Holy shit. Vinokourov tested positive for blood-doping, and his team has pulled out of the Tour.
Question: Will hiding in a cavern with stockpiled chocolate goods be any part of this plan?
Xander ,'Get It Done'
Natter 52: Playing with a full deck?
Off-topic discussion. Wanna talk about corsets, duct tape, or physics? This is the place. Detailed discussion of any current-season TV must be whitefonted.
Dana - Jul 24, 2007 8:16:40 am PDT #9699 of 10001
"I'm useless alone." // "We're all useless alone. It's a good thing you're not alone."
Daisy Jane - Jul 24, 2007 8:17:09 am PDT #9700 of 10001
"This bar smells like kerosene and stripper tears."
I just confirmed an interview request with a radio talk show in Chicago, but I think it's national and at least available on the net.
Yay! Getting to hear your voice will be terribly cool!
Allyson - Jul 24, 2007 8:18:14 am PDT #9701 of 10001
Wait, is this real-world child support, where the money goes to buy food for the kids, or MRA fantasyland child support where the women just buy Ferraris and cocaine? -Jessica
Just a few, Tom. I'm going to sign one for the Browncoats giveaway thing, and I promised the publisher I'd drop a copy by a booth where people they know will be.
I'm doing my reading at 3 on Sunday.
Tom Scola - Jul 24, 2007 8:18:16 am PDT #9702 of 10001
Mr. Scola’s wardrobe by Botany 500
You're surprised by all this at this point, Dana?
Dana - Jul 24, 2007 8:19:51 am PDT #9703 of 10001
"I'm useless alone." // "We're all useless alone. It's a good thing you're not alone."
You're surprised by all this at this point, Dana?
The fact that riders who know they'll be tested after winning a stage are still doping? Yeah. Plus, given that Vino will get a two-year ban, and he's something like 33, this will probably end his career.
Lindsey Lohan, I was not so surprised.
Allyson - Jul 24, 2007 8:21:30 am PDT #9704 of 10001
Wait, is this real-world child support, where the money goes to buy food for the kids, or MRA fantasyland child support where the women just buy Ferraris and cocaine? -Jessica
Vortex - Jul 24, 2007 8:22:37 am PDT #9705 of 10001
"Cry havoc and let slip the boobs of war!" -- Miracleman
I'm confused. It seems to be related to a blood transfusion?
It said two distinctive types of red blood cells were found in the A sample and showed that Vinokourov received a blood transfusion from a compatible donor shortly before the time trial.
What's the issue?
Dana - Jul 24, 2007 8:23:37 am PDT #9706 of 10001
"I'm useless alone." // "We're all useless alone. It's a good thing you're not alone."
Blood doping is the practice of illicitly boosting the number of red blood cells (RBCs) in the circulation in order to enhance athletic performance. Because they carry oxygen from the lungs to the muscles, more RBCs in the blood can improve an athlete’s aerobic capacity and stamina.
amych - Jul 24, 2007 8:29:00 am PDT #9707 of 10001
Now let us crush something soft and watch it fountain blood. That is a girlish thing to want to do, yes?
Plus, given that Vino will get a two-year ban, and he's something like 33, this will probably end his career.
He was talking retirement after this season anyway, so that's not as much of an issue -- in fact, I wonder if "this is my last chance to win" played a part in the stupid (I thought the same thing last year with Landis).
It seems to be related to a blood transfusion?
It's called "blood doping", and it used to be pretty much undetectable -- instead of shooting up with hormones or steroids, inject a lot of extra red blood cells to boost your oxygen-carrying capabilities. But then they started testing the actual cells, so nsm undetectable any more.
(Smart idiots dope with their own blood.)
Also, DAMN IT.
eta: I'm surprised that the whole team pulled out, since Klöden was a much more serious contender in the race than Vino at this point. On the one hand, it's totally Vino's team, so it might just be that. On the other, I wonder if they fessed up to organization-wide shenanigans. And of course cycling is really good at off-handedly saying, "oh, yeah, something huge happened last month sometime" so we may never get a proper announcement.
tommyrot - Jul 24, 2007 8:29:43 am PDT #9708 of 10001
Sir, it's not an offence to let your cat eat your bacon. Okay? And we don't arrest cats, I'm very sorry.
(Smart idiots dope with their own blood.)
I was just gonna ask why he didn't do this....