Printable View
Should be interesting - he'll have to ride well to make up the time on Contador (good climber, yes, but he wouldn't be at the top of the overall classification rankings if he couldn't hold his own on the flats).Quote:
Originally Posted by Tweenerz
We'll get to see how good Contador's time trialing chops are on Saturday...
I know that no one gives a **** what I think, but as someone who has been following the three grand tours for as long as hockey (since 1981), I do see a very significant change this year. For many years now, the riders have protested the accusations, testing, and investigations, and have generally had a "circle the wagons" reaction. Now, they are directing their disgust at the tainted riders. For a few stages before Rasmussen was withdrawn, much of the field would gather at the front and then stop at the start in symbolic protest, forcing others to work their way around them to get going.
Personally, my key indicator of suspicion is the lack of being totally spent after a mountain stage. In the past, it was routine to see the first several riders after a mountain stage totally exhausted & unable to stand, needing oxygen, and on numerous occasions stage winners were taken to the hospital rather than the winner's ceremony. Over the past 10-15 years, that has disappeared, replaced with winners looking fresh. That is my personal indicator of suspicion. Even this year, compare a pure, young climber like Soler who attacked all the time, but also cracked just as much, with Rasmussen who never looked tired on ANY of the climbs. Something is definitely wrong there.
I think it's ridiculous, he is actually taken out by his team leader of Rabobank, this decision was made by 1 man no one else knew it, the sort of second leader of the team wanted to congratulate Rasmussen when he met him in the hotel but Mikael said "don't bother i'm gone anyway" that's when the rest of the team heard about it.
And all because someone said that he has seen Rasmussen in Italy while Rasmussen was supossed to be in Mexico. Cyclists actually have to say 3 months in advance where they will be for every hour of every day, and what they will be doing. It's very possible he just said that he would go to his family in Mexico (his wife is Mexican) but something got between it. that's very possible in 3 months so he stayed home in Italy where he lives.
But now his brother in law says he has proof that Mikael was in Mexico, so we'll see. if it's true Rabobank is gonna pay.
anyway, his teammates were furious because of this. they supported Mikael but they probably didn't want to get too angry at their bosses. one ryder actually hit someone in the audiance for boo-ing at them, about the Rasmussen issue.
I think it's ridiculous and I think they can't prove that he wasn't in Mexico. I also think Rabobank is gonna pay.
Gosh, I'm not even an cyclist fan. but it's a pretty big issue here since Rabobank is Dutch, and so am I.
EDIT: he has been tested for about 15 times and all tests were negative, he has been withdrawn only because 1 man decided he was lying.
He flippantly "was unavailable" for the last 2 tests prior to the start of the Tour; he shouldn't even have been allowed in the race to begin with.
Also. I read Rabobank directed the team leader to pull Rasmussen...
The weird thing is that it was all clear to everybody that he wasn't available, and he said he was sorry and he understood it was suspicious now that he was wearing the yellow jersey and everybody accpeted that and were all supportive towards him. than all the sudden someone THINKS he "has seen" him and he gets withdrawn.Quote:
Originally Posted by ChilledAgua
I can't imagine Rabobank asking to pull him out, they would have said it probably. some rabobank people actually went to France to tell the journalists they would remain to be the sponsor of the team. I think it was a one man decision, no one else of the team at least, agreed with it...
Danish newspapers report that "he should have psychological help, otherwise it might go terribly wrong".
and a team mate of him said that he really felt bad for him, now that everything he worked for in his entire life was taken away from him, and that we would probably never work again. (this was the same team mate that hit someone in the audiance)
I certainly wish Mikael all the best.
There had to be pressure from somewhere else for Rasmussen to be pulled at that moment. The Danish national team organization were upset that he was allowed to enter tour for violating their rules, and TDF officials didn't have any grounds at that time to not allow him in.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jacob-KingsLubo
BTW, I think it was a French journalist that 'leaked' the information that he saw Rasmussen training in the Dolomites.
Anyway, it was nice to see the Discovery team ride their asses of today and secure the victory in team competition for this year.
It's pretty suspicious that it was a French journalist, as it is suspicious that the tests are done by French people and French people only.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tweenerz
The team leaders of Rabobank reported that it's going very bad with Rasmussen, and they hope his wife and child can get him through all this.
I think Discovery/USPS won 7 not 8 in A ROW, Floyd was on team Phonak.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tweenerz
Quote:
Originally Posted by shab
I have been watching since 82, and I think it's great that there catching all the cheats now, and the tests are better than ever but I don't think they will catch all the dopers. But they are sure making it pretty costly if they do catch them. They now forfeit there salary for the year and get a 4 year suspension.
The UCI should be doing a better job at testing the ridersand not let them race any events if they miss a test, or if there rider diaries are incorrect. See I care what you thought, as I ride enough to care too..
Tests are not only done by French. Where do you get your info?Quote:
Originally Posted by Jacob-KingsLubo
