May 23rd
Doping
I’d like to preface this data by saying I like Lance Armstrong. He’s done a lot for cycling awareness, and his foundation is doing great things.
Still, on paper, this doesn’t exactly bode well:
1999, GC
1. Lance Armstrong
2. Alex Zülle - admitted doper; suspended
3. Fernando Escartín - ?
2000, GC
1. Lance Armstrong
2. Jan Ullrich - alleged doper; suspended / retired
3. Joseba Beloki - alleged doper; later cleared?
2001, GC
1. Lance Armstrong
2. Jan Ullrich - alleged doper; suspended / retired
3. Joseba Beloki - alleged doper; later cleared?
2002, GC
1. Lance Armstrong
2. Joseba Beloki - alleged doper; later cleared?
3. Raimondas Rumšas - alleged doper; suspended
2003, GC
1. Lance Armstrong
2. Jan Ullrich - alleged doper; suspended / retired
3. Alexander Vinokourov - alleged doper; suspended
2004, GC
1. Lance Armstrong
2. Andreas Klöden - alleged doper
3. Ivan Basso - alleged doper; suspended
2005, GC
1. Lance Armstrong
2. Ivan Basso - alleged doper; suspended
3. Jan Ullrich - alleged doper; suspended / retired
So you’re telling me Lance Armstrong was so good, he out-rode proven dopers seven times in a row without doping himself?! I don’t think so.
Ultimately, if proof of Lance’s doping is ever confirmed, it will be bad for cycling awareness and bad for cancer research. We’d all be better off if the officials let the old man retire in peace.
