Thread: LA

...I'll kick it off. I think we need to distinguish between what LA did on the bike (and off it in the team bus ) and what he has done for cancer research. Seems this is the take of his former sponsors, too. These sponsors have stuck with the Livestrong foundation on the proviso that LA resigns from the board and relinquish any control over the body. He has done so.

Although from a little I've read over the last few weeks it can be asked what has Livestrong done too other than help raise awareness ?

It doesn't appear a lot of funds have actually been funnelled into research ?

That's a good point, Rick. I really hadn't considered if the Livestrong foundation actually represent an efficient use of research dollars....anyone else have an opinion or info on that?

I just hope that people dont forget the good things he has done.
Yes he has made a big stuff up but has done heaps of good things as well i dont like drugs or have the time for people on them..
LA time to pay for your mistakes and do it like a man.............

I also forgot to add that Livestrong has been a convenient foil for LA too.

Call me a cynic if you will, but an organisation like that can help deflect a lot.....

I did love watching the tours he raced, the imperial tactics of the USPS team and the way he demolished the opposition was amazing, although I was usually cheering the opposition like Jan Ullrich, et all (although I never really cared for il Pirata/Marco Pantani too much, but loved the way he climbed) and yes, they were all on the juice too......

Originally Posted by boofdtl

I just hope that people dont forget the good things he has done.
Yes he has made a big stuff up but has done heaps of good things as well i dont like drugs or have the time for people on them..
LA time to pay for your mistakes and do it like a man.............

Yeah, that's what I was getting at too in my 2nd reply above. Even if it's only that he has encouraged many to get on a bike and take up cycling, that is a huge positive.

wow
for a man who never failed a drug test

i have zero faith in the cycling community now


im not saying he's innocent. im just not seeing any real evidence against him
i see 1 failed drug test over how many years. and that drug test doesnt positively identify anything, or done to correct proceedure. i see a lot of statements that finger point to each other. "i got caught, cant have my medal so i'll try and take other down too. if i cant have it, noone can. i cant prove they were cheating but just trust me, i know they were".

if this was in a criminal court, would it stand up? i dont think so

i'll be the first to admit i have little interest in cycling. its the allegations and process i find interesting.

i feel like they keep throwing it accusations about until they find something that sticks. hence why i called it a witch hunt.

they investigated, didnt find anything, but lets keep investigating, lets keep pushing and manipulating until we can make the evidence fit.

Originally Posted by Eevo

wow
for a man who never failed a drug test

i have zero faith in the cycling community now


im not saying he's innocent. im just not seeing any real evidence against him
i see 1 failed drug test over how many years. and that drug test doesnt positively identify anything, or done to correct procedure. i see a lot of statements that finger point to each other. "i got caught, cant have my medal so i'll try and take other down too. if i cant have it, noone can. i cant prove they were cheating but just trust me, i know they were".

if this was in a criminal court, would it stand up? i dont think so

i'll be the first to admit i have little interest in cycling. its the allegations and process i find interesting.

i feel like they keep throwing it accusations about until they find something that sticks. hence why i called it a witch hunt.

they investigated, didnt find anything, but lets keep investigating, lets keep pushing and manipulating until we can make the evidence fit.

Never failing a drug test and not being guilty of taking drugs in another thing. As is the very question of "never failing a drug test'. Perhaps you should read, at least, a condensed version of the allegations, especially as you admit to not having seen any real evidence against him. Do you seriously believe USADA and the UCI would strip an athlete of 7 Tours and all results over the best part of a decade without unequivocal evidence?. LA did fail a drug test for cortisone, and has also been shown by genuine scientific lab results to have tested positive to EPO. The document covering the allegations explain how he avoided being busted in both cases. And it is underhand. The doctor who backdated prescriptions in this case has been prosecuted. It also details how LA's team managed to circumvent testing regimes for years. For those who have been closely associated with cycling, these revelations are somewhat less surprising.

As for standing up in a court of law - I think you will find this question proven one way or the other in the very near future. All the legal advice tends to suggest he'll go down when it does. Sponsors, race organisers - even the US government are very likely to line up to prosecute LA. Stay tuned.