One of the most interesting facts to come out of EP's recent poll (results below and still time to vote!) regarding past dopers is that those riders who were contrite and apologetic seem to fare far better in the eyes of cycling fans than those that continue to lie and stonewall authorities.
The question asked of EP's readers was: "If you could eliminate one rider from professional cycling, who would it be?"
Michael Rasmussen | 19 (11%) |
Alexander Vinokorouv | 73 (42%) |
Ivan Basso | 5 (2%) |
Riccardo Ricco | 25 (14%) |
Danilo Di Luca | 18 (10%) |
Stefan Schumacher | 19 (11%) |
Thomas Dekker | 5 (2%) |
Tom Boonen | 6 (3%) |
As evidenced by the results above, those riders who have yet to admit their wrong doing (Rasmussen, Vino, Ricco, Di Luca, Schumacher) are viewed far more negatively than those that have admitted their transgressions (Basso, Dekker, Boonen). Cycling fans seem willing to forgive providing a rider is honest whereas a dishonest rider is viewed with huge negativity.
Alexander Vinokourov, appropriately, leads the poll with 42% of the votes. Vinokourov is the poster boy for dishonesty and a total lack of integrity. The Kazakh Turkey has yet to shoulder any responsibility for his actions during the 2007 Tour de France, and as a result he is viewed cynically by the greater cycling public. He will likely never come clean regarding his past doping, and so Vinokourov should remain one of the most hated cyclists now and in the future.
The cycling world, much like the rest of society, has strong beliefs about taking responsibility for one's actions. It is nice to see that those riders who have yet to admit that they doped are shunned and castigated. Even when they return to racing, these dishonest athletes can expect boos throughout the season from true cycling fans. Which is how it should be.
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5 comments:
Correct me if I'm wrong but Basso only admitted contacting Dr Fuentes with the intention to enagage in blood doping. He never fully admitted to it.
Young men under pressure sometimes crack. This is not the same as a racer or team plotting to cheat in a race. I fail to see why a cyclist who is caught taking "recreational" drugs should be called a cheater, since this has NOTHING to do with performance in racing! True this sets a bad example, but-I repeat IT IS NOT CHEATING PEOPLE! Racers are human beings, with the flaws we all share.
Ricco has admitted to his doping. He even stated that he was surprised that he was positive twice, when he had been using CERA regularly throughout the Giro and the Tour.
@Powerful Pete
Yes re Ricco, but he was and remains unapologetic. He has maintained an arrogant, "this is just the way it is" attitude, unlike the other lower scoring athletes in the poll. Just sayin . . .
How ironic - a nice xenophobic poll. Why no get rid of Roid Landis, Hamilton or any of those english speaking unrepentant dopers, or what about those who train with unrepentant doping doctors? or getting rid of those who harrass whistle-blowers?
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