Quote:
Originally Posted by creekster
THe problem is that they aren't all cheaqting in the same way. You are assuming some sort of blood agent, meaning EPO or some such. There are as many ways to cheat as there are cheaTERS. If you use 'roids in the off-season but no EPo in-season is the field level with someone not using 'roids but using EPO in races? IOW, the playing field is not level and will not be if the drugs aren't used openly. This is really the problem in my mind if one assumes everyone is cheating. As the OP investigation in Spain plays out we may get more information about this.
I do not think everyone cheats, although I am sure everyone at least pushes the limits of cheating. What I am not convinced of, btw, is that those that win don't cheat. That there are cheaters in a sport is no big deal, in the long run. THe problem with cycling, I think, is that most people think that only cheaters are winning and there is doubt as to whether you can win without cheating. THat perception is a long term threat to the sport and is what must be addressed.
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Good points as always creekster.
When I first started to follow professional cycling a few years ago, it just amazed me that a lead as small as 1 minute is a lock going into the last few days of racing and that a 7 minute victory in the Tour was an absolute blowout, probably along the lines of a 63-7 superbowl victory. It really is a sport where a fraction of a percentage separates 1st and 2nd places. Its seems fairly predictable that if 2 guys are essentially equal with talent and training, that the guy that dopes better is going to win. There are of course other factors, such as psychology and mental toughness, but from a physiological standpoint, drugs WILL enhance performance (Thank you Viagra and Cialis for that little catchphrase).
I think most guys are willing to take their chances at getting caught. When a 1% performance improvement is the difference between a yellow jersey and being an "also ran" guy, wouldn't you take the chance? I don;t think that their long-term health concerns are really an issue for most guys. Jose Canseco's book last year made it very clear that most guys think that, if done right, doping is totally safe and harmless. They risk life and limb just entering a race in the first race, so a small possibility of stroke, cardiac infarct or collagen damage is nothing to them. Integrity of the sports also likely gets pushed to the back of their mind, clouded over by the possibility of winning or even making a good pro squad.
What am I trying to say, you might ask. Good question, as I doubt if any of this really makes any sense. Like someone stated earlier, I doubt if everyone in cycling cheats, just the guys that are winning and that can afford it.