Quote:
Originally Posted by Phoenix
I have never cared for this sport at all. But I am curious as to whether or not the stripped Tour titles will now go to the 2nd place finishers...?
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When the U.S. first started really getting into this sport, back in the late 70s and early 80s, the Europeans used to laugh at us. It was a running joke that U.S. cyclists didn't have what it took to compete in European Cycling. What they were referring to was training. Cycling is not an individual event. Yeah, an individual cyclist wins and gets the celebration but you really need a very strong team around you to actually win. Our riders did not dope and when they tried to join European Teams, because they didn't want to dope, they were laughed at and basically could not get on with decent teams. That's a true story. The European riders have been doping since the 60s.
I live here in Albuquerque. Not sure if many know this or not but two things that we have a lot of here are Distance Runners and Cyclists of the Olympic or Professional variety. Back in the Early 80s, I had a friend who actually road in Europe with Greg LeMond. He told me then about how European Cycling was. Even then, all of the major teams were using. They laughed at us because we were said to be soft. We didn't have what it took to be good. That's where all of that comes from.
All of this is just a big dog and pony show. Somebody is getting paid to do what is being done to Armstrong. I would not be surprised if he was using because, as I have said, every major team and rider is using. However, they never caught him using and I don't know how you convict somebody without any proof. It is what it is.
Armstrong is probably better off for it. Now, he can live his life. The Cancer Foundation will not be better off for it. American Cycling will not be better off. European Cycling will enjoy some benefit from it but in the end, the sport will continue to be dirty and what will have been accomplished?