Originally posted by hemplands
There is a very informed article on the Pez Cycling news website entitled Armstrong Vs Pound; words are not enough.
www.pezcyclingnews.com/default.asp?pg=fullstory&id=2061
It is very though provoking as the texts of the letters are in full and it draws some interesting conclusions.
Saucy & Hemplands,
In relation to **** Pound’s comments about doping in the TDF, I read that Armstrong says that he has received a lot of support from the peleton, regarding his (LA’s) reply to Pound.
It is being reported that LA’s reply was issued in order to defend the reputation of cycling.
Indeed.
Let’s face it, Armstrong reply is based more on self preservation than any altruistic feelings which he claims to have toward the peleton.
Armstrong knows that Pound’s comments will be picked up by the transatlantic media
more readily than say, Christophe Basson’s comments.
And in making his reply, Armstrong wants his transatlantic audience to know that the race with which he is most associated with, is, by and large, clean.
What is worrying though is the alleged level of support that LA claims to have received from the rest of the peleton.
Assuming that there is a groundswell of support for LA’s comments, do you not think that this is more worrying, than the actual spat between Pound and Armstrong ?
There is now a window of opportunity where the peleton can make take a definitive stance on the drugs issue – and yet they apparently attack those, like Pound, who question
the integrity of the cycling and TDF in particular.
Given everything we know about the continuous drug scandals that plague our sport,
wouldn’t isn’t now the opportune time for all those allegedly clean cyclists, within the peleton, to support **** Pound’s allegations concerning the sport of cycling ?
Wouldn’t you think that the likes of Brad McGee – who states that he is clean – would take the opportunity to welcome the view of Pound, given that McGee states that everyone knows who the cheats are in the peleton ?
(quote : “. The inner world of cycling knows what goes on and knows who the cheats are and who are not. This I am sure and it is why I fear not in asking for large contracts as not only do I ensure results but I, more importantly, ensure that I will never be involved in a doping scandal.” endquote @ bradmcgee.com).
The moral outrage of Armstrong’s reply to Pound, is matched only by the moral cowardice of those who allegedly support LA in his reply on behalf of the peleton.
Not one cyclist in the peleton has endorsed Pound’s questioning of the authenticity of the TDF peleton.
And finally, what about Armstrong’s reply.
Why did he feel the need to reply to comments made by Pound, over a month ago ?
To borrow a phrase from Shakespeare : “me thinks he protesteth too much” – probably sums up best, my thoughts about LA’s reply to **** Pound.
Armstrong’s corespondents – Verbruggen and LeBlanc – have attempted to row in behind Armstrong’s reply on behalf of the peleton.
It surely cannot help Armstrong’s cause to have these two ethically bankrupt has-beens
on his side ?
Neither of these two dysfunctional autocrats have done anything to try to eradicate the drug culture which permeates cycling.
Verbruggen and LeBlanc’s record is clear – since 1998 more drugs scandals have been
uncovered in that time period, than at any time in the history of cycling.
And before we move on – let me state that the scandals have been uncovered were though the work of the civil authorities in mainland Europe and not by UCI or TDF organizations respectively.
Without the great work of the respective police forces and customs and excise people,
the wider public would be none the wiser to the level of cheating in our sport.
Thus, LeBlanc and Verbruggen’s endorsement of Armstrong’s reply is thoroughly meaningless, given their total abdication in the fight against drugs within cycling.
