Rasmussen!
I honestly think that the Tour is over and that Rasmussen is going to wear the yellow jersey in Paris. However, the end of the race will be tough for him. People along the road today were whistling at him and telling him things I won’t translate here. It is really like no one wants to see him win anymore with all these drug-taking problems.
The atmosphere is more than tense, it is really bad. Everybody is tired of all these problems and they all pretty much want to be at the end already. It’s really sad for cycling but we only get what we deserve as we hear around here.
So, today’s stage wasn’t amazing at all. I was expecting a strong stage from the Discovery team to boost Contador but it never happened. Contador wasn’t as fine as he was two days ago. And I guess also that all these talks and issues are disturbing the athletes anyway. I guess this is why the race was a bit disappointing today.
Today another rider got controlled positive for testosterone--Moreni from the Cofidis team. Testosterone...when you think about it, how can we still try to use these products? I don’t know what the riders were thinking about before this Tour. If they did think...
So, the only thing we can tell about today is that the Tour is over and the jerseys are pretty much settled. Boonen will get the green and Rasmussen the yellow.
I was really excited at the beginning of this Tour as I thought that teams, staff, riders and event organizers understood that this Tour was the right one to get the cycling back on the right track. I’m sad to note that it is definitely not the case.
I hope you are still enjoying the show anyway. Feel free to ask me any question. I will be glad to answer you.
Ronan
Ronan Pensec participated in 8 Tours, and wore the yellow jersey in the 1990. He now operates Ronan Pensec Events, an official Tour de France operator hosting VIP cycling tours for recreational cycling enthusiasts.
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Mark
I enjoy your blog very much. I, like alot of prople, find myself saddened by this latest doping problem. I am probably too naive to think that the answer is simple; STOP DOPING.
Keep up with the great posts from the Tour. Thanks!
kathi
It seems to me that with the world's addiction rate of over 10% and people who excel in life often being ADHD, that the possibilitiy of this smal group of elite riders may have serious mental health problems that we are ignoring. And more importantly, telling them they are bad people, cheaters, and we are not giving them the mental health help they need.
The ability to perform at the top is the rare athlete, and yet, we somehow believe that everyone can do it and more importantly, judge our worthiness by it. Our society has continued to ignore mental health issues and the notion of addiction. You can bet that when someone with an addiction problem wins using drugs, they will do it again. And simply having stringent rules to follow will be impossible for the addicted. For the athlete without an addiction problem, they will stop because they can control this behavior.
Why are we continuing to ridicule people instead of helping them? I have always had great admiration for the commentators but when those who are addicted are called cheaters and ridiculed for a mental/physical illness, I am disappointed. Everyone loves Sally Field who came out years ago helping to further mental illness when she disclosed she had bipolar or manic depression. For years, medicine thought that schizophrenia was caused by controlling mothers. And there are still many professionals who believe someone who is depressed should simply be able to "get over it". We know there are physiological reasons for these problems, just as in diabetes, and heart disease. Please, lets help these talented athletes get back on their feet with their own power through the use of the many ways to get help for addiciton problems, a definate physiological problem.
Blessings to all of you who understand addiction and prayers to you who don't.
norm
I appreciate your commentary. I is so sad to feel that not only is the use of PEDs & blood out there, but that so many of the peloton probably have felt they had little choice. I am glad that is changing. Obviously many people are complicit with the blood transfusions--the blood had to come from somewhere, had to be (I hope!) properly tested and stored and although the actual administration is fairly easy, it is full of risks, from mild allergic reactions to full on shock & death. That Vino went this course is very very disheartening, since he did show so many admirable qualities. Now I wonder, is intravenous rehydration (with a plain dextrose or saline solution) permissible and used post race, as it is for marathon runners?
Your idea of team training is a good one, although might not be easily done (note how Chris Horner often mentions his reluctance to spend any more time away from his family). I wonder, though, if there can't be an absolute ban on any outside-the-team or outside the UCI "medical" advisement.
Very cliche but......
You're a winner in my book!
I just wanted to let you know that you're strength and perseverance is respected and I wish you health and happiness. Enjoy the Tour....remember you're an elite athlete and these moments may not come again. Cherish the scenery and the ride. Life is good for you. Congratulations.
(If you have a moment, check out the "Zarifian Method" on line - an athlete frind of mine, also an elite athlete).