Just Like His Hero, Riccardo Ricco Positive for EPO, May Face Jail Time

More doping news out of France has Riccardo Ricco as the most recent positive for EPO. Authorities say that Ricco tested positive for a type of EPO that has only been available for the last year. Ricco's exit also spelled the end of the Saunier Duval team, as each member decided not to continue riding in the Tour.

Ricco, like his idol Marco Pantani, seems to be headed down the same road as the late Italian climber. His reckless behavior has finally caught up with him, and he'll surely face a two year ban. Worst of all is for the fans, as Ricco was a major animator in this year's Tour, and had added palpable excitement to all of the mountain stages.

Ricco becomes the third rider caught cheating at this year's Tour (Beltran, Duenas) and it is looking increasingly likely that more names will surface in the coming days. The media meanwhile is in a frenzy, and no riders are safe from scrutiny. Rumors are swirling around Christoph Moreau's abandon, as his team was unaware that he was suffering from severe bachaches and general fatigue as he claimed to the press following his withdraw. One unnamed source, according to cyclingnews.com, also expressed concern that very few french riders were being tested.

After the first part of the season, where no positives were reported, the witch hunt seems to be on full steam for the Tour. And what about that? How could there have been no positive tests leading up the the Giro? Or the spring classics? Or the early season stage races (California, Mallorca, Paris-Nice, Tirreno Adriatico)? No rider is safe from the testers in the Tour, and more will surely be exposed as cheaters before all is said and done. One thing is for sure though: the fight against doping is a loooooong way from coming to an end.

Another Doper Caught at Tour: Barloworld's Moisés Dueñas

How stupid can people be? Moisés Dueñas of the Barloworld team was found positive for EPO from a test from stage four of the Tour, the individual time trial stage. A pro since 2002, Dueñas has never garnered big results, like Manuel Baltran, the other Spaniard who has tested positive for EPO in this year's tour. These revelations point to the fact that cycling is still a very dirty sport, with much work to do in the fight against doping.

Most concerning about Moisés Dueñas and Manuel Baltran is the fact that neither are high profile riders. Both are known more as team workers, not leaders. The fact that they are doping suggests that many riders still are. If a lesser known gregario is willing to dope, surely the team captains are tempted as well. Hopefully the Tour won't be faced with any more positives, as 2008 is starting to look more and more like 2007.

And what about those Spaniards? They seem to be constantly caught up in doping, while other countries stay out of trouble. Perhaps if there had been punishments from Operacion Puerto, Spain wouldn't have such a big doping problem. Meanwhile, one of the pre-race overall favorites Alejandro Valverde has lost large amounts of time and seems out of the hunt for the overall. Associated with Operacion Puerto documents, valv. piti. seems to be dope-free in this year's Tour.

One final point to ponder is why were there no positives at the Giro or any other early season races? Is the Tour the only race that riders dope for? Or is it that the Tour is the only race doing vigorous testing? Surely there were doped riders in Italy or at the classics this past spring, but the fact that they were not caught is disconcerting to say the least. With another positive test in this year's Tour, things may well start to spiral out of control for the sport of cycling.

Beltran Revives the War Against Doping: Liquigas Out of 2009 Tour?

Manuel Beltran's "A" sample from the Tour de France came back positive for EPO. This much is factual. However, the rider's "B" sample has not yet been tested, so theoretically Beltran should be considered innocent until the second test comes back. Unfortunately, in this world of instant news via the Internet, it is very rare that any athlete receives due process.

This is not to say that Beltran should not be castigated. It is unlikely that a second sample won't come back positive. Beltran is almost without a doubt guilty, but is he the only one? Is it all his fault? Often, the rider is hung out to dry on his own, and is the only one who faces sanctioning and penalties. None of the coaches, the team, or management usually face any traditional sanctioning, which is a shame. But times are changing for the better.

New teams like Columbia and Garmin-Chipotle are very careful about who they bring onto their team. They do extensive background research into each rider as an assurance that the rider is clean. Indeed, a rider like Beltran with a questionable past would NEVER be associated with a team like Garmin or Columbia. Other teams need to be more careful about who they choose to hire, as a rider who tests positive can now cost a team dearly in the months and years following their sanction.

The Liquigas team will be an interesting squad to watch over the next several months. They will be allowed to continue in the Tour, and will avoid the 100,000 euro fine because they took immediate action and removed beltranfrom the race. But what about next year? Now that one of their riders has tested positive, will the acid green and blue team be invited back to the Tour next year?

Adding to the situation is that Ivan Basso, currently on suspension for doping, will be making his come back in Liquigas colors. Will the organizers of the Tour de France be willing to have Basso ride their race (providing he is fit enough) or will they choose to leave Liquigas off the invite list next year? Nothing is for sure, but Beltran's transgression certainly didn't do his former team any favors.

Another Lance Armstrong Domestique Tests Positive as Beltran Caught EPO+ at Tour De France

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.

Out of the Limelight, Basso Trains, Eyes 2009 Debut

Word out of the Tuscany region in Italy says that deposed Italian star Ivan Basso is putting in huge hours on the bike, six days a week. He has a familiar climb that he has used to guage his fitness throughout his career, and he has supposedly shattered his records while out training. Recently annointed "Anti-Doping Ambassador" by the UCI, Basso signed with the Italian Liquigas team a few weeks ago, effectively returning him to approximately the same point he was at before his exclusion from the Tour de France in 2006.

Basso has always been a huge talent, and has won at every level of cycling. Whether he doped or not is less of an issue than in the past, as it seems that the European peloton is making strides in the fight against doping. Basso will compete on a more level playing field against a cleaner peloton when he returns. He'll have good team support from his new Liquigas team, and he is looking as though he'll at least be a threat in the 2009 Giro. His dedication to training has never been questioned, only his judgement. Hopefully, the second time around in pro cycling will go better for Basso. Best case scenario over the final few years of his career (he'll be 31 when he returns): One Tour de France win, two more Giro titles, and one classic. Worst case scenario: Makes a bunch of money over the next few years, fades away like Iban Mayo did.

Tyler Hamilton: Cycling's Lonely Pariah Soldiers On

Tyler Hamilton is a former Olympic gold medalist. He won the world's oldest classic, Liege-Bastogne-Liege, in 2003. He won the prestigious Dauphine Libere stage race in 2000. He finished second in the Giro d'Italia in 2002, and took a stage win. He rode for and against Lance Armstrong during his reign of terror in the early 2000's. And today he finished 119th out of 156 riders at the Tour of Columbia, a stranger in a strange land. It wasn't supposed to turn out this way.

Hamilton rode the 2002 Giro with a broken collar bone, and finished second overall

Tyler Hamilton was long known to his fans and peers as a hard working rider with limitless talent. A former skier, Hamilton found a love for cycling at a young age and quickly rose up the ranks, eventually riding for one of the most successful teams in cycling, the US Postal Service dynasty. It was at Postal that Hamilton was able to learn under fellow American phenom Lance Armstrong. He studied the ways of the Texan closely, and in 2002 made the jump to a different team, in search of his own squad to lead.

In 2002, CSC-Tiscali was a young team searching for its identity under team boss Bjarne Riis. French veteran Laurent Jalabert was the team leader back then, and Hamilton was brought in to carry the torch in stage races as the team's GC leader. He blossomed into the role, and by the time Jalabert retired at the end of 2002, the team was Hamilton's to lead. And lead he did.

Today, the only thing impressive about Hamilton's cycling is his team kit

Under Riis' watchful eye, Hamilton went on an impressive run, taking LBL, a stage and the overall at the Tour of Romandy and a stage in the Tour de France in 2003. By 2004, Hamilton was being mentioned as a real threat to Armstrong's TDF dominance. It was not meant to be. Hamilton crashed in stage 6, and abandoned seven long stages later in stage 13. He would never get a shot at the Tour again.

It was late summer in 2004 at the Vuelta Espana, and Hamilton was looking like a strong GC threat. But news came down that he had failed a blood test, and tested positive for doping. He was immediately kicked out of the race and fired by team Phonak. After a lengthy appeal process, Hamilton was found guilty every step of the way. To date, he has yet to admit that he doped.

Today, Hamilton rides for the only team that will have him, Rock Racing. He works for other suspected dopers, Santiago Botero and Oscar Sevilla among them. Since he returned from his suspension, Hamilton hasn't had one respectable result. He was blown away at the Tour of Georgia, and is being outridden by second rate pros in South America. In what looks like the sad final chapter for Hamilton, he can be seen riding at the back of a bunch on climbs or taking long pulls at the front on the flats for whichever ex-doper he happens to be riding for that day.

Hamilton was allowed to keep his gold medal after his 'B' analysis was mishandled

The next chance for Americans to see Hamilton will come at Philly Week in early June. There, he'll get another crack at some of the world's best as three Pro Tour teams are confirmed. Maybe he'll be competitive, but probably not. After all, the dope is gone, and apparently with it Hamilton's talent to ride a bicycle fast.

Basso to Become Anti-Doping Ambassador for UCI

Basso volunteered just enough to get the heat off of him, and now looks poised to come full circle, even though he never really admitted to anything

What the hell is happening to cycling? As reported by Eurosport and other outlets, deposed Italian cyclist Ivan Basso has been brought on board by the UCI to become an anti-doing ambassador after his suspension ends. Shouldn't his official title instead be "Attempted Anti-Doping Ambassador?" Basso never admitted to doping, only "attempted" doping. If Basso only "attempted" to dope, then Bill Clinton never inhaled and didn't f*!# Monika Lewinsky.

Don't get me wrong here either, I'm all for second chances. I rode with Basso in 2005, and found him to be a pretty cool dude. But I have a huge problem with someone who is unable to out and out admit that they did something wrong. Basso doped. Period. He may not have ever tested positive, but Simoni was right to call him an "extra-terrestrial" as he was dominating the 2006 Giro, riding away from the world's best climbers with ease.

When he was finally nailed to the wall by CONI and the UCI, he still didn't admit what he did, but chose to take the coward's way out and admit only what he had to admit. Meanwhile, riders like Andre Kashekin, Roberto Heras, and Jorg Jaksche can't find a contract after having admitted that they actually doped. What gives here? Why are the honest athletes being blacklisted while the slimier ones (Basso, Hondo, VDB, Di Luca, Valverde) roam free? Is there no justice in the sport of cycling? Apparently not.

Increasingly, Basso is looking more like a politician and less like an athlete. And if he spoke English just a bit better, I would think he was an American. I'm sure he and Roger Clemens could spend a nice evening talking about the millions of dollars they have made over the years for their lies and deception. I hope Basso comes back, races clean, and wins. But I fail to understand why Jaksche and the other honest, transparent names above can't do the same. It is time for cycling to reward honesty, and punish deception, instead of the other way around.

Petacchi Suspended, Vila Positive, But Do Fans Care?

Petacchi wasn't planning on riding the Giro this year, but his suspension will affect his planned participation in this year's Tour de France

Alessandro Petacchi lost his appeal to the CAS yesterday for his non-negative test in last year's Giro, and is now suspended until August of this year. The CAS panel determined that the Italian did in fact break the rules, but did not do so maliciously, so he faces only a one year ban.

Meanwhile, Patxi Vila, the Spaniard of the Lampre team, has reportedly tested positive for abnormal testosterone levels. He faces a two year ban if found guilty. Lampre is standing behind their rider, and urging all to suspend judgment until the counter analysis has been completed.

With more doping related news sweeping through the peloton, the question of how the sport will be affected is top of mind. Fans seem not to care about doping in the peloton. A recent survey here on Euro Peloton revealed that fans will never stop following cycling, even if convicted dopers return to cycling. Most fans seem to be jaded by the myriad problems affecting the sport. They have become numb to the doping issue, and seem perpetually ready to forgive and forget.

Vila, here shown winning a stage in Paris-Nice ahead of Floyd Landis in 2006, faces a two year ban for abnormal testosterone, just like Landis

All of this is good news for Petacchi and others, who can expect to recieve huge support from their fans as they make their comebacks. Indeed, a rider like Ivan Basso seems to be more popular than he was before his doping confession. When riders cheat, it would seem, they become more human to fans, more vulnerable. This underdog factor tends to galvanize their fan base instead of alienating it. And as long as a sponsor like Liquigas or LPR are willing to sign tainted riders, all ends well for an accused/guilty cyclist.

UCI Reveals 'Top Rider' is Positive . . . But Who?

Science is finally starting to catch up with today's cheats as the war against doping continues

UCI head Pat McQuaid and colleague Anne Gripper announced yesterday in Switzerland that a 'top rider' has been found with abnormal blood values, and will face sanctioning for the positive test. With the lack of a positive ID, the speculation can begin for who the big name is that will face sanctioning. Although innocent until proven guilty, below are the most likely suspects.

Alejandro Valverde, Caisse d'Epargne

"The Green Bullet," or "valv.piti" according to the Operacio Puerto documents, has long been under suspicion for doping, even if he has never been convicted. A talented rider, Valverde was referenced numerous times in the Puerto documentation, and was saved by his country's governing body closing the case on Puerto, effectively ending any chance at disclosure, which was a shame for the sport of cycling. He had a very quiet early season until his win at Liege, which may point to the fact that he was lying low trying to avoid further suspicion. Should the Spaniard be 'the one', the LBL title would go to a much deserving Davide Rebellin.

Danilo Di Luca, LPR Brakes

Di Luca too has been suspected of foul play, and the 2007 Liege-Bastogne-Liege winner even served a three month sentence in the "Oil for Drugs" case from a few years ago. Always calm, the sauve Italian says he has nothing to worry about. He has logged very few results thus far in 2008, much like Valverde. With the Giro right around the corner, Di Luca must hope he'll not be kept from riding in defense of his 2007 title. A suspension at this point in his career would effectively end his tenure as a pro cyclist.

Andreas Kloden, Astana

Kloden has made strange choices recently that have drawn suspicion to the aging German stage racer. He decided to leave team High Road (then T-Mobile) just as they began their exhaustive anti-doping program, and then he was "sick" for the majority of the early season. Recently, German authorities have alleged that he was among the T-Mobile riders that blood doped in the 2006 Tour de France, but no charges have been formally filed. If Kloden is found guilty, the Astana team would fall even further out of grace with ASO and RCS Sport, the organizers of many of the important European races. Needless to say, Astana can't afford any more doping cases as they try to rebuild their credibility.

Allessandro Petacchi, Milram

"Ale-Jet," like all of the other riders on this list, has already been accused of doping, either frormally or informally. In fact, the Italian sprinting ace is waiting for judgement to be passed down for a non-negative test in last year's Giro. Also, like the others above, a two year sanction for Petacchi will no doubt spell the end to his career. Once one of the most feared sprinters in the peloton, Petacchi has not been able to harness his winning form since injuring his knee cap two seasons ago.

Whomever is named as the rider guilty of doping, it can't be good for cycling, and the bigger the name, the worse the sport will suffer. But it's like they say, "you can't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs." Hopefully the rider found guilty will serve as one more warning to riders thinking of doping. As time goes on, the biological passport system will make it more and more difficult to cheat, which is just how most fans and riders want it.

Liquigas Kicked Out of Rund um den Henninger-Turm; Rasmussen, Vino to Follow Basso in 2009?

News trickled down today out of Germany that the Italian Liquigas team will not be at the start line of the upcoming German semi-classic Rund um den Henninger-Turm, as they would not agree to sign the "statement of honor" document required of all registered teams. Already Liquigas seems to be preparing for the arrival of Ivan Basso, as the tainted star was signed a few days ago by the Italian Pro Tour outfit. Liquigas is having to face scrutiny from race organizers literally the day after they announced the signing, and Basso's actual return is still a half year away. The alleged "statement of honor" must have asked Liquigas to admit something that they no longer can: that they are in compliance with cycling's world governing body rules. They are not.

Everyone deserves a second chance, right Vino?

The Pro Tour ethics code stipulates that if a rider is sanctioned for doping, he is not allowed to sign for a Pro Tour team for four years. After having withdrawn itself from the AIGCP, Liquigas has placed itself in a tough spot as it struggles to defend the choice to sign Basso. The way the situation is handled by other race organizers will have a huge effect on how future cases are dealt with. If Liquigas succeeds and Basso is able to start the Giro and other major races in 2009, what should stop another rider, either unsanctioned or done with his two year ban, from jumping onto a different Pro Tour team? Further, if Liquigas is eventually stripped of it's Pro Tour status, but still earns invites to the year's biggest races, won't other teams follow that same course and sign whomever they please?

The Pro Tour may go the way of the old cycling World Cup in 2008

Worse still, will cycling fans soon have to watch Michael Rasmussen, Alexandre Vinokourov, Andre Kashikin, and others be rewarded with lucrative high profile contracts from other Pro Tour teams in the near future? Perish the thought, but wouldn't Jan Ullrich, who is facing no sanction, at least consider returning if the price was right? In what could turn into a real mess, the above riders and others may soon be in the picture, as the fight against doping continues. Just don't necessarily expect their teams to be at the biggest races, as it looks like the race organizers, not the UCI's Pro Tour, will govern the sport into 2009.

Basso to Liquigas, Pro Tour Ethics Code Ignored

Ivan Basso has reportedly signed a contract to race for the Italian Liquigas team after his suspension ends later this year. His new sponsor Liquigas withdrew itself as a member of the Internationale des Groupes Cyclistes Professionnels (AIGCP) yesterday, headed by Cofidis' Eric Boyer. Like Discovery did last year, Liquigas cited lack of unity in the group as the reason for their leaving. Yeah right.

Basso has kept under cover the last few months, but is now plotting his return to cycling

They are withdrawing for one reason and one reason only: Ivan Basso. Additionally, expect them to disassociate themselves from the Pro Tour in the near future as well. The Pro Tour ethics code stipulates that any rider sanctioned for doping must serve an additional two year suspension from riding on a Pro Tour team. Basso will have served two years when he begins riding for Liquigas, who is currently a Pro Tour team.

Basso thinks he can win the Giro again in 2009 despite having been away from competition for two years

In what is a huge blow to Pat McQuaid and the Pro Tour, Liquigas is confirming what many already knew: the Pro Tour won't be around much longer. Following ASO and RCS Sport's decision to exclude select Pro Tour teams from their events, much of the Pro Tour's influence dissappeared. Liquigas signing Basso could prove to be the death blow to the Pro Tour, as teams are realizing that they don't need to be in the Pro Tour to get invited to the year's biggest races.

When Basso returns, will he still have the accelerations in the high mountains?

Meanwhile, all is falling into place nicely for Basso. After the initial firestorm over his semi-confession, the Italian has humbly built himself back up in his native Italy, positioning himself as a casualty in the fight against doping. When he was sanctioned, many thought he would never ride for a big time team again. With the news of Liquigas signing him, Basso has almost come full circle. Now all that is left is for the Italian to get back to racing. Whether he'll still be "Ivan the Terrible" however, remains to be seen.

Di Luca Cleared By CONI, Giro Defense Back On Track

Di Luca will get the chance to don the Maglia Rosa and pop the bubbly again in 2008

Danilo Di Luca was cleared yesterday by the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) in the "Oil for Drugs" scandal involving his low hormone levels at last year's Giro d'Italia. Di Luca, having been dropped from his former Pro Tour sponsor Liquigas, now can hope to defend his Giro d'Italia title for the continental LPR Brakes team. Di luca will have the benefit of two-time Giro winner Paolo Salvodelli, who signed with the team for 2008, in the high mountains as he tries to defend his 2007 Giro title.

Di Luca, even as a junior, showed big promise

Di Luca won't be able to defend his 2007 Liege title as his team has not been invited, but that will only give "The Killer" more time to prepare for his Giro defense. He'll be a formidable adversary for Riccardo Ricco, Gilberto Simoni, Franco Pellizotti, and Stephano Garzelli for the 91st edition of the Giro d'Italia.

The spoils of victory: Di Luca's custom-pinked Giro carbon handlebars---sah-weet

Now that Di Luca has been cleared by the governing body, how must the Liquigas company feel? They invested in Di Luca only to see his and their name tarnished by false doping allegations. Now Di Luca is viewed as "innocent," but he is no longer associated with the Liquigas team after being dropped amid threats of sanctioning. Di Luca looks to be a casualty in the war against doping, as he'll have to hope to get back onto a Pro Tour team in the next year or two. Small comfort to a man who was nearly stripped of his hard earned 2007 Giro title.

Valverde still M.I.A. in 2008

Where have you been so far in 2008 Alejandro?

Alejandro Valverde, one of the most dominant riders in the world only two seasons ago, has been unseen thus far in 2008. While his biggest rivals for the 2008 Tour de France were battling it out in Spain at the Vuelta al Pais Vasco, Valverde didn't even take the start line. He rode the event the past five years. Linked to the now infamous Operacion Puerto as early as in 2006, Valverde hasn't been the same rider since the huge investigation broke.

Valverde has been a part of doped teams, including the Kelme squad of Jesus Manzano and Roberto Heras

Valverde has never failed an in or out of competition drug control. But he also hasn't been able to harness the dominant form that saw him win both the Fleche Wallonne and Liege-Bastogne-Liege in 2006. In 2007, he finished second in both events. He did not win any significant races in 2007.

Valverde usually starts chasing hardware at the Fleche

To be fair, Valverde hasn't ever had great early season results. The Fleche tends to be his first big target, and he usually does well in the Wallonnian classic. Nevertheless, Valverde's low profile must raise red flags about his possible doping practices. Whether he'll be investigated or charged (not likely) with doping remains to be seen, but the question will always be there. At least until he gets some big results in 2008.

Basso to Rock Racing?

Could Basso's best days already be behind him?

The rumors are flying in southern California, as Ivan Basso has been spotted in the Golden state test riding a Seven bike. Sources have it that Basso is considering returning to the peloton under the Rock Racing moniker. Could the Italian make a worse decision?

Not only is Rock not eligible to compete in the bigger European races, they are a publicity nightmare. If Basso was to sign with the Rock team, he would lose what little credibility he has left. Just ask Tyler Hamilton, who has largely become a joke as he leads out his doper teammates. Surely Basso has close friends and confidants who can advise him againt making a terrible mistake.

Ivan Basso no doubt wants to get back to racing as soon as possible once his ban ends. Too, he wants to get paid as much as possible to ply his trade. Rock Racing certainly has a decent budget and could throw a lot in Basso's direction. But if Rock wasn't good enough even for a washed up Lion King, how could they possibly be satisfactory to a geniune grand tour contender? Basso needs to tread lightly as he makes his decision, as he could end up alienating the few fans he has left, not to mention the rest of the cycling world.

Basso, Ullrich, Others to Start Pro-Conti Cycling Team

Big Plans: Basso prepares his 'Second Chance'

Ivan Basso has scheduled a press conference for this Friday in Milano to announce the formation of a new Continental cycling team for 2009. The currently suspended Italian cycling star has initiated the venture with recently retired German stage race contender Jan Ullrich. Tentatively scheduled to debut in next year’s Tour of Qatar, the team will feature many names currently under suspicion or suspension for doping-related offences.

When contacted by Euro Peloton via email last week, Basso expressed his optimism regarding his new venture. “I, like many suspended cyclists, have run into many negative polemics regarding a new contract to race when my suspension ends. With this new team, black listed riders will be given another chance to start over, without being judged.”

Four-time Vuelta winner Heras is being linked to Basso's new team

So will Ullrich be coming back as a racer? Far from it, according to Basso. “Jan will be one of our director sportifs and the nutritional consultant for the team. He misses cycling terribly, and I think he will be a great coach to our riders, someone they can depend on to provide the best tactics for each race and to advise them on what to eat and what not to eat to become the best athletes they can be. Of course he’ll train with us too though.”

The preliminary list of riders who have already verbally committed to riding for the newly-formed team include Jorg Jaschke and Roberto Heras, formerly of the Liberty-Seguros team, Francesco Mancebo, currently riding for the relax team, Frank Vandenbrouke, currently under contract with Mitsubishi-Jartazzi, and Floyd Landis, currently suspended for his 2006 Tour de France positive test.

Landis has verbally pledged his support to team 'Second Chance'

According to Basso, many sponsors have expressed interest in supporting the team. Basso and his management team are considering GNC nutritional supplemants, WD-40, Haagen-Dazs ice cream, Red Bull energy drink and Kryptonite locks as potential title sponsors. Like American team Slipstream, Basso plans on naming his team and having a presenting title sponsor. So what will the name be? “I have put much thought into what we should name our team, and have decided on ‘Second Chance’ as the name.”

WD-40 likes Basso's slick approach to cycling

Other names that are rumored to be joining the newly formed team include Mario Cipollini, Alexander Vinokorouv and Tyler Hamilton. Basso also mentioned another personal friend, albeit in a round about way. “Our team believes in living strong, so we want those individuals who live strong in their own right. I still have many friends in the sport, and am calling on all of them to form the best team in the world!” Any cycling fan reading between the lines will know that Basso could be talking about only one man: Lance Armstrong. Euro Peloton tried to reach Armstrong at his home in Austin, but was told by a representative that he was on a flight to Europe "travelling."

Ullrich claims that his bikes will be a part of the 2009 pro peloton

Ullrich meanwhile, has been mum on the issue, preferring to wait until Friday to make any sort of statement. When reached for comment by Euro Peloton, the former Tour de France winner did not deny the story. “I look forward to Friday’s press conference, where we will all learn more about the rumors that have been circulating.” When pressed about what he meant, Ullrich would say only that his recently formed bicycle company has been contracted for a newly-formed team. “Ullrich road bicycles will be ridden next season in the European peloton. We are currently producing the first prototypes, which will be tested and ready by late summer.”

Could Basso coax a certain 7-time TDF champ out of retirement to race for team 'SecondChance'?

Stay tuned to Euro Peloton for the remainder of the week for updates on the Friday press conference and subsequent announcements from Ivan Basso and team Second Chance.

Landis' Last Stand: Floyd Tries One Last Time to Clear His Name

Once again, Floyd Landis had his day in court, as he exercised his final right to appeal in regards to his positive doping test in the 2006 Tour de France. Landis has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars over the past two years in an attempt to have his positive doping result overturned, but as of yet the Pennsylvanian hasn't been able to turn the tides in his favor.

Landis rode like a super human in the 2006 Tour, and then tested positive

With his final chance at appeal, Landis will depend on the talent to his lawyer, Maurice Suh, in hopes that the Court of Arbitration for Sport will see things his way and overturn his ban. Landis' lawyers will no doubt pull out all the stops to prove the innocence of the deposed Tour de France champ.

Hamilton won gold in the Olympics and then was banned for doping

The cycling world has watched Landis swim upstream over the last few years, and will no doubt shake their heads sadly when the CAS panel once again finds Floyd guilty. In cycling, once you are accused or found guilty of doping, you find very few friends within the cycling realm. Landis no doubt has learned this over the past few years.

The worst part about all of this is that the cycling public will never really have closure. Sure, Landis will be considered guilty according to the governing bodies of sport, but he'll never admit that he doped. Like Tyler Hamilton, Landis will continue to profess his innocence, even after being convicted numerous times. But what can we expect from Landis, he learned from the best in the world how to cheat and how to deny---Lance Armstrong.

Heras probably started doping with the Kelme teams in the early 90's

Armstrong won seven Tours de France. He was a world champion. He survived cancer. He beat known dopers by large margins, including Marco Pantani, Ivan Basso and Jan Ullrich. But he didn't dope? His former teammates Hamilton, Landis, Roberto Heras, Frankie Andreau, all admitted or were found to have doped. But did Armstrong? No, cries his fan base and huge legal team. Lance just worked harder than everyone else. Bullcrap. Total bullcrap. There is no way Armstrong could have defeated the likes of Rasmussen, Basso and Ullrich unless he had some sort of help. As a matter of fact, if he was doping, he was probably using blood transfusions as his method. But like Hamilton and Landis, Armstrong would never admit he doped, even if he did. He made far too many millions of dollars to admit the truth now.

Armstrong en route to his first Tour win in 1999

And it's that same with Landis. He figures that if he continues to deny, public opinion will be on his side in the long run. Unfortunately, that's just not true. Real cycling fans, while not eager to admit it, realize that Landis et all did in fact dope. As a matter of fact, almost ALL riders in the 90's doped. It was a doping culture. But we, the American cycling public, are to believe that these Americans are being held to the fire unjustly? Maybe some fans will accept that line of bull, but not this one. Sad but true, Landis, Hamilton, and even those that have never been convicted, are guilty no matter what they may say over the years.

2006 T-Mobile Rider Sinkewitz Names Kloden as Blood Doper; Astana, High Road Futures in Jeopardy?

Kloden in the 2006 Tour de France?

German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung has reported that Patrick Sinkewitz, formerly of the mighty magenta T-Mobile squad, has revealed to authorities that Andreas Kloden, currently riding for Astana and formerly of the T-Mobile team, was present at the Freiburg University clinic ahead of the 2006 Tour de France the day that Sinkewitz blood-doped ahead of the 2006 Tour.

Sinkewitz is the first rider ever to break the peloton omerta

Sinkewitz's lawyer wouldn't reveal specifics, but did inform the press "that Mr. Sinkewitz gave names, but for reasons related to the case, I can neither confirm nor deny the names circulating." In what could be a huge blow to the Astana and High Road squads, Sinkewitz's testimony could pave the way for new sanctions against both Pro Tour teams.

Kloden's past at T-Mobile could haunt his future at Astana

Already booted from all ASO-sponsored events for 2008, the Astana squad is battling to get out from under the cloud of suspicion created by the previous Astana regime, lead by Mark Biver. If Kloden is found guilty of doping, it would be another log on an already huge fire around the Astana team. Not only would ASO be justified in keeping the team from participating in their events for 2008, but they could then decide to ban the team from all events for 2009 as well.

Skeletor: Biver will forever be remembered as a cheater and a liar

For High Road, the implications aren't good either. With this new revelation, ASO may turn it's cannons on Bob Stapleton's revamped team, claiming that they have not been fully transparent regarding former members of their team. Astana General manager Johan Bruyneel has enough problems cleaning up his team's image, the last things he and Astana need is one more scandal. As things stand, Sinkewitz's claims bring only bad publicity to both High Road and Astana. Sad times for cycling, as more doping-related news hits the streets.

Not happy: Sinkewitz's testimony could have far reaching consequences for Bruyneel's Astana squad

Coming Clean: Ex-Rabo Rider Breaks Peloton Omerta, Admits He Knew Of Rasmussen's Wherabouts Ahead of 08 Tour

Rasmussen's ex-teammates aren't surprised that he wasn't in Mexico in June of 08

Max Van Heeswijck, who rode for team Rabobank in 2007, stated on a Netherlands TV show that he and other Rabo riders knew Rasmussen was not in Mexico in June of 2007. According to cyclingnews.com, he told UCI officials, "It was no news to us that Rasmussen was not in Mexico," said Van Heeswijk. "Around the sixth of July I heard that when I was in a training camp with a large group of non-Tour riders."

Van Heeswijck (shown here in the Discovery 2006 team kit) claims he and other 2007 Rabo riders knew that Rasmuss en wasn't in Mexico in June 2007, as he told UCI officials

Breaking the peloton Omerta, Van Heeswijck came clean regarding his knowledge of Rasmussen's whereabouts ahead of last year's Tour. This revelation comes as a surprise, as Europoean pros typically refuse to share details regarding teammates or fellow riders. Whether Van Heeswijck will be shunned going forward remains to be seen.

Jaksche hasn't had many calls for his services since speaking out against others in the peloton about doping

Rasmussen was present recently for a TV interview along side David Cassani, the former pro and curent TV commentator who exposed Rasmussen's wherabouts ahead of last year's Tour. Rasmussen allowed that he did not have a problem with what Cassani revealed. Rasmussen told Cassani on the program, "I know who sent me home. You told your story in good faith."

Cassani was exhonerated by Rasmussen, according to cyclingnews.com.

Van Heeswijck's statements may suggest that active pro cyclists may be more likely to reveal the "secrets" of the European Peloton. Max Van Heeswick's actions may pave the way for other prominant pros to step forward with pertinant information in the fight against doping, leading to a cleaner peloton overall.

If these ex-riders could (or would) talk: Heras and others (Floyd Landis, Jose Luis Rubiera, Victor Hugo Pena, Viatcheslav Ekimov, Pavel Padronos an Benoit Joachim may have secrets about Armstrong and his Tour de France runs that the public may not have heard yet

Astana To Miss the Tour de France in 2008? TDF Works To Keep All Dopers Away

With rumors circulating that the Astana team and others may be left off of the Tour de France's invite list for 2008, let's take time to consider the implications of such a decision.

First and foremost, last year's champion, Alberto Contador, would miss his chance at defending his title, which he won dubiously when multiple race leaders/contenders were kicked out of the Tour last year for doping related suspicions. Contador would like nothing more than to defend his title and put to rest any doubts about the worthiness of his 2007 win. With the exclusion of the Astana team, this would not be a possibility.

Contador (left) and Valverde (right) may not get a chance to contest the 2008 Tour de France

Levi Leipheimer, older by the day, also would miss what will probably be his last chance at overall victory in Le Tour. He would be co-leader at the Tour this year, but probably for the last time, perhaps being left to wonder what could have been in 2007.

Lost Dreams: Will Leipheimer (right) have to pay for his teammate's and title sponsor's mistakes in 2008?

Andreas Kloden too would be kept from contending the overall in the Tour. Kloden, like Leipheimer, is getting older (32 yrs old) and has only a few more years to ride in the world's biggest bike race. While he probably would ride in support of Leipheimer and Contador, he would also no doubt have a few chances at a stage victory.

Kloden, shown here pacing Vinokourov in the 2007 Tour before Vino's blood doping positive, may be punished for his former teammate's choices

While the lack of the "Big Three" in France for 2008 would be hard to take, the lack of the entire Astana team would change the race even more dramatically. Astana is one of the few teams strong enough to control the peloton, to set the pace for the day. If removed, the Tour could turn into a chaotic free-for-all each day, as teams jostle for superiority. While it would make for exciting racing, it could also lead to huge time gaps early on in the race, which would take the drama out of the later stages.

It's not only Astana that may not be tendered an invite to the Tour. Rumors are swirling out of France that no one is safe, Pro Tour team or not. With the recent news about CONI, the Italian Olympic Committee, wanting to question both Contador and Caisse d'Epargne's Alejandro Valverde, trouble could be on the way for the Spanish team as well. And while CONI can't suspend Valverde, they can bar him from competing on Italian soil. If he were sanctioned, his participation at the Tour would be impossible as the race makes a brief foray into Italy in 2008.

Nowadays, one person's poor choices can affect many in cycling, just ask the Caise d'Epargne boys. Valverde is shown fourth from right, front row

Add to the mix the fact that Tour director Christian Prudhomme has a very itchy trigger finger when it comes to protecting the Tour from suspected dopers, 2008 could see some of the world's biggest and best cycling outfits prevented from contesting the Grand Boucle.

Prudhomme will do his all to protect his beloved Tour from cheaters in 2008, even if it means judging riders based only on circumstantial evidence