kumazan wrote:
Yup, after Spain, now the UK is offically the most suspicious cycling nation in the world, congrats. I'd pass you the torch, but you know, we're almost bankrupt, so all I can give you is a match. Enjoy!

Aquarius wrote:
Lance Armstrong, is that you ? Have turned British now ?

wackojackohighcliffe wrote:


Sorry, but ex-Soviets and shifty-looking foreigners dope - not plucky Brits. We try hard and we're the only ones who aren't too lazy to train. It's just some naughty individuals (forget David Millar - he admitted it, without anybody holding a gun to his back or anything) who ruin it for the rest of us, the good guys, the plucky Brits. And remember, innocent 'til proven guilty.

Aquarius wrote:
Lance Armstrong, is that you ? Have turned British now ?

wackojackohighcliffe wrote:


Don't get me started on the French...




That is by the way, pretty much the exact view of the average person I talk to in Britain. Far from everyone but if we're taking the modal. Remember, you lot are just jealous haterzzzz.

Aquarius wrote:
Virenque didn't use those arguments at all.
He knew every one knew, and every involved person had testified against him, so it was just a game of not saying it, rather than not admitting it.
That's how he famously offended French grammar, with statements such as "As off the day of today, I think I might have been doped without the knowledge of my good will", etc.
He never used the "I train harder" excuse or "my opponents are lazy" or "my opponents are from cheating countries".

wackojackohighcliffe wrote:
I wasn't referring to him at all, just how the French are generally scoundrels.

That said, I wasn't around at the time. Did many fans in France still support him while he was barely even trying to refute it?

Wilier wrote:
I think the main reason why GB and is the best country in track cycling is because they simply invest more into this sport than other countries.

valverde321 wrote:
cycling is fast becoming one of the more popular sports here and it is shown by the young riders who are starting to reach the top of the sport.

Aquarius wrote:

The whole thing was rather mediated, given its importance. It was rather ridiculous, as all his team mates, staff members, etc. had admitted that besides Bassons, all riders in the team were heavily doping. So, there was no point, except for avoiding a suspension, for Virenque to deny.

During his denial stage, he got mocked by almost everybody. Then feelings were rather mixed when he started racing again (1999).
Eventually he was suspended, which cycling fans found logical, but belated.
After he came back, there were mixed feelings once again. The crowds generally cheered for him and really liked him, while cycling fans were rather considering him as a doper. To most he was a nice guy (he is), who did what everybody did (it wasn't true, but almost), and had to pay for it, when all his rivals could keep on going without any problem (at the time - sooner or later they'd almost all get caught).

Nobody with any common sense tried to bend facts pretending he never doped. Those who defended it rather defended him on a philosophical or moral viewpoint.

Aquarius wrote:
Bassons was genuinely talented, and certainly he'd have had another career in other times.
Still, there's always been something odd (wrong) with his behaviour, or personality. I couldn't describe what exactly.
I haven't read his book, so I can't tell you what it's worth, but that should definitely enlighten you on the "dark side" of pro cycling.