TDF Doping Scandals - are they that bad?

trailtrash

OK, I'm new here, and this is also the first year I've really watched the TDF but I've really got in to it, even to the extent of buying a hard drive freeview box so that I don't miss an ITV4 show, but I'm going to go out on a limb and possibly make my stay here short!

There's lots of pulling out of hair, and grinding of teeth, about Vino, Cofidis, Rasmussen and now rumours about Solar. Predictions of the end of the tour, should it be scrapped etc. but I'll be honest - I've loved it! Hear me out:

1) The intrigue of it is exciting. For the non-purist it adds another level to the whole show. 'Vinikourov's failed a doping test?! I don't believe it? I need to log on NOW!!!'

2) I admire the organisers for not backing out of difficult decisions - expelling the pre-race favouite and his team, another team and the yellow jersey in 48 hours. It doesn't get much bigger than that. Compare that to F1 where one team is (allegedly) caught down prontaprint with the plans to its main rivals car and they get . . . um . . . told off a bit?!

3) It's getting more coverage on the news than ever before and no publicity is bad publicity (arguably). When was a Bradley Wiggins press conference last on the news? And how many years in the past have you heard the TDF talked about at your work? If you find yourself defending your sport to people at work take it as an opportnity to sell your sport. There's only one thing worse than being talked about . . .

Right, I've said it. Consider the gauntlet thrown down. Fire away . . .

OffTheBackAdam

I don't normally stoop to personal abuse, but Sir, you are an idiot!

Bronzie

Yes Trailtrash, it's car-crash TV at it's best................like Big Brother on wheels..............but this isn't what I watch cycling for.

It's supposed to be a contest between elite athletes, but unfortunately for at least the last 15 years, it's been a contest between who's doctor has the best "preparation" techniques and which rider is willing to risk the most (in terms of their health, their credibility etc) in order to win.

The only "good" that can come of all this mess is that I hope that riders finally get the message that cheats will get the book thrown at them - but I don't think this will be the last Tour to be mired in a major doping scandal - the rewards and temptation are just too great.

On the flip side, lots of teams are looking for sponsors for next year - how easy do you think it will be to find major companies willing to take a punt on the sport. Chances are that the sponsors will come forward (at least those who believe any publicity is good publicity), but that budgets will be much smaller than at present, and the riders salaries will reflect this.

trailtrash

don't get me wrong - I'm not pro doping, and I'm not pro-cheating (I even dislike 'gamesmanship') but I'm merely putting an alternative view.

I take the point about scaring sponsors off, especially when tv networks pull their entire coverage over a failed test. But would less money in the sport be a bad thing? If you're looking for a purer sport, would a poorer sport hurt that? If the prize money's smaller, is the temptation smaller? If the money's smaller will the entourages be smaller and therefore will the frankenstein wannabes move on to somewhere else?

But I stand by my assertion that if you are talking about your sport at work use it as an 'in'. Promote your sport, because it is YOUR sport. You're not borrowing somethng when the elite pros don't need it, so when you hear someone bad-mouthing the sport educate them.

I ride for fitness and enjoyment and I am still in total awe of anyone who rides in a proper race. Some of the descents on this years tour have seen me sat in front of my tv with a dropped jaw. But the game I play competitively is Bowls (don't ask!) and that hasn't been in the news since the Amarda. Seize the opportunity and sell your sport.

Despite all the controversy the TDF has still encouaged me to go and watch a stage of Tour Of Britain when it comes near me in September, surely I'm not the only one?

('Offthebackadam': Yeah, I've been told that in the past! He he. )

Noodley

I don't need (what was it called earlier in the thread?) car - crash TV to "promote" cycling.

And you don't have to only stay a while just because no-one (so far) has agreed with you...I'd have buggered off a long time ago if that was the case.

Bronzie

OK, I get what you are saying, but in 2 weeks time, your colleagues at work will be back to talking about Big Brother or whatever and the only memory they will retain of the Tour will be of guys busted for cheating.

As you say, make hay while the sun shines and use it as an icebreaker to talk about cycling...............'cos the window of opportunity won't last long.

I went to see the consultant yesterday for a 5-week check on my broken collarbone - conversation went like this:
Consultant "Broke it mountain biking in Wales right?"
Me: "No, road cycling actually"
Consultant: "Oh - like the Tour de France.................but without the drugs.......hahaha"
Me: [cringing] "Yes, something like that"

Frankly, I couldn't be arsed to tell him how wonderful the sport is..............because that's not the way I'm feeling about it at the minute [again].