Astana to lose its license?

[Guest Smimby]

Poor Nibs

 

 

So 5 of his domestique's need dope to keep up with him and then he drops them on the biggest climbs while telling us he is clean? Hmmm Nope

[_David_]

So 5 of his domestique's need dope to keep up with him and then he drops them on the biggest climbs while telling us he is clean? Hmmm Nope

 

Have to agree I dont think he is riding Paniagua

 

I must add Tyler Hamilton's book really opened my eyes as to what is truly going on in pro cycling. I think the guys are still doing blood transfusions.

[leaboy]

So 5 of his domestique's need dope to keep up with him and then he drops them on the biggest climbs while telling us he is clean? Hmmm Nope

 

that's why he's GC leader

[T-Bob]

Look more and more likely. Wonder what this means for the TdF and if they'll get a wild card invite?

 

------------------------------------------------

 

Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf reports that Astana, the team of 2014 Tour de France champion Vincenzo Nibali, will lose its WorldTour licence. Earlier this month the UCI requested the team's licence be revoked following several positive doping tests in 2014.

 

According to De Telegraaf, a senior official from the UCI informed the newspaper that the team can only apply for a Continental licence, the third tier of professional cycling after the decision was made on March 20 to revoke the licence.

 

The UCI Licence Commission is scheduled to meet on April 2 to decide on the future of Astana as a WorldTour team.

[Cav']

_{Well if the whole team doped in 2014, Surely Nibs also doped...}

[Nibali]

Astana will keep their licence for the season, but under supervision from Institut des Sciences du Sport de l’Université de Lausanne.

Read more at http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/04/news/report-astana-to-keep-its-worldtour-license_367710#wC07hKuErpg7dPXO.99

 

I'm happy for Nibali (obviaaasly), but I feel the UCI missed an opportunity here....

['Dale]

Money talks

 

Astana is one of the more sustainable teams in the peloton

Word cycling can't actually do without them

[HappyMartin]

Niballi a very exciting rider to watch. I was n Italy when he won the Giro a couple of years back. Even the Italians seemed a little surprised at how strong he was then.

 

I seriously don't believe he is clean. And I generally tend to think more on the positive side.

[ScottCM]

What is Cookson doing?

 

He wants them out and wants to "clean" up the sport but he doesn't want to be the bad guy who kicks them out personally so he put the responsibility on someone else.

 

HTFU Cookson, you are the President, rule with an iron fist an let your legacy be known for the right reasons! Never has anyone else in your position had so much opportunity to do good for the sport!

[Wez-O]

Astana will keep their licence for the season, but under supervision from Institut des Sciences du Sport de l’Université de Lausanne.

Read more at http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/04/news/report-astana-to-keep-its-worldtour-license_367710#wC07hKuErpg7dPXO.99

 

I'm happy for Nibali (obviaaasly), but I feel the UCI missed an opportunity here....

Apparently having 5 dopers in a team led by one of the biggest dopers the sport has seen in the last two decades is okay...

[Nibali]

Apparently having 5 dopers in a team led by one of the biggest dopers the sport has seen in the last two decades is okay...

 

Like I said, they missed an opportunity here. You talking about Vinokourof hey?

[rouxtjie]

BS if you ask me, crookson, you have dropped the ball sir. Astana as you were, no consequence for your setup.

[Wez-O]

BS if you ask me, crookson, you have dropped the ball sir. Astana as you were, no consequence for your setup.

Agree 100%

[Cippo]

I think the frontline for doping control should rest with the team itself. If a rider is then caught doping by WADA then the team managmemt should be held responsible as well. The rider's are obviously resorting to doping due to pressure from teams seeking results. The team management should be held responsible for keeping riders clean.

[urbanroyal]

I don't get it ....the guys doped..they got caught ..did the time...should they not ride now...they did their time. ..so what's the big deal....????????????

[GrumpyOldGuy]

BS if you ask me, crookson, you have dropped the ball sir. Astana as you were, no consequence for your setup.

Yeah, I understand where you are coming from, but theres a problem in that we have riders like Nibali and Aru to name just two big GC competitors (I like to toss Scarponi in as well, just because I am a fan ) who have a clear history and are been convicted simply by association. Thats not right either.

 

Nibali especially has remained squeaky clean through a fairly long and illustrious professional career, Aru to a lesser extent career history wise, but now, simply because of their association with Astana their credentials and future are under a cloud, there are also of course other clean riders in the team who would suffer just as much for no reason if Astana's license was pulled, I think the right decision was made, there is now no ambiguity, Astana now know where they stand and know they need to pull up their socks, theres no going back for them now, so lets see, hopefully they will prove they are up to the task.