt and Hincapie, Jane Higdon, Jeremy Vennell diary
- June 11: Simoni vs. Basso, Basso and Simoni, Simoni versus Basso, Simoni's smile, Sour grapes Simoni, Sarcastic, disgruntled fan?, Congrats to Jan, Non-round rings, Sport, Voigt and Hincapie, Jens Voigt, Three cheers for Jens Voigt, Jens Voigt vs. George Hincapie, Voigt vs. Hincapie, Thanks to Voigt and Manzano, Champion in countless ways, Chapeau Jens!
- June 9 - Special edition: Vino's position, Astana-Wurth and the TdF, Vinokourov, Saiz, doping and the TdF, Spanish doping allegations, WADA, Vrijman's findings, That Report, WADA and Armstrong, WADA vs. UCI vs. the riders, WADA's double standard, WADA and Pound missing the point, Pound should resign, A Pound of what?, The role of the AIGCP, The Spanish operation, Botero interview, Say it isn't so, Manolo
- June 2: Simoni versus Basso, Simoni and Basso, Simoni, Simoni's smile, Simoni is a crybaby, Basso and Simoni, Sour grapes Simoni, Gibo Si-MOAN-i, Blood, drugs, cash and corruption, Sickening double standard, Spanish federations' reaction to Saiz, Don't be surprised by drug use, Giro d'Italia, Thanks to Voigt and Manzano, Chapeau Jens!, Jens Voigt, Three cheers for Jens Voigt, Jens Voigt is the man, Voigt 2006 vs Boogerd 1999, Voigt and Hincapie, Discovery's Giro team, Altitude tents and EPO, Not just name-calling, Say it isn't so, Manolo, Spanish doping allegations, Armstrong and L'Equipe, CSC is a class act, Basso and CSC, Jimenez memories, Markers in drugs, Discovery Channel's Giro performance, Pound should resign, Giro live reporting, Banning of altitude tents, Bettini is consistent
- May 26: Their A-game's at home, The Tour and the TT, Jan's good form, Jan bashing, Congrats to Jan, The diesel, Double or nothing, Ivance Bassostrong, Bravo, Basso!, Discovery Channel's Giro performance, Bettini is consistent, Banning of altitude tents, When disqualification isn't enough, WADA should ban intervals
- May 26 - Special edition: Say it ain't so, Manolo, Say it isn't so, Spanish Federations' reaction to Saiz, The doping scandal to end them all
- May 19: Bettini is consistent, Banning of altitude tents, Hypoxic tents, WADA and altitude tents, Latest WADA crusade, WADA bans another, Congrats to Jan, Criticism of Jan Ullrich, Jan bashing, Jan ready for the Tour, Jan's good form, Armstrong - the New American Idol, The same old Lance, Defeatism in Discovery, Giro reactions, One of Savoldelli's secrets, Rasmussen's time trial position, Riders under helmets, Difference between following and leading, The Tour and the TT, Bruyneel's Giro comments, When disqualification isn't enough
- May 12: Marion Clignet, Bruyneel's Giro comments, Criticism of Jan Ullrich, Jan bashing, Jan's weight, Defeatism in Discovery, Lance talking up Basso, The same old Lance, Rasmussen's time trial position, Giro team time trial, Hincapie in Paris-Roubaix, Riders under helmets
- May 5: Criticism of Jan, Criticism of Ullrich, The Ullrich-bashing bandwagon, Ullrich in 2006, Jan dramas, More Jan dramas, Bruyneel's Giro comments, Team helmets, Volunteering at bike races, Hincapie in Paris-Roubaix
- April 28: Working for the team in Georgia, Ullrich's thick skin, Ullrich and the 2006 Tour, Jan Ullrich racing, Ullrich and THAT wheel, Jan Ullrich, Jan dramas, Paris-Roubaix technology, Hincapie in Paris-Roubaix, Paris-Roubaix controversy, Paris-Roubaix comments, Paris-Roubaix tech, Team helmets
- April 21: Paris-Roubaix final say, Paris-Roubaix controversy, Paris-Roubaix and technology, George and the fork issue, Quotable quotes, Cycling technology, Behaving like a champion, Paris-Roubaix: UCI Code of Ethics
- April 14: Continuing to behave like a champion, No curse of the rainbow jersey, Tom Boonen, Hang in there, Saul, The gods of cycling, Trek and Paris-Roubaix, Looking out for George, Paris-Roubaix and technology, Broken forks and broken dreams, Jan Ullrich, Jan dramas, Disqualifications, So you know, Paris - Roubaix, THAT railway crossing incident, Need for consistency, Paris-Roubaix - poor Cancellara, Paris Roubaix disqualification, Paris-Roubaix: setting a good example, Roubaix disqualification decision, UCI Roubaix disgrace, Paris Roubaix disqualification, Paris Roubaix affair, Paris-Roubaix fiasco, Paris-Roubaix sham, Racing's railroad crossings, George's bike failure, Let them race, Roubaix controversy
- April 12 (Special Paris Roubaix edition): Paris-Roubaix disqualification, Disqualification on the pave, Level crossing in Paris-Roubaix, Rules are rules, Paris-Roubaix, McQuaid's reasoning, Pat McQuaid and train barriers, Railway crossing at Paris-Roubaix, Disqualifications in Paris-Roubaix, Paris-Roubaix crossing, Roubaix controversy, Grade crossings, Railroad crossings, Safety at Paris-Roubaix, Paris-Roubaix sham, Paris-Roubaix safety, Paris-Roubaix rail crossing, Boonen and friends cross the tracks, McQuaid's explanation, Roubaix disqualification decision
- April 7: Hang in there Saul, De Ronde parcours, Edwig van Hooydonk, Discovery's American riders, Tom Boonen, April fools, Hair care product line, Brave new world, Commonwealth Games time trial, Photo of the year
