Velogal's Blog

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Following up on yesterday’s posting here, now it is official that Ivan and CSC are ending his contract - leaving Ivan to choose his team for 2007. Was sounding like his choice would be between Discovery Channel and Milram. In terms of having the best staff support, team support and equipment, as well as directeurs sportif and best people to handle the media frenzies, I think DC is the obvious choice.

However, Milram would have put Ivan on a home team, and might have provided a lot more opportunities for Ivan to be with his family. But the latest is that now Milram says their roster for 2007 is full, and they are no longer talking contract with Ivan. It’s looking like Ivan’s wise choice will be Discovery, and he may be meeting with Johan very soon.... Go Ivan!

And, I hear that the Spanish Cycling Federation is going to close all disciplinary proceedings against riders involved in Operation Open Mouth for lack of evidence, exonerating Ivan and the others. Recall the investigating judge’s statement last week saying that no evidence collected by the Guardia Civil can be used by sporting federations to impose sanctions. The investigation of Eufemiano Fuentes continues, though, and we’ll see if any real evidence surfaces... However, Patrick McQuaid, UCI prez, seems to still want to go after all the named riders...

I’m hoping to see Ivan at Discovery training camp. Wonder if he will talk tattoo (Go Ivan) with me again.... Would be cool to be cheering for Ivan in a Discovery kit at the 2007 Tour....

4 Comments:

  • It seems that a lot of riders' reputations were tarnished/ruined for nothing...what a shame.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, At 11:10 AM  

  • Debby,
    Boy, I agree with your comment. Frankly I'm stunned that in the sport of cycling in particular, you are guilty, period. Doesn't seem to matter to those who should care, that whoever makes the claim doesn't have supporting evidence. And the damage to a cyclist reputation can't be undone. Ivan will now be tarnished period. Very unfortunate. I'll still root for him, I'm just hoping he's been working on his time trial skills! JoAnn

    By Anonymous Anonymous, At 1:39 PM  

  • Yeah, clearly all those bags of blood and drugs and videotapes of riders entering the building were just not enough evidence... yet... Don't go celebrating about your drug-free sport just yet. The wheels of justice turn slowly, but hopefully they continue to turn and the dopers will get put in thier place. It makes me sick as a clean rider to see all the "fans" loudly rejoicing about this "exoneration".

    By Anonymous Anonymous, At 4:50 PM  

  • Dear Clean Rider,
    Sorry you misunderstood my comment. I agree with you that dopers need to be taken out of the sport, but I'd like to see that happen in a court of law, not in the media. You seem all to willing to convict first, and ask questions later which in my view is unfortunate, and dangerous for all cyclists. I'm willing to root for him or any cyclist until he is proven guilty. No one is rejoicing! For the record the cyclist I root for the most is Jens Voight. JoAnn

    By Anonymous Anonymous, At 8:55 AM  

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]



<< Home