Not sure whether to laugh or cry on this one… 🙄

vitriolic bile

Just so we all understand what the USADA’s arbitration process is, it is a prosecutor (Tygart), a lead arbitrator (Tygart) and two (of Tygart’s) employees. If there’s a ruling by this board that gets appealed, then the appeal goes to Tygart. There are no internal or external controls on the USADA.

On Thursday, Aug. 23, Armstrong announced that he wasn’t going to play in Tygart’s sandbox. Tygart, the same day, in an excited, agitated manner, announced that he, personally, was stripping Armstrong of his seven Tour de France titles, his Olympic medal and all financial rewards from his cycling career. However, the International Cycling Union and the Amaury Sport Organization, which is in charge of the Tour de France, have not accepted mini-despot Tygart’s opinion, which is the USADA’s ruling, because they want to see the evidence to back it up. The bylaws of the World Anti-Doping agency says they have to back the USADA, but they have demurred, awaiting the evidence.

Gotta love the measured, objective reporting…

The “interview” with LA in the link I posted above is amusingly satirical…

Cyclismas Let’s delve into that subject. Why did you come back from retirement? Your return is being discussed as your Achilles heel, opening the door for USADA to move against you.

Lance Honestly?

Cyclismas That would be nice for a change.

Lance Hang on. (dials cellular phone) Hi Mark? Can I spill the beans on why I came out of retirement? Is there any damage to the titles if I share the truth? Yes. Yes. Yes. No. No. He didn’t ask about that yet. It’s fine? Alright. I’ll go for it. (hangs up phone)

Cyclismas So you can tell us the truth on that one?

Lance Yes. I did it for the alimony.

Cyclismas Sorry? Alimony? Can you elaborate?

Lance Sure what the hell. All my ex-girlfriends receive a monthly payment in exchange for their signing of a non-disclosure agreement for keeping my activities private and quiet. I also make substantial payments to Kik for the kids and her lifestyle, not to mention taking care of my kids with Anna. Plus, I just can’t help but have extra helpings, if you know what I mean. Seriously, the number of blondies in Colorado for the US Pro is off the hook. The boys have done some good scouting for me the past two weeks.

I come across this a fair bit on my commute.

At first I thought walkers with a grudge, but it was a bunch of teenage girl horseriders putting up “jumps”. No different to us really, then. It was a public footpath, so neither of us should have ben there….

As for the responses ^ about speed on public trails – sorry to be “boring”, but some forum users need to grow up. There are places for balls out racing and there are places for considerate trail sharing

For the first hand revelations click here…[/url]

😉

Double post

Faced a similar choice 12 months ago – I’m 6’3″.
Was very tempted by either 26 or 29 Scale, but difficult to get a test ride in large sizes. Ended up with a reduced 21″ Taureg from the Van Nicholas website.

USADA to publish evidence…

The bulk of that evidence is testimony from at least a dozen of his former team-mates and associates, but it is not, as has been reported, evidence gathered during the federal investigation into allegations of systematic doping at the US Postal Service cycling team.

This looks like a different twist…

Usada has not had access, despite requests, to the evidence the Food and Drug Administration investigators gathered, and has built its own case.

another excellent, measured piece…

again, nicely summarises LA’s achievements, and downfall…

… tellingly, another commentator who write’s LA’s sporting “obituary” with sympathy – As part of a generation of dopers, it’s not the doping that has actually brought him down, it’s the aggressive denials and pursuit of others that have left him looking ridiculous

from wiki…

Development of the tank began in 1943 and manufacture of the Centurion began in January 1945, six prototypes arriving in Belgium less than a month after the war in Europe ended in May 1945.[1] It first entered combat with British Army in the Korean War in 1950, in support of the UN forces.

Blue green and Black were open at the w/e.

Cant speak for the red

Fair enough.

I have taken the opinion that most journos still seem to be very cautious about reporting on this – the Beeb especially, have been very “conservative”* shall we say. LA’s reputation for aggressive legal action obviously still has some weight.

* – Or alternatively, you could venture the opinion that the mainstream media dont want to cover this in a balanced way. few seem to be willing to delve into the detail of the previous (publically availbale) concerns about LA

As previously posted in the great “can we raise a Bomber Command aircrew” thread, my “great uncle” flew those…

Seem to remember that he spoke very highly of how good an aircraft it was to fly – apart from not having the ceiling of the later heavies

He also spoke very highly of the Mossie.
Curiously, I don’t remember him having the same affection for the Lanc – perhaps too much the workhorse…???

Centurion Tanks for example

was already there.

Korean era, surely??

Did I selectively quote – or the original article??? I didn’t bother quoting what has already been placed on this thread…

piemonster – that Times online piece is very good. Puts the strident denials in context. LA has squandered the chance of a sympathetic reception because of his agressive stance

Hadn’t seen this one before…?

Drug raid on LA TdF hotel called off

Michel Rieu, the scientific adviser to France’s national anti-doping agency, that Armstrong received up to 20 minutes warning of imminent ‘random’ drug tests

“A French investigation detail came from Paris to carry out a raid. But I have it on good authority that around five in the afternoon, when they were in front of the hotel, the investigators were told to abort. The scheduled operation was called off at the last minute. I do not know who gave the order… But I do know the investigators were furious at having to turn on their heels.”

or a set of bollox for chamberlain in 1938

Explain???

And if it’s full of fabrication and lies about Armstrong, will he sue?

I don’t see how he can after giving “You know what? I’ve had enough of all this” as his reason for not contesting the USADA charges.

Yes – I’m thinking the same…

I suspect that most of Hamilton’s grand jury / USADA testimony will be in the book, and I’d also guess that is why LA has hung up the towel.. A quick google suggests there hasnt been any legal bid (yet) to block Hamilton’s book…

And Hamilton would be on his way to court (one way or the other) if the book differed greatly from his grand jury testimony. Any major discrepencies between book and testimony and either LA would sue for libel, or the Feds would be after him for perjury

And the Arado Blitz. The world’s first operational jet bomber (not the Canberra as erroneously claimed on the Beebs jets of the 50s programme)

A real tech-fest. The Uhu

Glitchety

It depends what comes out during arbitration for the remaining three and whether USADA publish the evidence they have against Armstrong (and in how much detail).

Sounds like Tyler Hamilton will beat them all to it…

Got to be the Gustav

Choice of the Experten – Highest scoring fighter of all time

so there’s no substitute for a good supply of old fashioned tough bastards?

More the political systems and industrial base to “keep em coming”. In the East, the Soviets had uncountable numbers of men to just throw away (indiscrimately). IIRC the Red Army losses were circa 20M?? And those that decided to “retreat” were shot.

On the other side, the Yanks manufacturing capacity sealed the end of the war as soon as they entered. In Normany the M4 Sherman was hopelessy outclassed by German armour, but the Yanks could just keep them rolling off the production line

I think a lot of you are forgetting the numbers game here…

The Germans had any amount of technologically advanced weapons systems that were way ahead of the equivalents fielded by the Allies.

But WW2 was a war of total mobilisation. A handful of modern weapons isn’t going to help a hell of a lot – and a good job too, because the Germans were way ahead…

ETA – Just read a book about the 1943 tank battles around the Kursk salient. As effective as the German panzer corp was (in terms of discipline and weapons), it was the numbers of troops / tanks that the Soviets could commit (plus as much again held in reserve) that made it a strategic victory for the Soviets, even if post Cold War analysis awards the tactical win to the wehrmacht

Another vote for Cocker Spaniel…

This one is mad, but lovely. Never seen a spaniel with as much speed or energy!

The internet ???

Hopefully the German people would have had a whole better idea of what was going on

glitchy?

I’ve got a Gore Windstopper one – nice and light, not at all bulky. Ideal for spring / autumn.

Hasn’t had much use the last few years thought – it’s either monsoon waterproof or jersey

If it’s a VW wont you have to change the cheesey discs as well???

We did on my wife’s Polo

ETA – always pushed calipers back with a very large flat headed screwdriver

Also this is what LA signed up for in the agreement of his US racing licence.

We all tend to forget about these little details when we sign a piece of paper.

My son started fencing earlier this year, and is coming on well. His club want him to enter competitions, so he needs to upgrade his British Fencing membership to a competition membership category – and has to sign up to the WADA code…

This should apply in all contested cases unless there is an admission of guilt.

Fair enough – but how does that relate to this case.

This case specifically IS NOT BEING CONTESTED

Someone a few pages back mentioned the forthcoming Tyler Hamilton book…

Considering a purchase… presuming there’s no injunction taken out against publication.

Has anyone heard whether there has been any legal wrangling over publication?

hora – fair enough – and I respect that.

In the mean time, I missed this, from the BBC website yesterday…

UCI offered free legal advice

As many of us have stated / alluded, the real story isn’t necessarily about doping – it’s this….

The International Cycling Union (UCI) says it has been contacted by up to 20 sports lawyers offering free legal representation following the decision of the United States Anti-Doping Agency’s (Usada) to ban Lance Armstrong for life for doping offences.

The BBC understands that the UCI is now weighing up two specific offers from UK-based lawyers.

[SNIP]
Trevor Watkins, head of the sports division at international law firm Pinsent Masons, agrees that “fundamental issues about the structure of sport” are at stake.

“It is right that Usada should ensure we have a level playing field and its role is clear,” he said. “But the UCI’s role, as the international federation, is also clear.

“What’s not clear is what happens when one body tries to impose a judgement on the other. We need to know who does what.

The UCI had previously challenged Usada’s right to proceed against Armstrong, writing to the agency’s chief executive Travis Tygart, demanding that he submit whatever evidence he has to a panel set up by cycling’s world governing body.

The UCI has since dropped this demand under pressure from the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada), the main organisation in the fight against drugs in sport, and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which runs the Olympic Games and provides Wada with half of its funding.

The BBC has spoken to another leading sports lawyer who is scathing in his criticism of the UCI’s role in this process.

The lawyer, who wished to remain anonymous as he has a professional interest in the case, said Wada’s rules do not give an international federation seniority over a national anti-doping agency in cases of this type.

He also pointed out that Usada was within its grounds to push on with its investigation under the UCI’s own “discovery rule”, which states that whichever agency comes into evidence of cheating has the authority to pursue the case.

He also believes the governing body’s position has been compromised by suggestions it was complicit in Armstrong’s cheating.

There is one key issue that everybody agrees on, though: the UCI’s decision to effectively come out in support of Armstrong will not only be based on the legal merits of its case. [That’s an outstanding statement…]

With the IOC, Wada and cycling fans around the world watching closely, the UCI must weigh up the political costs of backing such a divisive figure, particularly if the evidence he has sought to contain reaches the public domain anyway.

So, do the UCI want to dance, or are they going to shuffle off into the dark corner and order another beer

alex 222 – but that’s not really what you posted before 😉

I agree, the TdF titles shouldn’t be handed over to anyone else – unless there is a viable “clean” candidate from the previous podium places…

I also think that it is important to recognise his achievements in beating cancer and on the bike, albeit with the caveat that like most of his contemporaries, the racing achievements will now be tarnished..

As posted above, it’s the off-bike behaviour that has reduced my opinion of the man

what a lovely piece of trolling 🙄

We could make better use of the capacity we currently have by replacing most domestic flights with train travel. E.g. Edinburgh-London is 4h30m by train, and it takes you right into the centre. Then we could use the landing slots for international flights. Of course that would require a flying pig integrated transport policy and sensible pricing. Maybe we’re all doomed

I both agree and disagree…

As posted above – I think LHR needs MORE domestic landing slots. It CANNOT act as a well functioning hub without this (and direct high speed / mainline rail straight to the terminals). For international flights, I want the (reasonably priced) option of checking in at (say)Cardiff and getting off at wherever I am going

For travel to London (as a destination) then I agree – train is better

rkk01 do you hate him?

Not in the slightest.

Like many of the posters on this thread, I always admired his comeback from cancer. I was slightly incredulous when that comeback included winning TdFs, but gave the man the benefit of the doubt, even though the suspicions lurked in my mind…

At that stage his denials and anti-doping stance (as viewed from a “general public perspective) were good enough for me. [After the Indurain period I wasn’t much in to road cycling and paid little notice of the Tour, although by LA’s fifth or so my interest had been re-attracted (equalling Mig etc)]

The more time has passed, his off bike behaviour has persuaded me that there is more to this story. I’d prefer to hear the “truth”, rather than allegations and counter claims. Unfortunately LA has done more than anybody else to prevent the various lines of evidence being publicly aired for all (or a court) to evaluate.

I am a strong believer in fairness and “natural justice”. The rich and powerful using their money and influence to get others to shut up doesn’t sit well – the more of that LA has done, the more he has gone down in my estimation.

I do find the claims of a stitch up / witch hunt to be quite worrying. It really is not a case of USADA presenting an arbitration or nothing – guilty because I say so scenario.

If you don’t beleive me, then read Judge Sparks’ statement. He does criticise USADA (although they are not alone – LA and UCI were also criticised by the Judge). BUT, his conclusion was that USADA had the right jurisdiction and that they had a fair system for appropriate due process – including access to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

If LA is so distressed about a fair arbitration, why not go through the process and appeal to CAS? Surely that is why the process is in place – for all athletes… LA does not, and should not get any different treatment to others.

It seems to me that the only consistencey here is LA NOT wanting the various testimonies (ok, some tainted) and other evidence to be heard in public.

He hasn’t even been consistent in his denial of doping…

– To start with he had a very strong anti-doping stance – denied doping

– To back this up, he pursued anyone who spoke out against him, including pursuing libel cases – good on him, I would, if the statements were in fact libel (ie he hadn’t doped)

– As more information has come to light, he has stopped threatening libel action. To me that suggests he fears a loss in the courts…?

– And his PR line has changed to reflect this reduced willingness to pursue libel action… He now claims “most tested athlete” and “never failed a drugs test”, a subtley very different use of language.

So, “hater” – No, far from it

Disappointed – yes very, for the sport and for LA

Most of all, I would love to see an “honest resolution” to this.
No lynch mob justice, no cover up or shady out of court settlements…

We need a far better integrated transport system.

Until we have that, the comparisons with Schipol etc will be somewehre between tragic and hilarious…

All of the London airports are a nightmare to get to – and the regional airports (in the main) don’t offer a credible alternative.

If Heathrow were to get another runway, should it be used mainly for domestic flights? LHR could then truly be a UK hub for the regional airports to connect in to. At the moment the landing slots are too few and valuable to make this viable. If I fly from Cardiff, I’m better off using Scipol as a hub – otherwise it is drive / train / bus from Wales to London 👿

I like the “idea” of the Thames estuary airport – ie a fully inter-connected hub, linked to all other transport modes… but it’s the wrong side of London for almost everyone. One of the old central England USAF bases would have been better placed as a “UK hub”. Upper Heyford, for example, is right next to the M40 and an existing rail line…

So who knows? He did win against the best who were doping though so at least he isn’t a Ben Johnson if he did dope. He is also genetically odd IMO- a very very fit fella, even now. Thats got to go someway into explaining why he was dominant when he was in his prime

Others beat me to it on Ben Johnson – There was some discussion during the Olympics coverage about the “shame” of that 100m line-up…

Secondly, the genetic thing…

Ashenden addresses these claims in his interview. His view is that there is nothing physiologically unusual about LA. In fact it is another area where LA has lied – and unusually, he has actually admitted to “lying” (misleading / being incorrect, whatever phrase…)…

The great / unnatural physiological claims are based on a high output per kg claimed after his cancer recovery, but the low bodyweight figures these are based on have subsequently been countered (by LA himself), in that he never raced as low as 72kg…

[tinfoil hat mode] The superhuman physiology story almost seems a bit a pre-spinning for his “dramatically improved” performances after cancer recovery [\tinfoil hat mode]

ETA – and if “genetic” – ie he always had it in him, how come his earlier performances were (comparatively) so poor…?

Yeah. Mtfu.

Posted similar recently. Riding an old roadie with 53;39 and a very low cassette (8 sp, 23T bottom gear). Bought a nes cassette 11-25, although tbh was getting used to honking it up S Wales steep lanes