by higg » Thu Jul 26, 2007 2:54 pm
[quote]Ive just seen the french and german teams instigated a start line strike this morning as a statement against dopecheats. Boonen was the first one to break it
I know their intentions are good but I must admit the whole sit down at the start thing is a bit inconsequential, it sends out a mixed message, what/who are they protesting against ? It's like somebody calling a strike at the factory and setting up the picket line 5 mins after work starts and then returning to work after a token 10mins.
An alternative would be, picket 5 yards short of the finish line and and cross the finish line en masse 5 mins after the time limit has elapsed. That way (at least some of) the dopers will have to cross the picket line to protect their GC position. It also sends the message that the riders are willing to forego GC classification much the same way that a factory worker feels strongly enough to forego wages. At the end of the race the result sheet would make it obvious who was in and who was out, show that to the sponsors.
ASO can't really eliminate them and it raises a much more direct message that they don't want to be seen "competing" with people who cheat.
I must admit there's a few flaws in this plan like I haven't quite figured out how they get to the finish line before the dopers. Maybe it could be done at the final time trial.