I know this is a long post -but please stick with me.
There are some important links at the bottom!
Josh has been a cycling fan for years; he even competed for a while when he was younger. But since being married I have surprised myself with an avid interest in cycling as well. The Tour de France is a huge event in our house every July, and we even follow the smaller races as well.
Many of you may be aware of all the controversy over doping in cycling; it seems like there's not a sport around that hasn't been marred by the use of steroids. To give you a little more history, the Tour de France has been dealt some big blows over the past few years. In 2006 to the shock and amazement of race watchers some of the Tour's top riders were pulled out of the race before the start because of associations with a 'doping' doctor. In 2007 doping controls were at a new height and teams were rigorously being checked; however, one team in particular -Astana- flew under the radar. Their top contender tested positive along with some other members of the Astana team. The entire team was removed from the race the following day.
Okay... fast forward to today. One of the race's leading team managers, Johan Bruyneel (formerly of team Discovery fame), has lead men like Lance Armstrong and Levi Leipheimer to victory over the past several years. Since Discovery is no longer a team sponsor, Bruyneel decided to revamp team Astana. He "cleaned house" as teammate Levi Leipheimer stated, bringing on many new riders including Leipheimer, thrid place winner of the 2007 Tour de France, and defending 1st place champion Alberto Contador. Bruyneel also implemented some of the Tour's toughest anti-doping controls on the new Astana team. The new 2008 Astana has been completely remade - from manager to riders.
That's why it's disturbing that the ASO (the organization that owns the Tour de France and several other major races) recently announced the ban of the new 2008 Astana team from the race based solely on last year's controversy. Riders Leipheimer and Contador cannot defend their titles. Bruyneel is leading the way in anti-doping initiatives, but the ASO is banning him based on a past team's behavior of which he had nothing to do with. It is an extreme and discriminatory action by the ASO.
Petitions are being sent to the ASO on behalf of Leipheimer and Contador. Please consider signing them by visiting the links below:
(Hit the English tab at the top of Contador's page.)
Levi even gives you directions on how to write an e-mail to the president of the ASO -
should you feel inclined.
1 comment:
OK - I was heard!
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