Decanio on doping at racelistings.com

Altnot Bonzio

Date: 15 Jun 2004 05:38:45
From: chris
Subject: Re: Decanio on doping at racelistings.com

This is nothing new, though. There are a few teams out there
who seem to turn their riders into a--holes, including a few
junior programs. A few years ago I was cooling down after a
race with a friend when we noticed a prominent NE team ride
by an average joe cyclist with (obvious) mechanical problems
like he didn't exist. We turned around. I'm not saying we're
special, just that we're not winning friends in the public
by being dicks.

Regarding Decanio, I found it an interesting read, but not
too surprising. I've heard a few Saturn stories and U.S.
doping in general. Its so easy to get away with here and its
easy to get good drugs. My views on doping have changed over
the years, but I will say that doping to win some regional
race in the U.S. like Athens Twilight, Bear Mountain or the
Green Mnt Stage race is laim; who are you impressing? God,
I've heard of cat 3's and 4's doping! At least get your D-1
pro contract first and then make that decision. However, if
anyone out there believes Hein's claim that 95% of the Euro
Pro's are clean they're smoking crack. Overall, I think most
of us can pick out the dopers in the U.S. and clean guys;
some guys win big races, others dominate from March to
September. At least in the U.S. you can certainly compete
clean and win, just not so often (e.g. Mark McCormack).

When I was in Ireland a few weeks ago I caught a great 2 hr
program on doping in sport, with an emphasis on cycling and
running. They had interviews with Robin Seymour (top Irish
cycling MTB), Paul Kimmage, Dick Pound and UCI notables. It
was amazing, the Pound is pointing fingers saying cycling
has a problem, but that doping isn't widespread, the UCI
says 5-10%, and clean riders are saying 95%. Some
researchers are now saying that some genetic manipulation
may already exist. I think what Decanio claims is just the
tip. As I said, its easy to do here and easy to get, so its
very tempting. Whether you agree or not, doping at the top
may be a "necessary evil", but juniors and U-23's need to
realize they need to get to the top on their own merits, not
chemicals. Who want's to dope up to finish last in P-R?
Maybe too many.

CH BTW: I am in no way implying or pointing fingers at any
U.S. rider in particular, just generalizing from what I
know (seen/verified) and have heard (rumor or heresay from
those I trust).

> It rang true to me. I am surprised too that he said as
> much about Saturn
as he
> did. I do not have the best of things to say about the
> Saturn Junior team
from
> experience with them. They had some good kids, but a bunch
> of them were at least as nasty as anything said about
> Gags, or Sundt. If JT is bringing this up, and it doesn't
> surprise Richard then your going
to
> have to prove otherwise to me. Bill C