Team Sky, who famously went with an anti-doping stance from the outset, have had to ask their staff to sign an anti-doping declaration as a number of riders and staff have been implicated in some of the testimonies against Armstrong. Anyone who does not sign will be removed from the team and this could put a number of riders who have been named or have now admitted to doping in the past, at risk. Also on Cyclingnews you can read what David Millar thinks of the whole thing, which is interesting from the point of view of a reformed doper who’s now very outspoken against the practice.
There was also news that Trek have parted company with Lance Armstrong (although, as with Nike they will continue to be associated with Livestrong), and this was widely reported, although nowhere as interestingly as on todaystmj4.com. The website has apparently managed to find a cyclist who once bought the same helmet and bike as Armstrong to get his in-depth opinions. Maybe very few people ride bikes in Waterloo, Wisconsin?
For anyone that’s still sadly deluded about the whole thing there’s a website where you can show your support for the serial cheat and, in fact, “Dontate” to help out.
If the unmasking of the biggest drug-cheat in sport was surprising then at least you’re unlikely to be shocked by the other big news in road cycling. Mark Cavendish has left Sky and will move to Omega Pharma Quick-Step for 2013 where he will be freer to sprint in a team less focussed around GC results. It’s a shame to see him leave the British-based team, but hopefully he’ll regain his sprinting supremacy in a new team.
After a while away from twitter, I'm pleased to return with the announcement I'll ride for @opqscyclingteam Omega Pharma-Quickstep next year
— Mark Cavendish (@MarkCavendish) October 18, 2012
Sad to see my mate Mr Mark Cavendish leaving Sky, it's been a pleasure this year and the highlight leading out the man on the Champs
— Bradley Wiggins (@bradwiggins) October 18, 2012
Another rider that could now be joining him is his former lead-out man Mark Renshaw as his current team sponsor, Rabobank, has pulled out of the professional sport. The Dutch bank has been so closely involved in cycling and so identified with it that it seems like slamming the stable door after the horse has bolted to me. Why leave the sport now as it is clean and not be part of the solution? A cynic might even suggest that there was a bit too much knowledge of doping through the company and they're trying to avoid that coming out? Whatever the reason Rabobank will now only be associated with the dark days of pro cycling and not the current age.
While that’s all a bit serious and road-based I thought it was worth ending on a story of a guy who decided to write a mountain bike guide during his degree, something that could only be the best excuse for going riding a lot.
A
PS. It seems that, in fact, riders will not be able to move from Rabobank as they will honour the pro contracts that are in place.
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