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Astana in Tour de France?
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| CrueTrue |
Posted on 16-05-2008 17:32
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Well, this story will sound very unreliable and very untrue, and I doubt that it's true too, but anyway: Fanta is a member of a Danish cycling forum. He's living in Italy and has some sources in the cycling world. When Rasmussen was thrown out of the Tour, he knew about it way before. When Rasmussen came forward and admitted that he hadn't been in Mexico, he knew about it and had said he would hold a press conference way before any media knew about it. Therefore, he's a rather 'trusted' guy at the forum, and that's why I'm bringing this rumour forward.
A lot of us has been wondering why Astana was suddenly invited to the Giro d'Italia. According to Fanta and his sources, this is a part of a major political game - and that it has nothing to do with "sportive levels" or anti-doping policies. Since 1998, the Italian company ITALCementi has been building factories in Kazakhstan, and Kazakhstan has become a very important source for them. However, Kazakhstan started pressuring ITALCementi, who for some reason has an influence on politicians and RCS Sport -- they wanted Astana in, and now they are there.
Tour de France? According to this Fanta-guy, the Kazakh government has put heavy pressure on the French government to let Astana in. If they don't they will reduce the gas export to France. He says that France from political side has accepted this and are now pressuring ASO to let them in.
Does Contador know? Well, after all, he did say he'd maybe leave the Giro after the first time trial.
True? I doubt it. But it's a thought  |
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| Deadpool |
Posted on 16-05-2008 17:35
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Who knows, but it really exemplifies how big cycling is if national economics are being considered when it comes to cycling. Its funny how everyone in the U.S. consideres it a dead sport |
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| robert_psv |
Posted on 16-05-2008 17:49
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Damn Astana, if this is true, they wont have any chanced on winning anyway imo, Contador Levi Klöden, all have a program made for NOT riding the Tour, so there's no way they will be at their best in tdf
Team Champion manager
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| KurtinSC |
Posted on 16-05-2008 17:56
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Well of course it's big in other countries. Soccer is big in other coutries as well (or football if you prefer).
In the US people care very little. They really didn't care when Lemond was good either. They cared with Lance (after his 3rd or 4th tour win). They sort of payed attention with Landis... then when he was stripped nobody cared again (outside an extremely small percentage of enthusiasts like those of us who post here).
While it isn't dead as a US sport... it's WAY down the list. Its below socccer. it's below track and field. It's even below the majority of sports that have youth participation like swimming. It's extremely marginal here... but with a large population who's at an economic level where the majority are not worrying about survival every day... that's enough to produce a fair number of decent riders. |
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| Smoothie |
Posted on 16-05-2008 18:09
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Thats deep. I not too sure, and its bit of a crazy though (im still learning  ) Is its a mild case of black mail? |
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| mrlol |
Posted on 16-05-2008 18:13
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I believe this could be possible. I mean, why would RSC invite Astana in the last week? And I dont thrust Kazachstan at all, nor Russia where Putin is still leader but now he doesnt have to visit ceremonies anymore. |
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| Xavier |
Posted on 16-05-2008 18:17
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I wonder if vino will try to go to the olympics  |
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| Crommy |
Posted on 16-05-2008 18:20
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I vaguely remember that the Kazakh people never knew about Vino doping.
He is a national hero, as is this team, of course Kazakhstan wants there cycling team in the Tour de France - and given it is a dictatorship (well, it's very undemocratic there), they want to prove to the world how great they are 
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 24-11-2024 02:41
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| Guido Mukk |
Posted on 16-05-2008 18:22
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Well ...political pressure this one realy sucks..and I hate astana even more. I undertsand Giro..they have no principals and seems like money and prominent talk event.
But now I am first time at 100% Amaury sport supporter..dont let Russia-Kasahstan oil effect your principals..they are dirty bastards and choosing dirty ways to get what they want. Good it makes me sick..after that rumor. |
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| Xavier |
Posted on 16-05-2008 18:23
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after he tested positive they had him on telly over there in kazachstan with the prime minister declaring how vino never doped and how it was a complot from the french vs kazaks its beyond words |
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| Deadpool |
Posted on 16-05-2008 18:24
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Smoothie wrote:
Thats deep. I not too sure, and its bit of a crazy though (im still learning ) Is its a mild case of black mail?
nice to have you back |
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| wackojackohighcliffe |
Posted on 16-05-2008 18:24
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Smoothie wrote:
Thats deep. I not too sure, and its bit of a crazy though (im still learning ) Is its a mild case of black mail?
a mild case, you are learning
its very illegal
but also kind of unstoppable if its true
ASO and the tour could have some issues if this is true and they say no to the french government
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| Levi4life |
Posted on 16-05-2008 18:24
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Again it is only a rumor.
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| Guido Mukk |
Posted on 16-05-2008 18:36
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...and for leipheimer fans. i dont hate the guy..he is just on the wrong team. If even 10% about that rumor is thrue..then you must understand me. |
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| ruben |
Posted on 16-05-2008 18:56
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robert_psv wrote:
Damn Astana, if this is true, they wont have any chanced on winning anyway imo, Contador Levi Klöden, all have a program made for NOT riding the Tour, so there's no way they will be at their best in tdf Nah, it doesn't work that way with Astana.
Bruyneel has magic tools to get all his riders in shape whenever he wants. It's the USP/Discovery system |
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| chuckie |
Posted on 16-05-2008 19:01
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Ruben wrote:
robert_psv wrote:
Damn Astana, if this is true, they wont have any chanced on winning anyway imo, Contador Levi Klöden, all have a program made for NOT riding the Tour, so there's no way they will be at their best in tdf Nah, it doesn't work that way with Astana.
Bruyneel has magic tools to get all his riders in shape whenever he wants. It's the USP/Discovery system
Nothing a few bloods bags can't handle!
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| Rinhoth |
Posted on 16-05-2008 19:06
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If the French Government decides that they want Astana in, what can ASO do? the government could simply refuse to stop traffic or something like that. they would never do it, but it could be a possibility that they put pressure on ASO by threatening to do so, or something else. |
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| issoisso |
Posted on 16-05-2008 19:33
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Crommy wrote:
I vaguely remember that the Kazakh people never knew about Vino doping.
He is a national hero, as is this team, of course Kazakhstan wants there cycling team in the Tour de France - and given it is a dictatorship (well, it's very undemocratic there), they want to prove to the world how great they are
They eventually found out. The (government-controlled) news all over the country spend most of the time saying that "it's a plot because europeans hate kazakhstanis".
The preceding post is ISSO 9001 certified
"I love him, I think he's great. He's transformed the sport in so many ways. Every person in cycling has benefitted from Lance Armstrong, perhaps not financially but in some sense" - Bradley Wiggins on Lance Armstrong
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| alex153 |
Posted on 16-05-2008 19:35
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The sad thing if all this is true.....I wouldn't be surprised |
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| issoisso |
Posted on 16-05-2008 19:38
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alex153 wrote:
The sad thing if all this is true.....I wouldn't be surprised
it's in no way beneath the kazakhstani government.
The preceding post is ISSO 9001 certified
"I love him, I think he's great. He's transformed the sport in so many ways. Every person in cycling has benefitted from Lance Armstrong, perhaps not financially but in some sense" - Bradley Wiggins on Lance Armstrong
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