David Millar - Comeback in 2006

[David Lombari]

I think, as Paul Kimmage discovered, that morals don't pay the bills. Not that I'm endorsing it but if you know so many are using something and earning more money because of it, wouldn't you be tempted? I guess the average pro has a 10 year career at best, for each Sean Kelly you'll have a hundred lower level riders facing a uncertain future when they finally have to go back into the job market, so they have to try to earn as much as they can in that time. That's a lot of pressure to deal with. Add to that pressure from your sponsor, via the DS, to get results.

Anyway, where does cheating begin? Oxygen tents, having the resources to get a helicopter down from a mountain-top finish.....whilst not as sinister, both of these offer the potential to get the extra 1%.

And Glenn, thanks for thinking of me.

Regards, Alfie Bloggs.

[the muur]

Yeah, motor racing has always been tough on rule breakers, which is where I got the term 'unfair advantage' from when ' Brabham developed their 'fan car' (I think?). It wasn't against any rules at the time, but was seen as rule bender if you wish. But the 'rule breakers' in cycling or ANY OTHER SPORT, where it is just as prevailent and maybe more so (they're not all as open as cycling) are a bit different to rule breakers in motor racing. breaking rules in building a car are a little more obvious, surely? No matter how intricate it ever gets to build a racing car, it will never ever be as inticate as the human body. Scrutiniers can strip a car down ro find any infringements, measure, weigh them, whatever, but finding performance enhancing drugs in someones body is a bit more difficult. Short of putting the whole peleton in a hospital every 2 months at 4 hours each rider for a complete check-up, you can only really ever catch the odd few. ANd don't forget, the chemists are working overtime developing drugs (through medicine) that will enhance performance 2 years down the line.

[the muur]

Alfie, no offence. Hows the flat? You still in Sydenham? Come on you Spurs!

[David Lombari]

Yeah, still there. Not seen you in ages, though.And on the subject of Spurs, if I did start taking EPO, would I then be Alfie Conn?

[the muur]

We have a house in Spain now where I've spent some time (renting it out now for a while to some golfers to get some wonga back). By the way, riding your bike in mainland Spain is like taking a ride on a NASCAR track.....while the race is on!

I'd have done a deal with the devil to play like Alfie Conn.

[Mike Runner]

For those of you who doubt how widespread the use of drugs is, there's an interesting thread over on Cycling Forums by a guy who was a good US amatuer looking for a pro contract. Here he confesses to using EPO and says that there are loads and loads of other US amateurs who use it too.
Check out the thread here:

http://www.cyclingforums.com/t270701-.html

Rob, like you, I have often wondered about the UK scene and whether any Elites have or do dabble in the stuff.

[Rob]

too slow its gone

[the muur]

but if someone offers me something and it guarantees that ill make my goal of being a pro and reach some of the pro tours, and therefore not end up in a dead end job, as a nobody, and a failure to myself, and a dissapointment to my family for being a nobody and not doing anything amazing with my life...well i wouldnt need to think about it for a second!!


Mmmmmm, so you want to be a big hitter, but not really bothered how you achieve it Rob? I understand your point and I've met and known many like you. I'm not having a pop at you either, but don't you think you have a bit of 'Candice in Corronation Street' syndrome? What price fame, any fame? As for seeing yourself as a dissapointment to your family should you not become a top end pro, I think you'd be better off laying on a couch with a guy in round spectacles and a little ghotie beard asking you questions!

Do you think your parents would find it 'amazing' that you took drugs to become a success to them (in your eyes) and cheated? You better hope Keith Butler ain't reading your trhreads..............

Thats as weak an argument as Simoni's saying the cocaine was in sweats sent from his granny in Columbia, mind you, he got away with it as well!

[stevefunkster]

mr muur, is that what simoni said? what a boy, talking of simoni has saeco changed names or what has happened?

[David Lombari]

Steve,
Saeco withdrew sponsorship. Lampre-Caffita have now become joint sponsors (excuse the pun!) but Simoni will leave to join up with Ferretti (Fassa boss) next season. Some say the new team could be sponsored by IKEA.

[Rob]

too slow its gone

[the muur]

Not as good as one Domingo Perrurina, a Spaniard, who said that the excess of 'testoserone in his body, when caught for doping was due to him training in the mountains and eating lots of beef. A UCI Doctor said that he waould have to have eaten a side of beef every day for 1 year to have gained the amounted testoserone.

He got off..............................................

To think all those Fassa riders left because they thought old Ferretti wouldn't come up with a sponsor! IKEA? Will they have to put their own bikes togethet at the start of a race? And will they go all wobbly after a short while?

[the muur]

Rob, I sincerely hope you achieve your goals and I wish you all the very best along the way, wether it be with or without chemical assistance, but whatever hieght you reach, it will never be real to any anybody reading your threads. No matter what you ever say if you got caught (because nobody gets gaught for taking it the first time), it will never quite wash that you did it because you are better than the other guys.

Don't forget too that once you are convicted of taking drugs in sporting competition in France, Italy, Belgium, Spain and Germany, you have a criminal record and though you might return to racing a year later, the record will still be there should you wnat to become involved in any coaching or the like.

I aslo doubt that your views would be too welcome on the fitfor.com website, a business dedicated to people achieving goals in sport through legal means, do you?

Someone being given enough rope springs to mind.................

[Rob]

my views wouldnt be welcome on fit for, hence why they arent there!!!

you welcome everyones view, then put me down for having one!!

if anyone thinks that any rider in the pro tour is not on drugs, your dillusional!!!

its not possible, and if you dont like the fact that its reality, stick to your addiscombe club run, where lifes all dandy!

ive been warned by pm from someone to stop speaking before someone holds it against me, so i will..
if you ever want a signed shirt of when i do make it, just ask...no hard feelings

[David Lombari]

Had an accident in early August and was laid up for a while. Hope to go out on the bike tomorrow for the first time in two months. I've managed to keep my figure though!!