The latest news from highly respected anti-doping expert Sandro Donati confirms what many of us suspected in the 90s when Miguel Indurain dominated the racing scene. The fact that someone of Big Mig’s height and weight could climb better, stronger, and faster than the pure climbers of the era turned many of us away from the sport, myself included. Indurain’s stranglehold on cycling was as laughable as the efforts of RCS to ensure Francesco Moser (also a well known client of Francesco Conconi) won his hallowed Grand Tour in 1984. The only difference was Indurain didn’t have to use a helicopter to ensure his victories. No, Indurain preferred to use chemical means through the good doctor Conconi, who was one of many practicing the dark arts that came out of Eastern Bloc research of the 60s and 70s, built on the foundation of the Germans in the 30s and 40s.

So here we are with the doping beachhead of the 90s, or the naughties, as several journalists have taken to calling it. Sure, Indurain doped. Pantani doped. Armstrong doped. However, we’re again missing the point entirely, and are in danger of repeating our mistakes. How so?

There are currently two types of “back room boys” in cycling. By “back room boys,” I mean the managers, the support staff, and the doctors who are involved in the sport. There are those who are telling the truth, and those who wish to “leave things in the past” by refusing to talk about their history. From a psychological perspective, if those who have done naughty things in the past are allowed to skate away without being confronted, they may feel they have “carte blanche” to continue their activities, or perhaps slip back into old habits.

I recently went on a Twitter rant about Team Sky in this respect. I compared Geert Leinders at Sky to Ferrari working at US Postal during the Lance era. This in itself really isn’t a fair comparison, as Ferrari was never directly paid by US Postal for his work with Armstrong, while Leinders was paid and directly employed by Team Sky. My issue with Leinders working with Team Sky is the fact that a doctor who has multiple fingers pointed at him for doping practices has had direct contact with riders at Team Sky. How can Team Sky guarantee Leinders didn’t make side deals with riders to help their performance? How can Team Sky guarantee that Leinders didn’t employ questionable “techniques” on riders without their knowledge? How can Team Sky guarantee Leinders isn’t still in contact with riders at the team?

While Team Sky stated they’ve conducted a sufficient investigation into Leinders, my concern is that there are situations which haven’t yet been revealed which could damage Team Sky’s reputation in the future. What also bothers me is that Team Sky ignored inquiries from multiple journalists during Leinders’ tenure at the team, as Paul Kimmage documented on Twitter a few weeks back. Why are Team Sky reluctant to address the Leinders questions publicly? Why not release bio-passport information to skilled scientists such as Mike Ashenden to say for certain that Leinders had no biological impact on the team? And what if Leinders did have an impact? Team Sky has the opportunity to proactively address the issue, rather than reactively try dispose of skeletons which could scuttle the Team Sky experiment entirely.

The danger of not acknowledging this past and avoiding a public discourse on Leinders leads us to what could be the end result for the future for Team Sky: the Jim Ochowicz conundrum. You see, teams that just continually attempt to ignore their employees’ past sins run the danger of stacking problem on top of problem on top of problem until the skeletons are piled so high you can’t even see the ocean.

Jim Ochowicz with John Lelangue at the 2012 Tour de France. Will Ochowicz be subjected to more scrutiny? (image courtesy Casey B. Gibson via velonews.com)

Ochowicz has a long history in cycling and he’s one who has been “around” whenever controversy has occurred. 1984 and blood doping at the Olympics? Ochowicz was there alongside Edmund Burke, who performed the procedures deemed illegal. Alexi Grewal’s positive test? Ochowicz’s name popped up. Chris Carmichael gets sued by Greg Strock and Alex Keiter? Ochowicz was USA Cycling president and the case was magically settled out of court. Thomas Weisel torpedoes his Motorola team and creates US Postal out of the ashes? Ochowicz goes to work for Weisel and went on to manage money at Thomas Weisel Partners (TWP) for UCI president Hein Verbruggen. After that, Ochowicz consulted for Team Phonak, which had almost every major star busted for doping in some form or fashion. And of course Ochowicz’s current team hasn’t escaped dodgy insinuations, with Sven Schoutteten, a BMC soigneur, being arrested in 2011 in connection with a drug mule sting in Brussels. What did Och have to say about that? “A part-time soigneur for us? His name means nothing to me. I also don’t know anything about an arrest. This is the first I’ve heard of it,” he claimed, even though the soigneur’s name appeared on the official BMC staff roster.

The danger with Ochowicz’s interesting links coming to light is that it can cause damage for his bright young stars – Taylor Phinney and Tejay Van Garderen among them – who are at the forefront of a culture change in the sport. It also wrongly casts shadows of suspicion on riders such as Cadel Evans. Is this fair for the sport? In light of the fact that representation for Team BMC said it “wasn’t appropriate” for Ochowicz to make any public comments shows there’s the proverbial smoke that could lead to a disastrous fire for BMC, which could then prompt another Andy Rihs exit from pro cycling.

Ochowicz may well be a born-again anti-doping/anti-corruption crusader in spite of his past connections, links, and actions. However, unlike several of his counterparts who have been confessing to more transgressions than a Jerry Springer TV show guest, Ochowicz has chosen to duck in the ditch.

It is the wrong choice.

This is the same mistake Team Sky is making by refusing to confront the Leinders issue with their hat in their hands and transparency in their heart. Both teams need to be willing to address their histories openly and honestly in order for the sport to move forward. Remaining tight-lipped and refusing to acknowledge the history of Ochowicz’s dubious links is just going to make the situation worse for the sport and for Team BMC. Team Sky refusing to discuss Leinders publicly and openly will eventually catch up to them the same way Ochowicz’s history is catching up with him and potentially tainting the BMC brand.

These teams and their actions aren’t above suspicion. However, It isn’t fair that one or two individuals sour the whole barrel of apples. But if you don’t rummage around and pull out the bruised apple, we all know what eventually happens. The whole barrel becomes rotten.

It’s time for these “rotten apples” to expose their bruises and come clean with their activities. The alternative is   for those in positions of influence in their teams or in the sport governing body to expose the “rotten apples” and remove them from the barrel. Permanently.

Crowd sourcing comes to cycling (photo courtesy of Team Traveller)

Worst Five Things of the Week

Numero Cinco

CONI Requests four-year ban for Savio

So the criminal courts clear Gianni Savio from any wrongdoing. Savio has proof of no wrongdoing. However, it seems that CONI feels that he’s done something wrong in reference to the case, and has asked for a four-year ban? If I were Holczer, Vaughters, Bruyneel, or any other manager, I would look upon this development with alarm. Holding managers responsible for members of their team doping? That’s preposterous and completely ridiculous.

Numero Cuatro

Klöden declares WINNING is more important than family

Well, it seems that Andreas Klöden’s trek to the dark side of the force is complete. Eschewing the notion that a happy family is a vital component to a long and stress-free life, Klöden has basically declared that the brothers Schleck need to forget any familial allegiances to achieve greater professional gain. Of course, this sort of selling-your-soul-to-feed-your-own-selfishly-egoistical pursuits is really nothing new for Klöden. And it’s unfortunate that Becca and crew have failed to realize the marketing potential of having the first brother act on the podium at the Tour De France.

Numero Tres

No Place for Alexandr Kolobnev with Katusha in 2012

So once again it’s shown that it never pays to fall on your sword for your team, for your countrymen, or for one-day allegiances. Seems that Kolobnev has been told there’s no room at the Katusha table for him. Shocking. Funny how one guy just seems to have bad luck follow him at every turn. Maybe he should call Floyd Landis for pointers on the next steps to take.

Numero Dos

AFLD ends disciplinary action against Jeannie Longo

What a fooking disaster this is. I blame the Spanish. They started it. Oh wait! Or was it the Italians? No, maybe the Russians. Ah well, at least the Americans still believe in crime and punishment for the guilty, i.e., the end user.

Numero Uno

Vino Vino Vino

Quit being cheap. With the advent of social media platforms, everyone thinks that they don’t need PR people anymore. Guess what? Some people really should turn their PR statements over to someone else to release. Like Vino. Facebook? really? With unfortunate and questionable English usage? Sigh… Even I have an editor for my pieces. Yes, even yours truly isn’t fooking perfect. What? Sorry? Yes, yes, I’ll put the curtain back up. *chuckle*

Best Five Things of the Week

Number Five

Dan Lloyd speaks his mind on leaving Garmin

Why is it that almost every single person who leaves Garmin has nothing nice to say about their experience with the team? Lloyd, Lowe, Hushovd are just three of the latest examples of this. In fact, Lowe actually filed a complaint with the UCI back in June or so. But more on that down the road. Good for Lloyd speaking out, which led to quite an interesting Twitter debate between Shane Stokes of Velonation and Garmin poohbah Jonathan Vaughters, leading to a public apology by JV. Yet, Lionel Birnie just HAD to get his two cents in on it as well. Plus, the Twitter masses lining up to either support or skewer Mr. Vaughters made for an entertaining weekend on the social media platform.

Number Four

James Stout begins a crowdsourcing fund for a cycling team

I’m a big admirer of this lad. First off, he made the decision to leave a full racing calendar in the States to return home to Europe for health reasons after his employer withheld agreed-upon medication necessary to control his Type 1 diabetes. Second, he was unwilling to be “dissuaded” from revealing his unfortunate experiences, and chose to be publicly forthcoming in speaking out about the mistreatment he received. Thirdly, he resisted the temptation to turn his back on the sport, and chose instead to race for a new cycling team, Team Traveller, beginning in June. Now the lad would like to make Team Traveller a haven for those in pro-cycling who have received a raw deal from other teams. I predict a bright future for Stout. Take the time to support his initiative.

Number Three

Evans given vintage Cadillac Coupe as reward for Tour success

What makes this story one of the best of the week is the fact that the Caddy wasn’t a gift from BMC team owner Andy Rihs, but rather from rival WorldTour team owner Gerry Ryan of GreenEDGE. Ryan, is, of course, a fellow countryman to Evans and one really can’t fault his nationalistic largesse to the first Aussie Tour winner. But is this really permissible under UCI WorldTour rules? Absolutely, as we aren’t playing college-level American sports here. The question remains, however, if this could be construed as down payment for a future contract with GreenEDGE. I wonder what the current members of GREENedge have to say about the gift? Reminds me of the Jean-Francois Bernard/Bernard Tapie Porsche debacle.

Number Two

There’s new energy coming into women’s cycling

I’m very thrilled to see Lululemon getting involved in women’s cycling. I’m also very thrilled to see Kristy Scrymgeour move up to the team manager role for the Specialized-Lululemon squad. Here’s hoping this might cause the men’s side to re-examine to whom they pitch sponsorship opportunities, as Lululemon is a solid fit for this aspect of the sport. Those who have been around the team say the energy is overwhelming positive, which should translate into a very successful year for the team.

Number One

Pat McQuaid 2011 Round Up

I am thrilled at the development of the UCI YouTube Propaganda Network. It’s an outstanding way for the organization to disseminate the message directly to the masses. If you say something over and over again, not only will you start to believe it, but the ballyhoo may actually cause the general public and the media to begin to believe as well. It looks like I may have to pull strings at The Guardian, SkyNews, Velonation, Cycling Weekly, and Cyclingnews, though and put some better puppets in place to properly pass on my platitudes without inserting some fooking subjective knife twists pointing out how many holes my propaganda truly has. I’m picking up the phone, you hacks. Be forewarned. *chuckle*

Unfortunately, I’m about to take a stance that may anger some of these folks, and some of the crusaders that expend great energy and talent to write what they do.

This week, I was reminded by an oaf based out of Bristol, Connecticut, that the cycling galaxy is a small piece of a greater universe. In fact, it might be considered Earth-sized in comparison to the general universe of sport. I think many have already covered the ground more than adequately on this issue, and have done so more eloquently than I probably could. While I’m at it, kudos to @neilroad, @UCI_Overlord, @cycletard, and @Velocentric for their involvment in highlighting this issue, and @bikezilla1 for doing what he does, right Tommy boy? (Note: thank you to @Ciclirati and @TdFLanterne for their amazing work on this – join our team!)

I was reminded this week that somewhere along the way, we as a society have lost the ability to have a difference of opinion while maintaining mutal respect. Call it the O’Reilly factor, or the shock radio factor, but we have developed this ability to judge, and to then peddle this influence to the greater society in general as FACT. This is wrong.

After observing twitter, the forums, and the Tour de France chat rooms, I had this nagging opinion that we in the cycling community have become no better than Michael Smith of ESPN when it comes to doping in our sport. I watched my ticker as person after person began to attack a variety of professional cyclists with innuendo upon innuendo. Even the hero Hoogerland couldn’t escape criticism as many pointed to his lack of popularity in the peloton, and to his former nickname.

Guess what, folks? Performance-enhancing drugs and the mercenary nature of professional sport is synonymous. Every sport has some sort of issue in this respect – Football and steriods; Hockey and sudafed; we know baseball’s issues; and soccer, too, has its myriad of doping challenges that run similar to cycling.

I am a football fan. I’ve seen pretty much every football movie out there, but the three that stick in my mind the most are (in no particular order): On Any Given Sunday, The Last Boy Scout, and Varsity Blues. All three play a part in my perception of drugs in sport.

Varsity Blues documents the win-at-all costs attitude that is reflected in our society. Coaches drug up players for the championship, for the win, not for the players’ benefit, but to feed the ego of the coach –his bronze-statued reputational folklore. The hero of the movie implores the star running back not to shoot up his knee – take the hard stand and sit out the second half.

The other two films talk about the seedy/dark side of football. The thing about all three of these films is that this art does, in fact imitate life.

Discussed in one online forum today was the fact that “athletes” have been doping since the beginning of time. One forum participant went so far as to say that Greek athletes ate sheep’s balls to enhance their performance. And another individual in that forum also asked what was the difference between the cokehead advertising executive who wanted the million dollar account from the athlete who wants the extra edge to keep his place in the professional peloton?

Nothing.

Many conversations with those who write within these internet pages have led me to the conclusion that we are prosecuting the wrong individuals in cycling when it comes to doping issues. EPO doesn’t mean that all of a sudden a couch potato can rise up and win the Tour. No, most of the professional athletes are the victims of an abusive relationship with a team owner/coach/business manager or other such potential leeches. They will still have the unbelievable performances, but maybe at a slightly slower speed.

Today’s stage should have demonstrated to many that there is a change in the peloton; the performances are becoming less super-human, and more fragile. Kreuziger didn’t ride off to a stage win, nor did Gilbert gap the lead pack. Neither did Basso decimate the field, but he did a pretty good job with Smzyd to thin out the herd. Just because a BMC soigneur was busted leading up to the Tour doesn’t mean that the BMC team, including Cadel, is dirty.

In fact, it could mean that someone paid off the soigneur to get busted to mess with Evans, knowing that he was the favorite. Yeah, that’s a bit ridiculous, but no more ridiculous than some of the theories that were flying around the twitter universe earlier today.

Folks, doping will be a part of society at large until we decide individually and collectively to rely on our own abilities rather than on stimulants and assistance to make performances “easier.” Maybe it is best to push aside that nagging doubt and enjoy the amazing win of Sanchez today, and the fact that Voeckler hung onto the lead on Bastille Day. However, I firmly believe that this will not occur until society at large gives up cigarettes. Yeah right.

After all, we are just as much to blame for athletes doping as Jon Voigt in Varsity Blues – our collective adulation allows those bottom feeders the ability to take advantage of our star people, and contributes to the callous attitude that we have towards our fellow human beings.

So my advice? Quit judging until you have a reason to judge. In the meantime, enjoy the spectacle that is the greatest event of the greatest sport on our planet.

What makes this Tour special is the of course the fact that many GC contenders are out of the race or far behind already, with Wiggin’s crash yesterday fresh in mind.

Bradley Wiggins of Britain holds his left shoulder after crashing during Stage 7 of the Tour de France Friday July 8, 2011 (AP photo)

Safety – whose responsibility 

Also hard to watch was RadioShack’s Chris Horner, obviously suffering from a concussion after a fall, being very disoriented coming across the finish line in Châteauroux. Horner fell in the same crash as Wiggins, which means he rode 38km in that state. The RS member who greated Horner when he crossed the finish line, said to Horner he crashed 25km from the finish, but varying reports say otherwise. Of course, riders safety is the number one priority and any rider in the state Horner was in yesterday is a danger both to himself and other riders. Many have argued on twitter that the UCI is more concerned with seat tilt angles than rider safety. Determining whether a rider has a concussion can be hard from a distance through a radio. Perhaps is it necessary to apply a rule that says that if riders hit the deck, a DS and a race doc should physically check up on the rider, making sure he is ok. What some believe is strange, is that Horner received treatment by the race doc after the crash, reports say that the doctor wrote that Horner had a concussion and still left him on his bike. In addition to this, Johan Bruyneel had his team doctor driving next to Horner the last 38km. Bruyneel says he won’t be critisized over his decision to let Horner finish.

Chris Horner lost over 12 minutes on the GC after his Stage 7 crash (Sirotti photo)

The number of UCI commissaires is not that high to be everywhere, but this is a matter that should be number one priority. Ultimately, a rider’s safety is divided between himself and his leader, when the rider himself is not able to make that call, the team leader needs to step up and take responsibility. Geraint Thomas, one of Team Sky’s young stars, wrote yesterday that riders safety must be the rider’s responsibility.

Tactically manoeuvring

A rider and a team riding for GC who really have impressed me the first week is Cadel Evans and BMC. The team is always to be seen near the front when the terrain is difficult, or in the last important part of the race. Very tactically ridden and a nice way to keep him out of potentially dangerous episodes. Now, one could argue that this is one of the reasons crashes happens in the first place, the constant hunt for positions.

Next stage, be sure to watch out for Cadel Evans and BMC, I guarantee you, they are at the front at the right time.