Ulrich and Basso banned from 06 tdf

[Quisqueyano]

Foxnews.com has a story this morning saying that Bass, Ulrich and several other top riders that were implicated in the doping sting in Spain are not allowed to race.
My vote is for Landis now.

[Archaea]

French paper says Tour decapitated.

http://www.lefigaro.fr/france/20060630.WWW000000304_suspendu_par_son_equipe_jan_ ullrich_ne_courra_pas_le_tour_de_france.html

Well Landis's chances as well as Hincapie's got a lot better.

[DirtyHippieUTE]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/more/specials/tour_de_france/2006/06/30/bc.cyc.tourdefrance.dop.ap/index.html?cnn=yes

Honestly... I am blown away...

[Archaea]

Are you really surprised that amoralistic Euros would stoop to this?

Remember France uses its spy network to spy for its corporations. The Euros want so badly to win, the thought of anybody but a Euro winning was just too tempting.

In some events in Asia, officials will do almost anything to ensure Asians win, because they are seen as disadvantaged, and that's culturally okay.

[Quisqueyano]

I am floored by it.
The interesting thing here is Arch, I think they may have just given the race to an American rider. Basso and Ulrich were the guys to beat. Phonak may win, but it will be Landis on the podium.
It is also interesting to see all of this drag Hamilton back into the mess. The guy served his time. Get off his back.

[SteelBlue]

Wow. Wow. This is unbelievable. Mancebo is out as well. I'm starting to believe that everybody does it.

The tour this year is ruined for me.

[Archaea]

Watch Hincapie and Landis. The Amis are clean, at least most of them.

[livecoug]

holy mackeral.. what are the odds that Lance is clean now???

[bigpiney]

Looks like Vinokourov is out because enough guys from his team are gone and they can't field a team, so everyone out.

This is crazy with the race just about to start. Wow.

[bluegoose]

I am just floored. Not to say I'm surprised, considering the recent reports implicating hundreds of riders, but what a shocker nonetheless.

Man, if the TDF field was open before today's news, its wide open now. Archaea, are you feeling rested yet from the ironman? They may need you over there to fill some spots. Don't worry its a draft legal race - you still have several days to draft and rest before they hit the mountains.

[Archaea]

Well maybe we can see an American podium. How do you think the French would feel about that?

Leipheimer, Landis and Hincapie?

[bluegoose]

Well maybe we can see an American podium. How do you think the French would feel about that?

Leipheimer, Landis and Hincapie?

Very possible. I think Creekster's guy Valverde may somehow find his way up there.

[realtall]

Well maybe we can see an American podium. How do you think the French would feel about that?


After 7 years of Lance winning it all, I think that the entire country would collectively stroke out.

[Archaea]

After 7 years of Lance winning it all, I think that the entire country would collectively stroke out.

Now who wouldn't pay to see France stroke out over their Tour being swept by Amis?

[SteelBlue]

Here's the full list of riders busted:

http://www.velonews.com/tour2006/news/articles/10177.0.html

[realtall]

Here's the full list of riders busted:

http://www.velonews.com/tour2006/news/articles/10177.0.html

Looks like Spain wins the grand prize on this one.