Cycling is having a torrid time.
Firstly, there was CAS’ decision to ban Alberto Contador for 2 years for doping. Minute traces (50 picograms) of the drug clenbuterol were found in his blood during the 2010 Tour de France, and it has taken until now for a guilty verdict to be passed down. For those who don’t know, clenbuterol is a β2 agonist, and is used mainly to increase aerobic capacity. In some countries it is used (legally) as a treatment for asthma sufferers, and (illegally) in livestock to achieve leaner meat. In September of 2011, Contador announced his positive test from July 2010 and made claims that positive was down to contaminated steak. In January 2011, the Spanish Cycling Federation (RFEC) recommended a 1 year ban for Contador. In February 2011, the Spanish Prime Minster to voices his support for the rider, and subsequently the Spanish Cycling Federation clears him. In March 2011, The UCI and WADA then appeal this decision to CAS. Nearly a year later in February 2012, CAS finally bans Contador for 2 years.
Then of course, there’s the long, drawn out investigation by the US DOJ into whether or not Lance Armstrong defrauded the US Government. The investigation started in May 2010 after disgraced Former US Postal teammate Floyd Landis came out and accused Armstrong and US Postal of systematic doping. Armstrong’s reputation was then further tainted when another former disgraced US Postal teammate Tyler Hamilton appeared on ABC’s 60 Minutes accusing Armstrong of doping. Nearly a year later, the US DOJ have announced Armstrong will not be charged, but not after details of the probe were leaked to the press. Unfortunately for Armstrong, this only signifies that he will not be charged with defrauding the US Goverment (the US Postal Service is a Government run interest), and both the USADA and WADA are continuing their investigation into Armstrong. Guilty or not, this ongoing investigation into the sport’s premier figure is not a good advert for the sport, and has already permanently damaged his reputation.
As if Contador and Armstrong wasn’t enough, CAS also announced that the 1997 Tour de France winner Jan Ullrich had been found guilty of a doping offence and was retroactively banned from August 22nd 2011, and all his results since May 2005 would be removed. As far back as 2006, Ulrich had been linked with the Operación Puerto doping case, a case that investigated a doping ring at which sports doctor Eufemiano Fuentes was at the center of. Based on information uncovered in Operación Puerto, it was claimed that Ullrich purchased about €35,000 worth of doping products a year, and his DNA was matched with 9 bags of blood taken from Eufemiano Fuentes’ office. These blood bags were marked with the names “Jan”, “number 1″ or “Hijo Rudicio” (Son of Rudy – Rudy Pevenage was Ullrich’s manager).
It’s a shame that the sport that I love so dearly has been once again dragged through the mud. It’s a shame that it seems cycling cannot make the headlines without it being about doping. And it’s a shame that 3 of the biggest names in cycling are once again at the heart of the news.
I sometimes wonder if they’re all at it. I wonder if doping products are just considered as the tools of the trade, and that doping treated in the same way a pro cyclist treats the rest of their nutrition and equipment. I wonder if doping has become such an automated and integrated process within cycling that it is normal to inject oneself with EPO, train, and then transfuse clean blood back in, in just the same way I would mix a carbohydrate drink for before a training session and a protein shake for after. I wonder if neo pros are forced into this doping culture or risk expulsion, whilst at the same time signing contracts that would see them lose their jobs if they are ever caught. Of course, based on the low level of positive tests, it makes me wonder how high it goes in the sport. In order to cover up the evidence, what lengths do riders, trainers and team management go to? How many back handers and pay offs exist? And then I start to wonder how many amateurs do it – and at what level do people start doping? Have I ever raced against someone who uses a simple performance enhancing drug, such as Ephedrine or steroids?
Of course, I firmly believe that’s not the case, and I sincerely hope that it isn’t misplaced loyalty and naivety that makes me believe it’s not the case. Armstrong certainly comes from an era of cycling were doping was rife. Does that mean he doped? Maybe. But if he did, he clearly wasn’t the only one, and if the people who finished 2nd, 3rd, 4th to him were also doping, it still means Armstrong was the best. Do I believe Contador doped? Yes. Wholeheartedly. Perhaps it’s just a cynical side of me, but watching the way he dropped everyone in Verbier in 2009 my heart sank. Perhaps partly because it signalled the end of Armstrong’s attempt at an 8th Tour de France victory, but because Contador’s ability seemed unnatural. No one, not even Andy Schleck, could live with Berty. As for the eternal no 2 Jan Ullrich, we have seen it coming since 2006. It wasn’t pleased or excited when Contador and Ullrich were found guilty. I was sad. Sad for them, sad for the sport, and sad for everyone who follows the sport.
However, I continue to have faith in my sport. It’s a sport that has so far been kind to me. It has given me passion, health, fitness, friends, and love. I look forward to watching the gladiators of the sport battle it out in the classics and the Giro and can barely contain my excitement as July comes around. It is a truly magical, beautiful and enchanting sport, a sport like no other.
Here’s to the gladiators. Here’s to the heros. Here’s to every clean professional who climbs onto a bicycle every day. The sport needs you.
