Posted on 07/25/2007 1:47:30 AM PDT by Aeronaut
But since we now know that it was a Cofidis rider who tested positive for testosterone, it makes ya wonder whether he (Cristian Moreni) participated in that little demonstration his teammates held against Rasmussen this morning, doesn’t it?
ESPN is reporting that Moreni was removed from the Cofidas team bus and lead away by French police after today’s stage. Report also said Moreni has admitted doping and did not request that his B sample be tested
The one scenario I've heard that makes a little sense is that he blood doped with his own blood (a la the Operation Puerto case) and the testosterone was present in the old blood, from when he was using it in the off season. Not saying that's what happened--Floyd was well within his training parameters when he pulled off that amazing ride to take the yellow back--but that's one way the test makes sense.
WOW. So he was actually busted. L’Equipe had a little snippet a while ago that said the police had launched a search over at the hotel housing Cofidis yesterday while all the other stuff was happening with Vino & Astana.Sounds like they might have caught somebody redhanded.
It is ETA
GOURETTE, France (AP) - Another Tour de France rider - Italian Cristian Moreni - failed a doping test and was led away by police at the end of Wednesday's 16th stage.
"He accepted his wrongdoing and did not ask for a B-sample," said Eric Boyer, manager of Moreni's Cofidis team. Athletes who are caught doping are entitled to ask for follow-up tests to confirm - and in rare cases deny - the results of the initial "A" sample.
Police were seen leading Moreni away from the Cofidis team bus. It was unclear where they were taking him.
The French sports newspaper L'Equipe said on its Web site that Moreni tested positive for testosterone after stage 11 of the Tour last Thursday.
The manager also accepts responsibility himself for not being there in the difficult moments when Moreni succumbed to temptation & will be talking to those in charge of the team to discuss the situation & make a decision (about a resignation himself, I presume.)
Well, at least he's coming right out with it, then. (Unless the cops found stuff in his room yesterday & he had no choice.)
DAMN DAMN DAMN
Hey leilani! Well, the big boys are in, with Pyewacket taking the Barn Door, but a J-125 (42’) is also home!
Morning Light & Sam Ba Ti are still match racing, coupla days out.
No - the only realistic chance riders have of making up time is during the time trial. And of the top 4 Evans is the best time trialer. I'd expect Rasmussen will be first by about 1:00, Evans and Contador will be nearly tied for second, and Leipheimer will be about 2:30 behind Rasmussen.
Well, Greg Lemond did come back from something like 10 seconds down to win back in 1986 on the Champs in Paris, so I’m guessing it has to be a small time amount for an abbreviated match race-plus the sprint bonuses on the way. (but that was for the whole tour back in the day!)
‘twas 1989, hardback. Lemond put a stunning 58” on Laurent Fignon in 24.5km (started 50” down, won the stage by 8”). Fignon was battling saddle sores, but Lemond averaged >54kph pushing huge gears.
No kumbaya stroll that year! ;>)
Well at least Moreni admitted it, although he might not have had a choice. A bit unlike Tyler Hamilton and his “disappearing twin”, whom I suspect looked an awful lot like Jan Ullrich.
True, but Lemond made up that time in a time trial into Paris. Without a time trial into Paris all the teams will ride onto the Champs together, and there's no way anyone of significance will get clear of the peloton once there.
Yesterday was a bummer, and today is too.
arrgh, my memory is failing me! Still would be good to see Levi rewared with the bronze...
But the time bonuses could play a major factor if the margin is less than 0:15, although the sprinters will probably try and gobble those up.
100 Aero!
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