gtr1

First Wiggins was an elite pro at a whole different level of training support etc. just his chain cost more than most people's bikes to save done watts. Gert races vets in SA. Wiggins also did his record on an indoor wooden track with a controlled atmosphere. Way faster than Hector Norris. Don't forget that Gert is actually World Champ for individual pursuit in his age group. This is an amazing effort, and I would challenge anyone to go and try better it.

Hector Norris is still probably the fastest track in the country. As old and as bumpy as it is. Plenty of records standing that were set there. And some only broken by riders racing on indoor tracks at world champs etc.

Funrider today, elite pro tomorrow ???

The biological Passport was regarded as a massive breakthrough in anti -doping efforts. And cycling was the first to implement it. Has been used many times successfully. Max had the chance in his hearing and before to get all the necessary evidence but did nothing. Now he wants to contest it. Yes he never tested positive, but hey, neither did Lance. The reason behind the passport is to test anomalies where athletes micro dose etc. and some of the doping products don't have a test for the product. Maybe their expert that disagrees with the system is Dr Ferrari ???

I have always said, only way to stop doping is to allow retroactive testing of samples, and to make it a criminal offence to be caught. That way you can dodge a test today, but not in the future once a test is developed or improved, and a criminal record effects you for the rest of your life. They should even get jail time for extreme cases. And then any money recovered must go towards anti-doping efforts.

The issue is not about prize money. It's the glory that was denied as well as the achievement. Will never know what the other athletes missed out on by being denied the win or podium. And nothing can change that years later.

At the time of DG's incident, the minimum mandatory sentence was 2 years, unless there were mitigating circumstances or you provided info that could assist the anti-doping efforts. This was later changed to 4 years. So hence KE getting 4 years. And because he did not contest it or try give mitigating circumstances he got the standard.

All true, and some valid points, but the issue is that they are not doing this. So the only way to effect the change is to change the management. A bit like government. We can complain as much as we want but only by voting out the party and voting in a new one, can things really change. So if the current management is not doing a good enough job, interested parties should be getting involved to change. A bit like bitching about the ANC, but at the same time saying I don't vote as it's not going to change anything. Then you can't bitch about it. You have to accept what you get.

So lots of bitching and moaning about CSA, but my question is, who is doing anything to try and change it. Bitching here is not going to change anything. How many of you belong to a cycling club, and are part of the 'management' of said club ? And as a result, how many then attend their regional association meetings to have a say, as you are allowed as a registered club. And maybe even get elected or volunteer to be part of the 'management' And so on up to provincial level and even SA level at CSA. I can answer that, almost nobody. So if you want to effect change become part of the solution, and then implement all these great ideas and be involved in running the sport. Or at the least, be involved in electing the right members to be involved in the running of the sport.

K2C don't want to be sanctioned, because then they can allow Kevin Evans to ride.

He may have finished 2nd but he did not enter that event. If he had entered elites, even as a vet, he would have qualified. But yes, category racing may be a good idea. Regardless of age. As for the previous reference to mtb'ing, if you were seeded B and then started with A, you would also be DQ'ed. Also interesting you mention the local PPA league, seeing this is a CSA thread, and CSA being slated and some comments about PPA being so much better. But here they apply similar rules.

Being a UCI event the event would be sanctioned and as such they would have provided commissaires etc. I think the event was organized by the Cape Epic 'owners/organizers'

I may be wrong, but I think a lot of CSA funding problems stem from the MTB World Cup event in KZN a few years back. Some sponsors bailed, or didn't live up to commitment, and in the end CSA had to foot the bill to host the event of a good few million.

This does seem strange and may be a local decision taken by the event. Also may have to do with which event he entered. I have had some in some small races. Entered 1 cat, but decided on line to race another for a better harder ride due to numbers. Was told on the line that I would not qualify for prizes. Mtb'ing different in that you don't start in age categories. All together and batched based on seeding. As a vet, you are allowed to race 'down' in a category. But not up. So can enter and race elites instead of age category. Nolan Hoffman and others a good example. Qualifies as a vet 30 but races elite. I do think there is a UCI rule though, that if you have raced in a lower age category during the year, then you are not allowed to compete at worlds in your age. But that may have changed.

The issue isn't about hating or not hating KE. The issue is that he is still serving a ban, but yet is granted the privilege or competing in cycling events. So the message is, if you are well known, it is ok to dope because we'll invite and allow you to ride in some races, because you know, you have a cool bike shop and well, your ban is almost over. Only another 6 months.

Just go look at the World Champs thread and see how many love the fact that Valverde won.

There are probably more people that think Lance is a hero than those that don't . You want a polarised debate, debate Lance. Same with Contador, Yates, Ullrich. The French still love Virenque, and he is part of the Tour team. Probably one of the biggest dopers. yet people hate Rasmussen ??? If I had to do some research I would probably find a list way too long of those that have doped that are still held in high esteem.

John, nice reply. I race in a vets category, and also raced in junior and elite category years ago (before it was classified as elite) I have never doped, and I have raced against guys that have. So I have seen first hand the difference it can make. And believe me it can be huge. From being pulled 1 day to winning the next :-( All I can say is I am still able to win in a vets category, and often hold my own in younger categories. So this makes me think that there is not that much doping going on ( can't say all the time) as everyone seems to believe. Otherwise I am just phenomenal, which I am not. I probably train harder, and smarter, now than when I was junior/elite. And as you say, years in the legs, and experience mean a lot more than fitness at times.

May have been Joop Zoetemelk, and he was older than Valverde

I don't really have an issue with Valverde winning. It was a great and exciting race. And he rode it perfectly. He doped, paid the price, came back. I'd like to think that current doping controls means he can't still be doping, so too most the peleton. (I believe in fairy tales) My only issue is how people can crucify 1 rider as an ex-doper and others are regarded as heroes. Should all be equal. I suppose at the end of the day, it's who we like and who we don't.

Valverde

'Former' doper..................

The BSSS was a series. I think 4 or 5 races over the last few months. Last was a week ago. I think riders are scared of crits because they are hard racing on the limit. I remember guys rather doing a training ride last year than racing Helivac races.

480 riders in 1 category on a 4 k circuit ??? Scary!!

Not many I hear