Blood doping is not a new thing...... It was a concept that was used by Americans way back when.
The blood doping in the 1984 Olympics by the Americans can be traced back to a Polish coach that came from the same program as most Russians. America's cyclists flourished under him. [And Greg Lemond still considers him a close friend. ] And it wouldn't be right to say doping was the only reason for America's success, because before this coach appeared there was no direction in American cycling. American cycling could only go up.
When you study blood doping, it was around since the early 70's in endurance sports. The eastern bloc athletes were rumoured to be under systematic doping programs. Blood doping has been with us for years. Think about the time frame when the wall came down and eastern bloc coaches skilled in blood doping flooded Europe and then look at the time frame when the power outouts jumped dramatically....... Just speculation on my part.
But in America, our top coach pushed hard for it's use. He was getting the attention he sought with Lemond's success and others getting recognition.Another person behind this blood doping program was ED Burke, a name most older American cyclists will remember. [America's cycling guru for training advice. Pre-Carmichael] Our USCF board whitewashed this program when discovered. [Similar to UCI ?] Our coach was quoted....
" “Blood doping is legal and should be a personal matter left up to the athlete.”"
I wonder which of his athletes showed a great jump of performance all of a sudden , then moved to Europe and at young age showed the Europeans how to ride the TDF? [Hint .....It wsn't Armstrong. He came later.] And another one at a young age who made the TDF podium and went on to win the Giro. Nothing but speculation here......
Now, just because their coach here in the states believed in blood doping, had a start in a documented systematic blood doping program, and was instrumental in their beginning success does not mean that Lemond and pretty boy Andy had anything to do with it. They told us they were clean.
Like "flyer" used to say...."Connect the dots." So when athletes are connected to doping coaches,consider Lemonds main coach one of the architects of blood doping in the US....... And Lemond was his personal triumph. This coach is considered the "Father of Modern American Cycling."
Also remember that the US was years ahead of Europe when it came to systematic blood doping.
I personally knew the doctor who gave these blood transfusions at the 1984 Olympics. He was a neighbor of mine for a period of time and active with us cyclists in my area.
Now my ex-good neighbor and fellow pack rider has a pedigree in cardiology and cycling doctorism........ His resume is as follows. .......
Team Physician/Consultant
for the Following Teams at Regional and National Events 1996-2005
________________________________________________
U.S. Postal Service Team 1989-present
Your Name Here Triathlon Team 1988-1995
Subaru Montgomery Bicycle Racing Team 1985-1992
Cycles Veloce Bicycle Racing Team 1973-1984
Levi-Raleigh Bicycle Team
After this 1984 blood doping was exposed, and remember it really wasn't illegal at the time in the Olympics or cycling, many within the USCF wanted this stopped. Behind closed doors, deals were cut. Even theough Sports Illustrated and the NY Times did stories on this with documentation , no one paid attention. Doping was a non-issue at the time here in the states. {maybe similar to today]
And now we are in 2007 and heads are starting to roll. And sometimes pictures are rather revealing......
Greg and Eddy B
Eddy B and several eastern bloc riders. Do you think they discussed the vampirism of the old world? The next picture is Eric Zabel, Eddie B and
Jan Ullrich at Eddies house, thanksgiving 2001,
So when you say that "this particular rider is clean, " you need to know his background , his coaches, and why did he suddenly go from a very good rider that leaves the pack behind.