Lots of stuff on the net about him avoiding drug testing prior to the tour and even a dodgy story about him using blood doping products in 2002.

http://www.velonews.com/tour2007/news/a ... 851.0.html

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id= ... jul20news3

I think if i was a pro i would say to the drug testing authorites " im at this location for the next few weeks so feel free to come and test me ". Him going into hiding before the tour and refusing to say where he is really concerns me. Its certainly the sign of someone up to no good. Sounds like he is one of the "men in black " that the UCI are after. If he is cheating i just hope they get him before he wins the tour or the mtns jersey.

Better question, are any pro cyclists clean?

MotoBouy wrote: Better question, are any pro cyclists clean?

More to the point

schlek1 wrote:Him going into hiding before the tour and refusing to say where he is really concerns me. Its certainly the sign of someone up to no good.

Or it's a sign that he values his privacy, and doesn't want dozens of cycling journalists interrupting his training by asking if he's doping

happybaboon wrote:

schlek1 wrote:Him going into hiding before the tour and refusing to say where he is really concerns me. Its certainly the sign of someone up to no good.

Or it's a sign that he values his privacy, and doesn't want dozens of cycling journalists interrupting his training by asking if he's doping

The private training and prep argument is a good point, but it would be a little easier to burn any doubts by just fronting up and taking the tests. Any kind of evasive action toward drug testing will instantly earn a big red DOPING flag for any rider. Good preparation for a massive event is important, but the rumor mill never stops and being straight up about any alleged drug crap makes life a lot easier for everyone. Annual drug speculation time... was it a year since the last one already? By the way, who won last year? Still hasn't been sorted

happybaboon wrote:

schlek1 wrote:Him going into hiding before the tour and refusing to say where he is really concerns me. Its certainly the sign of someone up to no good.

Or it's a sign that he values his privacy, and doesn't want dozens of cycling journalists interrupting his training by asking if he's doping

Sorry that just does not cut it. If you are a top pro athlete in any sport you must expect media attention and random drug testing anytime. You just have to learn to deal with it. Going into hiding at critical drug testing times is a sign of someone who is cheating. Not someone wanting to have a few quiet moments to himself....... Lance dealt with it and always made himself available any where at any time.

He has a Mexican wife

happybaboon wrote:

Or it's a sign that he values his privacy, and doesn't want dozens of cycling journalists interrupting his training by asking if he's doping

Yeah I'm sure thats the reason.

Giving a blood/urine test isn't exactly difficult. If you have nothing to hide its no big deal. Its part of being a professional athlete.

I view repeat non attendance at drug tests the same as a positive test and I hope the UCI do as well.

bicyclegod wrote: He has a Mexican wife

So.....??

I guess bicyclegod was trying to explain why he was 'hiding' out in Mexico. So back to the question... Is he clean?

IMHO...

NO.

Just my opinion, I could be wrong but I'd bet my bike on it that I'm not. All will be revealed soon, I'm sure of that. In fact MR is probably writing up a few excuses as I sit here typing this - brother of a deceased twin with a high haematocrit as a foetus, drunk a drink that was spiked with some kind of steroid the night before his stage win, drugs he is prescribed for his hip etc etc blah blah.

If doping is going on even at club levels (oh yes it is), we must be stupid to think the big boys can ride 3000+km at 40kph. Yeah right.

schlek1 wrote: Michael Rasmussen. Is He Clean ??

For the sake of every cyclist, especially those with road bikes, I really hope he's clean. Our sport has been dragged through the mud too many times of late...

schlek1 wrote: Sounds like he is one of the "men in black " that the UCI are after.

The "men in black" were reportedly Astana. The UCI saw their training camps in countries where cycling is not popular and going on training rides not in uniform as trying to evade doping controls. The team's explanation was that they wanted to train without the distraction of cycling fans that is common on the roads of Europe.

As for Rasmussen... his going to Mexico is not out of the ordinary. It's an ideal off-season high altitude training venue and his wife is Mexican. Failing to report his daily whereabouts is more of an issue I guess. The process of notifying your whereabouts 365 days of the year must be a pain though... why don't the UCI put electronic monitoring bracelets on all the riders like prisoners on home detention?

Tugboat wrote:As for Rasmussen... his going to Mexico is not out of the ordinary. It's an ideal off-season high altitude training venue and his wife is Mexican. Failing to report his daily whereabouts is more of an issue I guess. The process of notifying your whereabouts 365 days of the year must be a pain though... why don't the UCI put electronic monitoring bracelets on all the riders like prisoners on home detention?

You dont really need to report your whereabouts 365 days a year.. Just answer your cell phone or reply to the email asking where you are. There is no exuse in a sport where cheating is rampant.

bigjimsty wrote: If doping is going on even at club levels (oh yes it is), we must be stupid to think the big boys can ride 3000+km at 40kph. Yeah right.

big call saying at club level.. are you casting rumours at NZ club scene or is this europe you are talking about? (which to be honest i could believe)

Is constantly revealing your location to the governing body a requirement of any other sport?

Seems draconian to me. I can understand why a rider - even one who (shockingly) does not dope - may want to rebel against such treatment.