Adverse analytical finding in recent mountain bike stage race

[SwissVan]

Perhaps we should do a poll on this and find out how many people riding the Epic to finish it, versus racing it for a placing are worried about this?? Based on the above statement, you might be surprised!!!! Which in turn turns the rest of the process into a farce.

 

Barry, please tell the UCI you will pay them back ALL of the winnings you have EVER made from cycling as acceptance of your guilt... And that amounts to how much exactly?? Yes, we're really sorting out doping in cycling today baby!

 

That poll will mean squat, I'm pretty sure Barry was not to worried about it before the time either, so that's not going to prove anything other than he maybe in hindsight he should have been more worried about it.

 

Its pretty simple, I don't believe fun riders riding in this type of event deserve special treatment, some seem to think they should be treated with more compassion.

 

We can argue till the sky falls on our heads you wont change my opinion and i'm not going to change yours, that's life lets leave it at that.

[Myra]

Bragging rights?

 

Well that I just don't get. Who brags about coming nowhere in a race that they are doing for fun. Are there really people like that? And would you take them seriously? I wouldn't.

 

Add to that the fear of not being able to finish

 

Now that, to me, is just ridiculous (not you personally - anyone who would dope just to finish a race). I don't know anyone who would do that, do you?

 

Perhaps we should do a poll on this and find out how many people riding the Epic to finish it, versus racing it for a placing are worried about this?? Based on the above statement, you might be surprised!!!! Which in turn turns the rest of the process into a farce.

 

I think we should have a poll and ask all the hubbers

1. would they dope if they're not racing (and if yes, why?)

2. would they dope to finish a race.

[Tjokkits]

See, the problem with the epic is all riders start together and all stand the same chance at the start of the race, to win it. It doesn't matter if you are there to social or to race, if you are a pro or a fun rider, at the start everyone has the same chance. Now, what if all 300 guys in front of him suddenly had mechanical and suddenly he's winning, its not impossible, just improbable. They wont tell him, you are a fun rider, you cannot win and if they do, I can bet you he will fight for his win. Another thing is I don't buy into this fun rider thing, that's only a way of trying to get yourself out from underneath the rules. As soon as you start upgrading a bike, because it "performs" better, then you are getting competitive, as soon as you worry about finishing or where you place, you are competitive. Like I said, its not nice being the one that got caught and in your mind you think its a waste of time, but you have an equal chance of winning, so you have an equal chance of cheating. Saying its a waste to test them is like saying its a waste to disqualify the guy that came 300th, but he took several shortcuts on the route to be able to get there.

 

Sigh, lack of common sense that makes compliance in so many areas non relevant now adays. If the fun rider plonker now finds him or herself in this not so impossible but improbable situation then test his or her pee to hearts desire and if any stuff is detected kick him or her off the podium

[NotSoBigBen]

 

Well that I just don't get. Who brags about coming nowhere in a race that they are doing for fun. Are there really people like that? And would you take them seriously? I wouldn't. opening a can of worms you are

 

 

 

Now that, to me, is just ridiculous (not you personally - anyone who would dope just to finish a race). I don't know anyone who would do that, do you? it takes all kinds of people and I would not be surprised ....

 

 

 

I think we should have a poll and ask all the hubbers

1. would they dope if they're not racing (and if yes, why?)

2. would they dope to finish a race.

Would any hubbers admit either of these?

 

Just my thoughts ....

[DIPSLICK]

Just my thoughts ....

THE PART WHERE YOU SAY "WOULD ANY HUBBER ADMIT EITHER OF THESE"

 

PLEASE THE HUB IS FULL OF ANGELS WHO DO NO WRONG EVER

[Myra]

Just my thoughts ....

 

Well maybe I'm just very naive.

 

With regard to the poll, isn't there an option to vote anonymously? That's what I had in mind.

[NotSoBigBen]

THE PART WHERE YOU SAY "WOULD ANY HUBBER ADMIT EITHER OF THESE"

 

PLEASE THE HUB IS FULL OF ANGELS WHO DO NO WRONG EVER

 

Please accept my humblest apologies. the 'level of holier than thoughness' had slipped my mind

[SwissVan]

 

A. Well that I just don't get. Who brags about coming nowhere in a race that they are doing for fun. Are there really people like that? And would you take them seriously? I wouldn't.

 

 

 

B. Now that, to me, is just ridiculous (not you personally - anyone who would dope just to finish a race). I don't know anyone who would do that, do you?

 

 

 

C. I think we should have a poll and ask all the hubbers

1. would they dope if they're not racing (and if yes, why?)

2. would they dope to finish a race.

 

A. Not finishing the epic within the cutoff time is a distinct possibility for a fair number of riders and finishing the entire event within the official cut off time is something to be proud of or brag about if you want to put it that way. Doing the epic or similar type of event carries some prestige even for us back markers and is a serious investment in time and outlay of money so I think its reasonable to say some would do anything to be classed as an official finisher.

 

B. See A and yes I know 2 people personally who have doped before in events of similar or even less prestige.

 

C. Try it, I know my response would be No but how do you know I'm telling the truth?

[Baaisikilist]

 

 

To be very honest, if I were you, I would now retire this from The Hub and go and fight this battle in silence.

 

Sensible advice, which I'll follow.

I posted and updated here because I thought it might be informative and a good opportunity for hubbers to get an 'inside look' at how it all works, which I think it has been. I'm sure another 29r vs 26r vs 650b vs clipless vs flats vs what tyres for my 29r would have been better.

 

To be honest I don't give a continental crap what the naysayer's think of me.

Every know it all can post their opinions here till the cows come home, but the fact is the decision lies with CSA, and that's all that will ultimately count. I've not hidden anything and have thick skin and my head held high. I've not lost any friends or family over this, and that won't happen no matter what the outcome.

For those who are interested in the process, I'll post details as to what's going on as n when I find out.

I'll be back in action and racing competitively for top 300 places in 2015. See u at the races then.

[JA-Q001]

Sigh, lack of common sense that makes compliance in so many areas non relevant now adays. If the fun rider plonker now finds him or herself in this not so impossible but improbable situation then test his or her pee to hearts desire and if any stuff is detected kick him or her off the podium

 

No, sorry, not a lack of common sense. Its the ability to see people have double standards for everything, as long as it suits them.

 

 

Ps. MTBaaisikilist, good luck with the proceedings. Please do not see most of the comments as a personal attack and thanks for having an open head and also giving all the insights from the other side.

Edited July 31, 2013 by JA-Q001

[KiNgL]

ps what bike do you ride?

[gtr1]

MTBaaisikilist, appreciate your openness and honesty. And yes it does bring some insight into the process. Also highlights just how naive all of us are to doping. So nothing personal, just general observations, and yes I hate dopers. I have been on the losing side of doping many years ago when as a youngster you are faced with the decision, is that what I need to do to compete when you know you are bett than some of the doped riders.

 

My take is zero tolerance and there should be harsher punishments. You can't draw a line and "allow" some categories to dope and others not. So the rules have to cover all. I suppose the percentages work in the favour of the fun rider as very little chance of ever been tested. You were unlucky in this case, which as you admit, doesn't make it right.

 

We all sign and accept terms in these contracts, like the UCI contract, without knowing and understanding the terms. Which is what makes this discussion insightful.

 

On the Epic, in theory it is The major mtb race in the world and as such no real fun riders. But that's a different debate on the format of the event.

 

Good luck with CSA.

[SwissVan]

MTBaaisikilist, appreciate your openness and honesty. And yes it does bring some insight into the process. Also highlights just how naive all of us are to doping. So nothing personal, just general observations, and yes I hate dopers. I have been on the losing side of doping many years ago when as a youngster you are faced with the decision, is that what I need to do to compete when you know you are bett than some of the doped riders.

 

My take is zero tolerance and there should be harsher punishments. You can't draw a line and "allow" some categories to dope and others not. So the rules have to cover all. I suppose the percentages work in the favour of the fun rider as very little chance of ever been tested. You were unlucky in this case, which as you admit, doesn't make it right.

 

We all sign and accept terms in these contracts, like the UCI contract, without knowing and understanding the terms. Which is what makes this discussion insightful.

 

On the Epic, in theory it is The major mtb race in the world and as such no real fun riders. But that's a different debate on the format of the event.

 

Good luck with CSA.

 

Well said

[Myra]

A. Not finishing the epic within the cutoff time is a distinct possibility for a fair number of riders and finishing the entire event within the official cut off time is something to be proud of or brag about if you want to put it that way. Doing the epic or similar type of event carries some prestige even for us back markers and is a serious investment in time and outlay of money so I think its reasonable to say some would do anything to be classed as an official finisher.

 

Like I said, I'm probably just naive.

 

B. See A and yes I know 2 people personally who have doped before in events of similar or even less prestige.

 

Wow. I'm glad I'm not in the same social circles as you but thanks for the info.

[Tubehunter]

That poll will mean squat, I'm pretty sure Barry was not to worried about it before the time either, so that's not going to prove anything other than he maybe in hindsight he should have been more worried about it.

 

Its pretty simple, I don't believe fun riders riding in this type of event deserve special treatment, some seem to think they should be treated with more compassion.

 

We can argue till the sky falls on our heads you wont change my opinion and i'm not going to change yours, that's life lets leave it at that.

 

Let's get this clear! Has anyone attempted to say we should condone doping and allow it in sport? Nope, didn't see any posts like that. Has anyone said Barry should not be banned for the 2 years?? Nope, even he is prepared to accept his punishment, however unintentional it was. What are the rest of us really on about then?? We're saying, stop making a farce out of the whole situation because targeting Barry is certainly not going to clean up doping in cycling WHERE IT MATTERS MOST and focusing this on him and other fun riders is a complete waste of bladdy resources!

 

Oh and Swiss, not trying to change your opinion dude, just trying to add to the debate, which needs some perspective...

Edited July 31, 2013 by Tubehunter

[Erroli8a8]

Hi all.

 

just my 2c worth.

 

i "play" another sport as well. i have been through the physical testing and its no joke the lengths taken to make sure the samples are correct and all info is correct.

 

i was asked if i was on any medication or had taken any medication over the past 6 months. i was lucky that i had not. its important to remember these things and give all the info needed. if you were sick or had an injury were you were give meds for its important to state it when you have the tests, this covers your ass. remember this for all the people who have never been tested before.

 

the point to all of this, who out of the pack riders have ever told the doc that you might get tested so we need clean drugs?? WHO i can bet that maybe 1 or 2 at most have asked the doc for clean meds. this is were us mear mortals will fall short if we are tested. You will be bust if you take the wrong over the counter cough meds etc now that is your fault for not ready the anti dugs paper and knowing what is allowed and what is not. Who reads that stuff?

 

it is not for us to shun other riders especialy those that are not competing for the top places and prizes as we dont know their situations before the race, injury / cold etc.

 

i do think that there will always be the people who will push the boundaries with drugs or even with GU to ride better faster longer.

 

if GU helps you to ride better faster longer is it also not a performance enhancing substance? if not then why take it.