Alot less dope

[Too Tall]

At TDF this much is plain to see. Yesterday was spectacular how uniform suffering was shared among top 10 riders in the world. Noone was leaps and bounds better NOBODY. This came down to guts, glory and what chromosones your parents gave yah. I'll take it.

[Chance Legstrong]

At TDF this much is plain to see. Yesterday was spectacular how uniform suffering was shared among top 10 riders in the world. Noone was leaps and bounds better NOBODY. This came down to guts, glory and what chromosones your parents gave yah. I'll take it.

Uh, GH was using Podium. That is why he is on so many.

[Too Tall]

:cheers: funny stuff ;)

[Ray]

At TDF this much is plain to see. Yesterday was spectacular how uniform suffering was shared among top 10 riders in the world. Noone was leaps and bounds better NOBODY. This came down to guts, glory and what chromosones your parents gave yah. I'll take it.

I was wondering about this. I gotta figure that IF Vaughter's team is serious about this no doping stuff, it must mean the Tour in general is a lot cleaner this year. How else would Vandevelde, who's been a fine domestique but never an elite climber, and on a team that was notorious for doping, now be able to ride with the front group in the toughest mountains and still have enough left to try to attack in the last several hundred meters. I think its encouraging too. But I gotta wonder about Ricco - he's the only guy who looks like he's not even trying.

-Ray

[gt6267a]

But I gotta wonder about Ricco - he's the only guy who looks like he's not even trying.

-Ray

Watching Sunday's attack, I thought to myself wow those guys are really resting up for tmr or that guy is running nitrous.

[Mr.President]

I was wondering about this. I gotta figure that IF Vaughter's team is serious about this no doping stuff, it must mean the Tour in general is a lot cleaner this year. How else would Vandevelde, who's been a fine domestique but never an elite climber, and on a team that was notorious for doping, now be able to ride with the front group in the toughest mountains and still have enough left to try to attack in the last several hundred meters. I think its encouraging too. But I gotta wonder about Ricco - he's the only guy who looks like he's not even trying.

-Ray

I can see that, but VDV always had to bust ass for others, now he is being lead around, like Lance et all.

Maybe Riis didn't think he had as much talent as Basso, Hamilton, etc. so he was never given the attention. Now VDV has room to grow as a leader and is doing it. Gotta root for the cat though. Matty White in the car was a lot easier on the ears then JV. At least he knew how to pump up VDV. Plus when VDV is interviewed he has to be the happiest surprised cat in the entire tour. It is contagious listening to him begin to really believe in himself. atmo.

[ThasFACE]

Plus when VDV is interviewed he has to be the happiest surprised cat in the entire tour. It is contagious listening to him begin to really believe in himself. atmo.

He definitely seems amped. I'm pulling for him. Especially after yesterday. Awesome stage.

[climb01742]

i'd guess it's been years since there's a better chance that the top 3 GC guys were clean. nice.

[GONE4ARIDE]

I agree that in general the Tour seems a hell of a lot 'cleaner' this year....but then again I can't help but wonder if Ricco is on the juice. I also wonder about Jens V. leading such an elite group up and over Hautacam and part way up the Tourmalet when climbers such as Valverde and Cunego were going out the back.

[shanerpvt]

i'm no expert, but the way ricco tts would suggest he's not on the juice. just seems like a little dude with a larger than normal sack for his size.

could be wrong,

shaner

[Ray]

i'm no expert, but the way ricco tts would suggest he's not on the juice. just seems like a little dude with a larger than normal sack for his size.

could be wrong,

shaner

I hope you're right. I guess watching a lot of racing mostly since about '96 has made me cynical. Everyone who could seemingly fly during that time (and many who couldn't) have been brought back to earth by doping convictions or at least pretty convincing allegations. I'd love to think someone could ride like that clean. I just need to be convinced at this point. They don't get the benefit of the doubt right now - I hope they get it back over the next few years.

The bottom line is that doping seemed to make cycling a more exciting spectator sport for those who weren't into the details of watching the strategy unfold. Something about watching Lance or Basso or Contador or Pantani taking a flyer on a mountain that's pretty thrilling in a more obvious way than watching Cadel, Menchov, and VdV scratch each other's eyes out isn't. I prefer the latter on the assumption that its cleaner, but I can't deny the appeal of the former. That's why Ricco's been so much fun to watch this year. Whether he's clean or not.

-Ray

[Thugly]

VDV has dropped a serious amount of weight since his days as a watercarrier. Goes a long way toward explaining his improved performance in the mountains, imo.

[agilismerlin]

first week and 2 epo positives

more will come..........

luv this race

[BarryG]

FWIW, it's been widely reported that Ricco has a naturally high hematocrit (~51) and has the health documentation to be granted an exemption.