Who won the 2010 TdF?

[Si]

Contador? Nope, well not until the next appeal anyway!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/16905217

I sometimes think that cycling would do so much better without all of these wonderful sports people to represent us.

[Audax67]

The verdict was handed down by a three-man jury consisting of Israeli Efraim Barack, Quentin Byrne-Sutton of Switzerland and German Ulrich Haas.

Y'what???

[thirdcrank]

Perhaps the solution would be disqualify the entire field whenever anything like this happened. Sounds harsh, but so long as the proposed penalty was well-publicised twelve months in advance and independently enforced with total rigour, I suspect the problem would disappear overnight.

[mike4.3]

I want to know if William Hill owe me more money as I backed Denis Menchov who's moved up from third to second

[Ayesha]

Perhaps the solution would be disqualify the entire field whenever anything like this happened. Sounds harsh, but so long as the proposed penalty was well-publicised twelve months in advance and independently enforced with total rigour, I suspect the problem would disappear overnight.

Nah.
If the TdF was abandonned with no winner when one rider is found to be using drugs, there would be a great reluctance to sponsor a cycling team. As a result, teams couldn't afford to pay the riders, let alone travel to events. The major tours would disappear overnight.

[Mick F]

What's wrong with using drugs?
If they were allowed, everybody could use them, and then it would be a fair contest.

Also, the TdF organisation would save a fortune in not testing the riders.

[Si]

If they were allowed, everybody could use them, and then it would be a fair contest.

I'd say because those involved in amateur sport would see their heroes using them and think that it was OK. Which would lead to them taking all sorts of things without the supervision of a team doctor, thus potentially doing themselves lots of damage.

Furthermore, some of the stuff taken may be illegal rather than just against the rules of the sport.

And, of course, the drugs could be damaging to the athletes (we've already had a few cases where death has been linked with drug use) - given the overwhelming need to win they might take all sorts of stuff, or, even worse, their team might give the all sorts of stuff without telling them what it is.

Finally - it would be sad if such contests were decided upon who had the best doctor rather than who was the best rider.

[Ellieb]

& also different people react differently to the same drug.

[meic]

It is not a fair contest anyway!

Best doctor, best bike, best sponsor, most money what is the difference?
Certainly no chance for your local wheelers of winning.

I suppose weak willed amateurs may try and emulate (but anymore than they do already?) or they could take pride in being "amateurs" who dont do that sort of thing.

At the moment it is just a case of keeping one step ahead of the regulation or its enforcement.

The Police can look out for illegal drugs.

[Si]

It is not a fair contest anyway!

But it is fairer than if drugs were allowed.

weak willed amateurs

Do you really think that the 'weak willed' are the only ones that would start taking previously banned drugs if they saw all the pros doing so?

[Pickled Pig]

If they were allowed, everybody could use them, and then it would be a fair contest.

I'd say because those involved in amateur sport would see their heroes using them and think that it was OK. Which would lead to them taking all sorts of things without the supervision of a team doctor, thus potentially doing themselves lots of damage.

Darwinian evolution - I'm all for it however disturbing the concept of personal responsibility may be to some.

Furthermore, some of the stuff taken may be illegal rather than just against the rules of the sport.

That's why we have a police force

And, of course, the drugs could be damaging to the athletes (we've already had a few cases where death has been linked with drug use) - given the overwhelming need to win they might take all sorts of stuff, or, even worse, their team might give the all sorts of stuff without telling them what it is.

Many professional athletes suffer long term effects unrelated to drugs - by all means place a liability on team managers to inform riders of what they are taking but otherwise I agree fully with Mick F.

[eileithyia]

If they were allowed, everybody could use them, and then it would be a fair contest.

I'd say because those involved in amateur sport would see their heroes using them and think that it was OK. Which would lead to them taking all sorts of things without the supervision of a team doctor, thus potentially doing themselves lots of damage.

Furthermore, some of the stuff taken may be illegal rather than just against the rules of the sport.

And, of course, the drugs could be damaging to the athletes (we've already had a few cases where death has been linked with drug use) - given the overwhelming need to win they might take all sorts of stuff, or, even worse, their team might give the all sorts of stuff without telling them what it is.

Finally - it would be sad if such contests were decided upon who had the best doctor rather than who was the best rider.

You think amateur riders who are prepared to spend 5k or more on a race bike and even more money on coaches might not also consider spending a few £100 on performance enhancing drugs, already..... it is why CTT has drug testing out at events and certainly key events in the calendar.

[reohn2]

Its the money thats the reason for it all.
Athletes need protecting from themselves.
The whole of professional(sic) sport is riddled with it,its the money,once the prestige is reached the money rolls in,the monster feeds the problem.The problem feeds the monster.

Anyone who thinks drugs should be allowed hasn't a clue what kind of pandora's (pill)box will be opened.

What a mess

[pliptrot]

What's wrong with using drugs?
If they were allowed, everybody could use them, and then it would be a fair contest.

Also, the TdF organisation would save a fortune in not testing the riders.

Quite. Let's make all drugs legal, so we have a fairer society and the police can save a fortune in not chasing users of (currently) illegal drugs.

[Tonyf33]

What's wrong with using drugs?
If they were allowed, everybody could use them, and then it would be a fair contest.

Also, the TdF organisation would save a fortune in not testing the riders.

Quite. Let's make all drugs legal, so we have a fairer society and the police can save a fortune in not chasing users of (currently) illegal drugs.

<text deleted - if you can't discuss the issue nicely then please don't discuss it at all>

Obviously neither of you have any idea what the effects of drugs have to the body even in a supposed controlled environment never mind someone taking them willy nilly. You clearly have no idea of the long term effects to the person after the event (IF they stop) and to the families/friends of those that have taken them both during and afterwards
That you clearly appear to advocate it in sport and one of you in society is absolutely abhorrent to me, you should both hang your heads in shame. I'm absolutely disgusted by your crass and quite frankly uneducated comments