Rabobank withdraws all cycling sponsorship

[jcza]

I don't know how clean MTB'ing is. Ben-Melt Swanepoel lost a race to a known doper recently in the USA. I'll try find the link.

[Schwynn]

I did not read all the posts but what do these cyclists think? I am sure no business wants to be associated with a bunch of dopers!!

 

So they only have themselves to thank for sponsorship being withdrawn. As far as business is concerned it is still going on, pity is, it is now ruined for the new generation who might not be a bunch of dopers and are going to struggle without sponsorship.

 

Sad,sad day for cycling in general....

[jcza]

Here you go - Banned doper wins MTB race http://thegoat.backcountry.com/2012/07/19/banned-doper-wins-top-colorado-bike-race/

[jcza]

You all know who David Millar is

 

David Millar‏@millarmind

Dear Rabobank, you were part of the problem. How dare you walk away from your young clean guys who are part of the solution. Sickening.

[canfan]

This really sucks. End to the damage in pro cycling is far from over.

[LeTurbo]

Here you go - Banned doper wins MTB race http://thegoat.backc...rado-bike-race/

 

My theory is that the MTBers have perfected the art of hiding their doping histories, and passed their secrets on to the roadies. Maybe through a third force.

[HappyMartin]

It's an odd one for me. We are talking about events that occurred about 9 years ago. Less doping now and we can see by the 14% drop in the power files and finally clean riders like Evans winning that things are changing.

 

I agree that MTB seems a lot cleaner but I would not be brave enough to say it is totally clean. What helps MTB racing is the schedule is not as punishing as what road riders are subjected to.

[jcza]

RobertGesink: "I think I'm the first of a new generation. It's very sad that everything we started suffers from things happening in the past

[Kranswurm]

It's an odd one for me. We are talking about events that occurred about 9 years ago. Less doping now and we can see by the 14% drop in the power files and finally clean riders like Evans winning that things are changing.

 

I agree that MTB seems a lot cleaner but I would not be brave enough to say it is totally clean. What helps MTB racing is the schedule is not as punishing as what road riders are subjected to.

 

MTBing is a young sport and doping is not entrenched in the very fabric of the sport as in road cycling.

They have been doping since god invented bullets.The guys used to ride on speed

[GoLefty!!]

Thats why I think USADA wants to make more of a statement, old saying tallest trees catch the most wind, Lance is well know, they have a chance to show their might, against the biggest name in cycling ever, allot of the other big names does not fall under USADA.

 

and Well if the UCI does not support their decision then I can just imagine what will happen at sport controlling body levels.

 

G

 

 

I was having a conversation with a pal about this on Wednesday. If he had simply retired to a quiet life on his ranch we probably would not be here today. But he raised his profile so high that he made enemies along the way. He's the only TDF champ who tried to raise himself to the level of aristocracy.

[nickc]

I don't know how clean MTB'ing is. Ben-Melt Swanepoel lost a race to a known doper recently in the USA. I'll try find the link.

MTBing is a young sport and doping is not entrenched in the very fabric of the sport as in road cycling.

They have been doping since god invented bullets.The guys used to ride on speed

 

 

I also hope it never gets to that either.

 

As a Friday trivia question which Cape Epic winner was bust for drugs and fired from his team?

[covie]

ag i dunno hell they ban anything from aspirin to footpowder on the list, its ridiculous if you ask me, i say let them dope they doing it anyway they just wasting money trying to prove that cycling is a clean sport.

[jcza]

I also hope it never gets to that either.

 

As a Friday trivia question which Cape Epic winner was bust for drugs and fired from his team?

 

Fugelsang?

[massiveboy]

I think its all about politics and various people wanting to make a name for themselves, yes he doped and so did everyone else and they still do today albeit not to the same extent.

 

The thrill of watching cyclists racing and going through the pain they go through on those big climbs is what the sport is about, they may have taken a bit of help but they still go through worlds of pain and suffering. No-one wants to watch riders who are so stuffed they can barely pedal a bike in a straight line.

 

i know its a very grey area of discussion and really dont know the solution is but hell its been riveting watching!

 

like the gladiators in rome -- the public didnt want to see piss willy cat fights they wanted to see blood and death!!! lets face it super human performace sells and thats watch the TV networks want cause WHY -- cause thats what we want to SEE!

[nickc]

Fugelsang?

 

Close - but not him.

[duringd]

Rabo Bank is under financial stresses due to the world economic crisis. So blame history to cancel some sponsorship in order to justify budget constraints. It's a joke really.