Brandon Stewart

[shawnvan]

Ok, I've been following this thread trying to gather all the facts and come to my own conclusions. While I don't think SAIDS has covered itself in glory here, BS must be the doffest pro / team owner in the world if he thinks he can just take banned testosterone (pretty much the most heavily sanctioned PED you get) without permission and a proper TUE. Here are my take on the facts:

 

1. BS is feeling a bit down, so goes off to his GP who says his testosterone levels are low and prescribes that he up his levels.

2. BS phones some bimbo at SAIDS, who says ya no fine go ahead but apply for a TUE.

3. BS applies for the TUE, but decides he will start taking testosterone before said TUE is granted. Regardless of whether he got telephonic or email permission, the fact is that the TUE had not been granted and yet he decided to go ahead and take the testosterone and race anyway.

4. TUE is then denied (we assume for valid reasons).

5. BS now looks like a chop because he has been taking a PED without a TUE, and so starts fighting with SAIDS over the whole mess, and is eventually found guilty.

 

As others have said, this is all very suspicious behaviour on BS's side. My take is that was grossly negligent, if not taking the stuff intentionally... well, actually he was taking it intentionally...

 

As a pro, why not just wait a month or two for the outcome of the TUE before starting treatment? He surely must have known there was a possibility that the TUE would be turned down, and then what was he going to do? Would it have seriously affected his carrer not racing for a few months? Why not just tell Fedgroup, "Look, my testosterone is low, I can't race before treatment and while I apply for a TUE, and when that is granted I will start treatment and start racing again." Surely they would have understood, and probably commended his openness and for following due process. But no...

 

He claims racing is his livelihood, and yet puts that all in jeopardy because he alone thinks he can just go ahead and intentionally take a PED while awaiting the outcome of the exemption for the very PED he is taking??? WTF - being that doff in itself deserves being banned!

If this is your livelihood as a pro and team owner, you make bloody sure you know the rules and follow them, before taking anything which you know is banned.

 

But no, he like all the other egomaniac (doping) pros out there only cares about himself and the next race. He couldn't wait month or two for a yes or no from SAIDS. He had to take it now, without thinking about the consequences down the line. It is this mentality that is common in virtually every doper that has ever been busted. They only think about themselves and the next performance, screw everyone else and particularly screw the authorities and the rules.

 

BS, you only have yourself to blame.

[Eldron]

If you are a team owner, you should know the rules and stick by the rules.

 

I understand from the previous messages (queen b i think and BS statement) that he chatted to a representative of SAIDS and confirmed the TUE all in emails and declared the TUE on his forms. There are 2 problems with this:

 

1.BS never complied with the correct rules/procedure

 

2. The representative should have alerted Brandon of the correct procedure (we are unsure if she did or did not)

 

But in any case, in this day an age of professional sport and drug testing, teams (especially owners) should be fully aware of all rules and procedures and especially list of banned drugs.

 

My 2 cents.

 

Exactly right!

 

Problem is that both parties just let it slide until there was no choice - BS had testosterone in his system and SAIDS were obliged to sanction him for it.

 

BS shoulda never started without a TUE and SAIDS shoulda offered him some advice before busting him.

 

SA is starting to look like a drug haven - David George, Daryl Impey, Brendan Stewart.....if you throw in this lot:

 

 

Michael Dean Pepper

Cycling

Clenbuterol & Testoserone

48 month suspension

 

Russel Lund

Cycling

Methandienone

24 months suspension

 

Enzo Lezzi

Cycling

Deca Durabolin

15 month suspension

 

Jaco Rheeder

Cycling

Methamphetamine

24 month suspension

 

Andries van Straaten (SP)

Cycling

Methylhexaneamine

6 months suspension

 

We don't look pretty do we?

[Gen]

Besides Impey, DG and BS.. I dony kniw who the rest are that yoy mentioned. . Should I?

[Stretch]

 

 

We don't look pretty do we?

 

that said...cycling is still not the most cases in SA compared to other sports...cycling just seems to be more in the spotlight thanks to assholestrong

[Gen]

 

 

that said...cycling is still not the most cases in SA compared to other sports...cycling just seems to be more in the spotlight thanks to assholestrong

 

Woooow.. I just went to go look see.. there are a wole lot more Rugby dopers than cyclist. .. even more rugby dopers than body builder dopers. .yoh.

[Wyatt Earp]

that said...cycling is still not the most cases in SA compared to other sports...cycling just seems to be more in the spotlight thanks to assholestrong

 

The problem is however and I have said it before, too much money goes in to these prima donna's and their lavish lifestyles they try and live from the sport.

And before everyone else behind their preach about "it's the sponsor who lays out the money, they can do with their money as they please" this money can be put to a far better use to help develop cyclists with talent that can compete on the world stage.

These guys get on the world stage and they crumble because here at home they have a very cushy life and start living rather comfortable lifestyles off sponsorship money.

[Guest Smimby]

The official explanation:

 

 

"Hoffman admitted guilt, showed remorse for his actions and gave the hearing panel his full co-operation," CSA said.

"The CSA anti-doping disciplinary panel that met in Bloemfontein on February 3 subsequently reduced the suspension by six months dating back to the date of sample collection."

http://www.iol.co.za...01#.U_rVKaJN_Zs

 

 

Surely based on this DG should also get 6mnts off his sentence?

[rouxtjie]

The problem is however and I have said it before, too much money goes in to these prima donna's and their lavish lifestyles they try and live from the sport.

And before everyone else behind their preach about "it's the sponsor who lays out the money, they can do with their money as they please" this money can be put to a far better use to help develop cyclists with talent that can compete on the world stage.

These guys get on the world stage and they crumble because here at home they have a very cushy life and start living rather comfortable lifestyles off sponsorship money.

Yip but it seems those days are numbered, and they only have themselves to blame....I do feel sorry for the crop of youngsters wanting to join the local pro ranks, but it seems they will be better off going big for a international pro sponsorship. Corporates will rather spend this money on events and development I reckon since the PR and exposure miles are ten times better than giving a doped local a salary.

[rouxtjie]

 

 

Surely based on this DG should also get 6mnts off his sentence?

Maybe...but you need to pitch for your hearing to negotiate it...

[RocknRolla]

I cant wait to see what the next person caught's response excuse will be...

[Wyatt Earp]

Yip but it seems those days are numbered, and they only have themselves to blame....I do feel sorry for the crop of youngsters wanting to join the local pro ranks, but it seems they will be better off going big for a international pro sponsorship. Corporates will rather spend this money on events and development I reckon since the PR and exposure miles are ten times better than giving a doped local a salary.

 

i am completely blown away when I see how much money gets pumped in to these teams and riders, vehicles being given to them, loads of kit and bikes thrown at them ,salaries and endorsement packages and in the end of the day I have to wonder, what the hell for ?

[RocknRolla]

ya, I reackon the sooner the youngsters get out of here into the international scene, the better it would be for them.

 

Life at the top of SA cycling is easy, with a local sponsor on board.

Life trying to make it in the international arena is where one's true worth gets proven.

[RocknRolla]

i am completely blown away when I see how much money gets pumped in to these teams and riders, vehicles being given to them, loads of kit and bikes thrown at them ,salaries and endorsement packages and in the end of the day I have to wonder, what the hell for ?

 

1) Tax write-off, with a free "marketing spin-off"

2) Marketing opportunity to force product down paying participants' throats

[Gen]

ya, I reackon the sooner the youngsters get out of here into the international scene, the better it would be for them.

 

Life at the top of SA cycling is easy, with a local sponsor on board.

Life trying to make it in the international arena is where one's true worth gets proven.

 

That is why I think Reid and Rouke are so much better than our local guys, they have work their asses off in the international races just to survuve the 80% rule.

 

Btw arme Rouke he was doing well yesterday until he flatted

 

[eddy]

 

 

1) Tax write-off, with a free "marketing spin-off"

2) Marketing opportunity to force product down paying participants' throats

 

And the opportunity to brag about his ride "with the Pros"........

[Wyatt Earp]

That is why I think Reid and Rouke are so much better than our local guys, they have work their asses off in the international races just to survuve the 80% rule.

 

Btw arme Rouke he was doing well yesterday until he flatted

 

How did Rourke to then ?