2021, Tour de France. Who, what, where.

[Hairybiker84]

From what I've read, there was a period of 6 months where he didn't have any testing.
Back in the bad old days you would have been unlucky to be caught positive during a race, the drugs were used routinely during training and the riders were weaned off before a big event.
Regular random unannounced testing was supposed to fix that loophole, then there was Covid.
David Millar, one of the ITV4 commentators was heavily involved in doping but came clean and was an ambassador for riding clean in his latter professional career, his book is worth a read.

[Hairybiker84]

I'm sure things have moved on since though, how sophisticated has synthetic blood doping got now?
If you are going to cheat, you've only got to find a way of fooling the current tests.
Check out the history of retested historic blood samples from athletes with more up to date methods.

[Bigyin]

There was an interview tonight where he was expressly saying "I am tested all the time, twice before the last stage and once after" so the team are already trying to manage the rumours.

To be fair to him, as has been said by others, everybody else who would normally challenge him has issues through either past injuries, form or crashes within the last few days.

The usual Ineos train doesnt have the same bite as Carapaz is their last hope and he is being left by Pogacar when he decides to go. Who knows, he might crack one day in the mountains but the gaps are now 5 minutes to everyone whi would normally be a threat apart from O Connor who is 2 mins out

[Hairybiker84]

There was an interview tonight where he was expressly saying "I am tested all the time, twice before the last stage and once after" so the team are already trying to manage the rumours.

To be fair to him, as has been said by others, everybody else who would normally challenge him has issues through either past injuries, form or crashes within the last few days.

The usual Ineos train doesnt have the same bite as Carapaz is their last hope and he is being left by Pogacar when he decides to go. Who knows, he might crack one day in the mountains but the gaps are now 5 minutes to everyone whi would normally be a threat apart from O Connor who is 2 mins out

He won't be caught by testing during the race as he won't be taking anything they are testing for. He'll be reaping the benefits from doping during training.
Did you read the article I linked? It explains some of the dubious things about last year's TDF.
https://forum.cyclingnews.com/threads/t ... ?view=date - a discussion about him and his beyond belief performances.
I really cannot see how anyone can be that much better than his peers by ethical means, that's the crux of it.

[weeksy]

Sprint day.... with some of the big players now out of the race due to not making time-cuts....

Maybe it's a day for Cavendish again.... possibly !!!

[weeksy]

Absolute text book lead out and Cavendish takes his 3rd!

Boom!

[weeksy]

The other riders need to grasp, sitting on his wheel is absolutely pointless

[Dodgy69]

His last lead out man could do it himself. Superb win.

[Bigyin]

The other riders need to grasp, sitting on his wheel is absolutely pointless

Hopefully they will continue to fail to grasp and Cav makes history by the end of next week

[Bigyin]

He won't be caught by testing during the race as he won't be taking anything they are testing for. He'll be reaping the benefits from doping during training.
Did you read the article I linked? It explains some of the dubious things about last year's TDF.
https://forum.cyclingnews.com/threads/t ... ?view=date - a discussion about him and his beyond belief performances.
I really cannot see how anyone can be that much better than his peers by ethical means, that's the crux of it.

Yes i read the full article which is why i mentioned the interview where the team are already working to try to manage suspicion as nobody on TV editions we get have suggested anything iffy but the magazines are already stoking the fires such as the article you linked

[weeksy]

His last lead out man could do it himself. Superb win.

Morkov funnily enough raced against Cav and Wiggins in an indoor race me and Crust went to see, I watch the 6 days series when it's on and he's very good in them at sprinting. If he gets a chance he'd arguably win the odd race, but not as many as the top boys

[MingtheMerciless]

Bloody awesome win and he's a very humble winner.

[Hairybiker84]

He won't be caught by testing during the race as he won't be taking anything they are testing for. He'll be reaping the benefits from doping during training.
Did you read the article I linked? It explains some of the dubious things about last year's TDF.
https://forum.cyclingnews.com/threads/t ... ?view=date - a discussion about him and his beyond belief performances.
I really cannot see how anyone can be that much better than his peers by ethical means, that's the crux of it.

Yes i read the full article which is why i mentioned the interview where the team are already working to try to manage suspicion as nobody on TV editions we get have suggested anything iffy but the magazines are already stoking the fires such as the article you linked

I suspect they are under strict instructions not to speculate. If he is that willing to clear his name he should submit himself to independent medical examination - can't see that happening.

[rusty]

He won't be caught by testing during the race as he won't be taking anything they are testing for. He'll be reaping the benefits from doping during training.
Did you read the article I linked? It explains some of the dubious things about last year's TDF.
https://forum.cyclingnews.com/threads/t ... ?view=date - a discussion about him and his beyond belief performances.
I really cannot see how anyone can be that much better than his peers by ethical means, that's the crux of it.

You're seriously linking to the Cycling News Clinic forum?
The cycling forum where everyone's a self proclaimed expert on human and sports physiology?
The one where they think everyone who's ever got a podium in a bike race is doping?

[MingtheMerciless]

A few small hills today, hopefully Cav can get dragged round in time.

[Hairybiker84]

He won't be caught by testing during the race as he won't be taking anything they are testing for. He'll be reaping the benefits from doping during training.
Did you read the article I linked? It explains some of the dubious things about last year's TDF.
https://forum.cyclingnews.com/threads/t ... ?view=date - a discussion about him and his beyond belief performances.
I really cannot see how anyone can be that much better than his peers by ethical means, that's the crux of it.

You're seriously linking to the Cycling News Clinic forum?
The cycling forum where everyone's a self proclaimed expert on human and sports physiology?
The one where they think everyone who's ever got a podium in a bike race is doping?

Nothing constructive to add then?

[weeksy]

Mont Ventoux today... TWICE !!!!

[weeksy]

What a performance from WvA

That is just remarkable isn't it. He almost had that sprint, then to destroy the whole field today on a mountain stage, well, just astounding.

Cavendish should be ok to remain inside the cut off and keeps him in the race for green

[weeksy]

Well i guess the thought on everyones mind watching/reading today is "can Cav make 34 wins..."



It's the obvious question and i guess the obvious answer of "possibly". There's certainly no reason he can't yet....so it'll be a long afternoon for him and the team of chasing down breaks i guess. The big problem may be, how much help they will or won't get in that.

[weeksy]