The news today is the Beltrán tested positive for EPO (news) in a test after the first stage.
2 or 3 years ago this would have been big news, but I am not sure if it is today. He is one of those riders from that period that I think we assumed most were doing some sort of doping. At this point I think it goes into the no big surprise category and there goes another one. The house cleaning that has gone on the past 2 years I thought was going to damage pro cycling more then help it, but now I have changed my mind.
There has been a difference in racing this year other then the French riders doing better then in the past decade. The stars are still winning races, but it is from more aggressive racing and when one team tries to control a stage race they have failed. We are not seeing one team ride at the front for several days in the row with a pace so high that nobody can attack.
shame about the doping
so good so far...
this tour is shaping up nicely.
glad i found your blog.
i'll be back...
care to link?
Posted by: rob ijbema | July 11, 2008 at 04:20 PM