andydude

Yes, I think that's it, not everybody benefits equally. And what jcza said above.

This is perhaps a good time in explaining why people that say doping levels the playing field are wrong. What the guys do that's below 50 is that they take epo to push it to high 40s/close to 50, the UCI limit. I think Lance's natural level was in the low 40s, thus he could improve quite a lot. Other guys' natural level is closer to 50 and can't increase it anymore. That's my simple understanding, so please help/explain more if you can.

Twitter is much more entertaining than this thread. Or are we really not that bad a bunch

I'm scared to offer an opinion now... but in anycase, some interesting reading http://www.spankingfit.com/world-wide-pandemic-caused-gene-doping/ and of course, take it where it comes from! " The source of the current world wide health crisis has finally been identified: genetic doping activities in professional sports! Contagious virus vectors, developed to insert high performance genes into players’ genomes, are causing the current cancerous pandemic. News headlines such as these certainly are frightening. Luckily, up to now, they are fictional only. Nevertheless, they may actually portend a future health crisis, if gene doping practices continue as such in professional sports. In this piece, Spanking FIT examines the potential for such a crisis to occur; but, first, we quickly review the findings of our prior investigation of traditional doping with focus on the Lance Armstrong affair.".....

Not sure where that number comes from? But if you are saying SA has only R23 million for cycling in SA then it is NOTHING. Go look at other countries and their programs to see what it takes. Or just look at rugby and cricket and lesser so, soccer. It's sad, but we can't really expect anything with that amount. Yet we do relatively well, I think.

I'm sure we have the same level of athletes especially if you take into account SA's facilities and talent identification (read lack of). I don't think the Europeans are born with special powers. Imagine how great SA can develope sports and athletes if we had the same budgets as other countries!

Can somebody please explain why people are bitching at SAIDS because they took KE's "constitutional right to medical care away"? I mean, if you are sick, then quit or retire or don't race?

Common guys Why are there so many negative/sarcastic comments? I think it's great news when new sponsors get on board!

I wonder if it was Suzie who visited both Cavendish and Renshaw..

Not quite? Were the teams split equal strength or strong and less stronger?

Wasn't that the issue that his WC achievement fell just outside of the window, but it's good for this year's award? Apologies if that is what you're saying!

Why does it seem like that? Something you saw or a wild guess?

Thanks Dale!

It's weird how mostly the boks tend to fall in with the opposition. When they play "lesser" sides they tend to scrape through. But the boks can (not necessarily will) beat the all blacks on any given day. Like against the pumas, the boks should've beaten the aussies, but close in the end. We rarely demolish "lesser" sides like the other teams do.

What are your and everybody's thoughts about the letter? And wider, about CRC's business model?

Did you even read his post? I think what he means is that if you're behind him, you are already many many minutes behind the leader. Thus half a second won't matter. I agree with what Eldron said. And having said that, if I can safely move out on a single track I will try to for the faster guy behind me.

Isn't the reason for the no threshold that those substances are not "natural" and there is no reason for it to be in your system. The only reason it might be in you is 1 accident/contamination 2 on purpose/masking/cocktail. For "natural", e.g. hemocrit the threshold might be 50. Edit: I see jcza answered my question.

Good to know. Enjoy riding your bikes!

Is it Eddy that Tinkoff Saxo wanted to sign, but then it fell through? Oleg had quite a few things to say about it and him.

Why was it deleted if I may ask? Edit: read the reasons now. Still doesn't make sense, but I'll leave it there. My favourite super foods - liver, avocado and honey.

Interesting article in the Guardian http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2012/apr/18/how-much-water-drink-marathon regarding how much water is required in a marathon. And no, not Noakea, but other people including Tucker.

Are you saying you drink 1.5l every hour? Wasn't there studies showing your body can only take up something like between 0.5 - 1l per hour and everything more pools in the gut and can actually cause problems (waterlogged)?

Next time I find myself behind a group of cyclists riding abreast, I will take a deep breath, relax, slow down and wait for a safe time to pass. I will remember that they are doing something positive, mentally and physically. I will do all this, because what I want should start with me.