Sans Armstrong, Tour De France Still Dope

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Jan Ullrich, Ivan Basso and dozens of other cyclists who have toiled in the 7 year shadow of Lance Armstrong were barred Friday from the Tour de France in a doping scandal of their own, causing a massive upheaval on the eve of cycling's premier race. Tour director Christian Prudhomme said team managers had agreed that riders implicated in a Spanish drug scandal would not be allowed in the race that starts Saturday.

Earlier, the T-Mobile team suspended Ullrich, fellow rider Oscar Sevilla and sporting director Rudi Pevenage because of the probe.

Source

http://www.sportsdot.org/article.pl?sid=06/06/30/145225&mode=thread

Date

Fri 06/30/06, 5:22 am EST

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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer

1267 days ago

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Oh dear... I see a "Steroids News" category... I remember a "Steroids Opinions" category. I think it's sad that there is more news about that than Armstrong.

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ChristofMVP

1267 days ago

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This year's tour should be interesting, to say the least. i think Basso has the best shot of winning it. Ulrich, the boy simply does not have the internal desire to win. Americans? Hincappie is leading the Discovery Team and Landis, from Pennslyvania, is also a contender. Nonetheless, it will be strange not watching and wondering when Armstrong will make his move.

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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer

1267 days ago

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Ullrich does not have any desire any more, I think he won it the year before Armstrong won seven in a row. They might not even start it at this rate. There's two good Ukranians I hope do well.

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ChristofMVP

1267 days ago

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Ullrch won it in 1997. Some other guy won it in 1998, and then Armstrong started his domination in 1999. At some point during this time, Ullirch skipped a Tour because of alleged issues over drugs. I don't recall if it was recreational or steriods that were at issue though.

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ChristofMVP

1267 days ago

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Opps, it just clicked with me. Basso and Ulrich were barred from the race THIS YEAR. Wow. Disregard my earlier comment stating that Basso was the rider to beat. Now, Landis may be the man. Just WOW.

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Anonymous Fanatic #1

1267 days ago

Score 1

If Jan Ullrich and Ivan Basso were both doping and Armstrong was clean, this makes his accomplishments even that more impressive.

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ChristofMVP

1267 days ago

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Armstrong was freak of nature physically. You may never see another cyclist like that again.

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Sayhey-rodSoccer Kid

1267 days ago

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Watch out for Robbie McEwan, the Aussie sprinter, now that the big guns are out.

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LPAnderson

1267 days ago

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McEwan is a force of nature. What a talent. He was just brilliant last year - and wasn't it in 2004 that he won the green jersey with broken vertebrae? I love the guy. He and Vinokurov are two dark horses to watch for. Unfortunately, this whole juicing stink kinda puts a damper on the Tour for me. I'm not sure what to believe at this point, except I do know that the French actually seem to be perveserly enjoying this debacle. It's like their cycling version of the Reign of Terror.

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Anonymous Fanatic #2

1267 days ago

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I highly doubt Armstrong was clean. In cycling, everyone dopes. It has always been that way and probably always will. There's no way a guy could win 7 straight Tours without it against an entire field that was doping. I know what a great story he is, but there's no doubt in my mind that he did it. It's sad that all cyclists have to get such a poor reputation, but it's just what they do.

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Bobbyjim45Draft Pick

1267 days ago

Score -1

My helpful insight^^^

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ChristofMVP

1267 days ago

Score 3

I truly believe Armstrong was clean during each of his seven victories. Now, before the cancer, he may or may not have used. Personally, I don't think he ever did. They have given Armstrong physical tests, and they have shown that he has lung capcity that is 2 / 3 X's that of an average human. He is truly a freak of nature.

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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer

1267 days ago

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The amount that Armstrong was tested for drugs, they'd have found something if it was there.

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