Every single rider in this picture save one has been convicted for doping. Can you guess which one hasn't?Well, well, well, another former US Postal/Discovery rider tests positive for a banned substance. This time it was Manuel Beltran, one of Armstrong's mountain henchmen at US Postal/Discovery. The list of banned riders previously associated with Armstrong grows by the day, and the Texan will find it harder and harder to fight off doping allegations from his fans and the media.
In addition to Beltran, Tyler Hamilton, Roberto Heras, Floyd Landis and Frankie Andreau have all been convicted or admitted to doping during their time with Armstrong. Plus, many of the riders Armstrong handidly beat year over year (Beloki, Ullrich, Mayo, Basso, Rasmussen, Vinokourov, Valverde, and Menchov) have also been convicted or implicated in doping scandals. Is there any doubt left as to whether Armstrong has doped?
Lance Armstrong is a wealthy, powerful figure in America and in cycling. He has been a master at distancing himself from past teammates and their doping allegations, and has worked behind the scenes to silence anyone who has spoken out against him (Andreau, Simeoni). He is a spokesman for his foundation, Trek bikes, and FRS energy drinks, to name a few. Is it likily that any of the companies would assist in bringing the truth to light, or are they more apt to cover up and suppress as much as possible?
All informed cycling fans should need no more evidence to realize that Armstrong was as doped as anyone else during the EPO era. He always says he never failed a test. So what??!?!!? Many riders have never failed a test (Miller, Basso, Rasmussen, Jaschke, Valverde, Contador), yet evidence of their doping practices still exist. It is time that the cycling world recognizes that Lance was not superhuman. He was not naturally better than everyone else. He, like most of the rest of the peloton during the 90's and early 2000's, was doped to the gills. Sad but true.
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4 comments:
Let me put it this way, I knew and know all of the principals, and riders, Armstrong included, as I was a pro a long time ago, and know the real score, at Subaru /Montgomery, Postal,Discovery, and there is no doubt about your comments. People who are in the know about the real sport, have zero doubt. It is just to hard to achive impossible results straight. Great website.
Of course he wasn't superior nor a superhuman, everybody knows that. He won 7 time by being better prepared, against guys like Ullricht who were physically strongest (and doped).
That's an exploit to win one TDF and he won 7 TDF consecutively, so doped or not he's still a champion at my eyes...
I'm inclined to agree with 'anon' but the phrase 'hard to achieve impossible results'[Yes, the impossible generally is hard to achieve], coupled with the mis-spelled to[too]makes me yearn for some educated writing on the subject.Conributors should be better prepared like Armstrong was against Ullricht[!]according to 'belgiancyclist'
I think actually you'll find Miller was banned and Contador got caught / failed a test in the 2007 TDF, but was allowed to continue for helping catch others and or being part of the richest team... This is also the most likely reason for Astana not being allowed to take part this year... they signed him.
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