BREAKING Report: Lance Abandoning Fight vs Doping Charges, TDF Titles Gone

Precisely Azia. Bruyneel was the kingpin. There was no emotional vendeta for anyone. They were simply a cold blooded bureaucracy out to do their job.

Does anyone prefer an anti-doping agency without teeth?

Mr. Deeds, I don't particularly CARE about a poll showing 75% support for the doper. Could not care less what uninformed, duped, hero worshippers think about anything.

Never have.

Mr. Deeds wrote:

Did he dope, probably. However, even those in authority who believe he doped believe this has been a flawed process. Armstrong was smart to avoid arbitration, has he lost his titles, no. USADA must now present their evidence to the UCI in order to have the titles stripped. There is no middle ground for Armstrong, either you love him or you hate him. I think those of you who hate him on this message board need to expand your horizons a bit and look at other message boards for reaction. Being part of these message boards I would say that right now he has 75% of the people in his corner wondering how in America a person can be proven guilty without a proper trial. So once the dust settles, I think at most you will see him lose 2 titles but not all 7.

Pot meet kettle. I think it is you, Mr. Deeds, that needs to expand your horizons and stop reading mainstream message boards about Lance worshipping. How about reading a cycling message board (Clinic at cycling news.com)? If you doesn't want to be proven guilty, go to arbitration. This is not a new process and the arbitration process has been held in courts time and time again. You are buying the Lance BS about a kangaroo court. The process is not flawed. USADA ran their case by the book and Lance has stuck. Again, Armstrong welcomed the USADA investigation just 17 months ago. His long time agent helped write the USADA code. You can't have it both ways and cry that it was unfair.

Of all communities and with T&F's own doping problems, I certainly expected the letsrun crowd to see through the Armstrong BS.

Just pick a different PED for each of the seven years, like this...

1998 -- EPO

1999 -- testosterone

2000 -- modafinil

2001 -- dextroamphetamine

2002 -- hGH

2003 -- clenbuterol

2004 -- "The Clear"

What ever happened until innnocent proven guilty? Is that not the American way? USADA is celebrating a victory at the expense of the taxpayers I might add, without releasing a shred of evidence, merely threatening it. This is McCarthy style bully tactics. Having Obama money backing there was no way Lance could have ever competed. USADA just articifially stripped titles, something they can't to by the way, and drug Lance through the mud to make themselves look like the big bad boys on the block. They wanted to one up the UCI and others. I am not saying Lance is innocent, I am saying this is a mockery of the American way of doing things. I am saddened that justice cannot be served since a PR stunt takes precident. These are the moments were I am ashamed to be called American.

VN: Were you satisfied with evidence that you had amassed, and were you confident in your case?

TT: Absolutely. We never would have brought a case if we were not extremely confident in the level of evidence. And the truth – at the end of the day, our job is to search for truth and justice, to expose the full truth and ensure, to the best of our ability, perfect justice.

VN: Are you surprised by what happened, that this didn’t go to arbitration?

TT: No, I think it was our expectation from the beginning. He knows all the evidence as well and he knows the truth, and so the smarter move on his part is to attempt to hide behind baseless accusations of process. It is pretty telling because the federal court was crystal clear on Monday that our process meets constitutional due process, and that is the appropriate forum for the evidence to be presented and all the arguments to be made.

VN: It was said before that the likely sanctions would be a lifetime ban and the loss of seven Tour titles – will that be the case?

TT: Yes…the charges were not contested, so what automatically goes into place will be a lifetime ban from any participation from any sport which recognises the WADA Code and disqualification from all results, including ant Tour de France victories, any other victories and placings beginning August 1st 1998 to the present.

VN: Armstrong’s lawyers have said in a letter to USADA that USADA can’t impose these sanctions, and have threatened legal action if they go through. Do you have any concerns about that?

TT: No, they have already taken legal action and the federal judge told them we do have authority and our process is the process where those complaints can be made. It is kind of funny that they walking away from a process, but are threatening to attempt to go back to somewhere else to fight. It is a little ironic but, no…it means nothing.

http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/12...-stripped.aspx

Tor,

Let me know where I was wrong about message boards. This one is courtesy of Bicycle.com:

TBTBTB

Fri, 2012-08-24 12:03

Apology

I believe Trek owes Greg LeMond a public apology. Trek supported Lance even though they knew he was probably guilty and publicly dissed Greg. Greed trumped right...shame on Trek.

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DanBrown1215

Fri, 2012-08-24 11:58

USADA's authority??

Can someone explain to me how the USADA can strip LA of his titles for an event that is under the jurisdiction to the UCI and the TDF? At the best, can't they just make a recommendation to strip him of his titles based on a witch hunt, at which point they would have to prove to the UCI that all of the testing they have done on LA were meaningless? I always thought that in this country you were innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. To me, 500 plus clean tests would be considered "reasonable".

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John Thiel

Fri, 2012-08-24 11:56

Bicycling and the New York Times, Irresponsible Journalism

Both Bicycling and the New York Times featured headlines which said Lance Armstrong would lose his seven Tour de France titles. That is grossly incorrect. The USADA can request that this be done, but they have no power to do so. It is up to the UCI and the governing body of the Tour de France to make that decision or not. And seeing as they haven't done so already, it's highly unlikely to ever happen. What's the damage of Lance Armstrong not continuing to defend these allegations? Nothing. Go ahead, ban him for life--he's retired you nitwits! Why don't you just ban me from having sex with college girls while you're at it--at 44 and married. Lance Armstrong's record of seven consecutive Tour de France wins stands in tact, and nobody really gives a crap when the USADA tries to bully international bodies into bending to their unilateral and out of bounds decision. The last time I checked, the USADA was not in Europe or have international authority.

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John Thiel

Fri, 2012-08-24 11:47

Confessions of a Doper

I confess. I take non-prescription Claritin D for mild hayfever before my rides, and I consume way more caffeine than any human being should. I even put Extra Dark French Roast coffee in one of my water bottles to be consumed while riding, nearly every tour in addition to the 16oz travel mug full I drink in the car on the way to the start. Both these drugs enhance my performance in literally everything exponentially. Furthermore, I've been doping like this on every bike tour over the past twenty years. Therefore, I surrender the t-shirts I received for participation in all these events. CEO of the USADA, Travis Tygart ( Tel: (719) 785-2000 E-mail:

ttygart@usada.org

) can come collect them at his earliest convenience.

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mshriver

Fri, 2012-08-24 11:06

Guilty until proven innocent?

You can contact the CEO of the USADA here: Travis Tygart, CEO Tel: (719) 785-2000 E-mail:

ttygart@usada.org

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speck404

Fri, 2012-08-24 10:23

Good for him

I'm sad to see Lance immediately stripped of all his career statistics, especially the Tour wins. But, I say good for him because I at least think I understand his desire to simply move on in life. The fight against LA has definitely gone to extreme and ridiculous lengths - although most anti-doping/anti-steroid charges brought against big name athletes in this country do (I mean, baseball players in Congressional hearings! - it's ludicrous), so it doesn't surprise me that 8 years after his last Tour win he's still battling charges from one body or the next. Honestly, as with most people I don't really care whether he did or didn't. The reality is that he gained those Tour victories on what was most likely a level playing field. So to simply strip him of the wins is kind of crazy.

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Bicycling Jim

Fri, 2012-08-24 10:31

Still a hero

Lance, you are still a hero. Travis Tygart can go suck dingell Berries off a dead trolls ass.

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Phil328

Fri, 2012-08-24 11:24

Yup!

That would be hard considering how far Tygarts head is up Lances and the media's ass

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Bicycling Jim

Fri, 2012-08-24 10:27

Travis Tygart

Travis Tygart, go suck dingell Berries off a dead trolls ass.

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zatarregaza

Fri, 2012-08-24 09:50

I'm done

Who cared about this years TdF? Since Armstrong left I've not cared for the sport. The media tries to add intrigue and drama to a sport that has grown boring with drug scandals being the only points of interest. I wish I knew how the USADA played into all this. I was fine acknowledging Lance probably did dope - of course they all did and still do - but to strip him of his titles? As of tomorrow the only US-born Tour winner will be Greg Lemonde. Who in the US is going to bring the sport notoriety here? I'm done. My subscription with Bicycling.com ends soon and it won't be renewed. I just don't care anymore. I ride for myself and could care less about this stuff anymore.

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Valerie Chanoux

Fri, 2012-08-24 10:04

Sad Indeed

It is a very sad day for professional cycling. If, indeed, in Lance's heart and soul he knows that he is innocent, then I commend him for letting this go and focusing on what is really important; his family and his Foundation. He will always have his Tour wins and other professional success. On the other hand, if he, in is heart and soul knows that he did cheat, then it is sad indeed. It is a slap in the face of the profession, teammates and to his supporters. As a fan of the sport, watching a professional race will only be the equivalent of watching a "professional" wrestling match. However, I will always be a supporter of the LiveStrong Foundation and what Lance has done for the battle against cancer.

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schulzepd

Fri, 2012-08-24 09:47

Tragedy Revisited

Regardless of what happens, Lance is one of the greatest cyclist who rode a bike. The whole process of handling charges needs to be carefully examined. This type of procedure is kin to the inquisition of centuries ago. How many of us think victims back then had a fair shake? Lance should retain his titles and if they want to put an asterisk next to his name, so be it. Let history be his judge.

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Phil328

Fri, 2012-08-24 09:47

Sad Sad Day

This is a tax-payer funded witch-hunt plain and simple. Since I'm a tax-payer I would like NONE of my hard earned cash going towards the witch-hunt to bring down someone who did so much for cycling and people all over. Everywhere you turn and see Travis Tygarts name the title says he "rose to media prominance by accusing Lance Armstrong of doping". He is just trying to make a name for himself and get his name and the USADA in the media. He wants to be known as "The man that took down Lance Armstrong" Also, I think there should be a limit regarding how many times an athlete could be investigated/tried. He already had a federal criminal investigation and was found not guilty. Then some scumbag decides to waste OUR money and go after him again. If you were accused of murder and you go to trial and are found not guilty then you are NOT GUILTY and that's it. How can Lance keep going through this over an over again. It's like there's a line of people waiting to go after him. I really hope he isn't stripped of his achievements so they could be handed down to the convicted and admitted REAL dopers.

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gilkeson

Fri, 2012-08-24 09:30

Witch Hunt

It seems clear that the USADA is pursuing this to the bitter end to bolster its status. Bottom line is he never, never tested positive. Lance personally changed the landscape of professional cycling. Not with drugs but with tenacity and obsesive attention to training. USADA has a hollow victory. Lance is a champion in my mind for much much more than just standing on a podium.

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Summarex

Fri, 2012-08-24 09:09

Tygart, the government and the USADA

I think Tygart deserves a bullet through his head for this. But there's a more general and far more threatening problem. Congress has been empowering a lot of these cause driven fanatics, even to the point of giving them police powers over all of us. The USADA is only one example, and perhaps not even the worst one. Congress has to re-examine it's own methods and purpose, before creating these scoundrels and unleashing them on unsuspecting people.

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Son of a son of...

Fri, 2012-08-24 08:26

Big steaming pile of ...

This is 100% crap ... were does the USADA get off on saying that "This is a heartbreaking example of how the win-at-all-costs culture of sport" ??? ... Isn't Travis Tygart essentially saying "Lance cheated" & now he's gonna pay for it ??? ... but wait a tic ... were was the trial ... were is the evidence ??? were is "full disclosure" ... I SO agree with a previous posting - "innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt" - wow - I bet the fore fathers of the US are rolling in their graves as they see the Constitution perverted & twisted in examples like this ... Ride on Lance ... I know I will ...

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Gep

Fri, 2012-08-24 08:54

Armstrong has chosen not to

were was the trial ... were is the evidence ??? were is "full disclosure" Armstrong has chosen not to have a hearing. He does not want the evidence made public. If it is made public - he loses. His rights to a hearing are clearly defined in Articles 7, 8, 9 and 10 of the WADA code, and USADA has followed the letter and spirit of the rules governing sport at every step of the process. He can have a public hearing and if he is not happy with it he can appeal result to the CAS.

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RonBird

Fri, 2012-08-24 08:29

Ugh

Good for Lance...this will officially be over. The USADA is saying that all the tests and such they have conducted over the years really dont mean anything, or at least dont hold the same weight as taking the word over jilted ex-teammates who in fact did test positive. cyclists have always been on the cutting edge of doing things to their bodies to recover and perform better, when it became an issue they ruled these things illegal. even the so called "clean" athletes do things to their body that the average public would think is crazy. The USADA can claim victory, pat their backs, think they did positive for the sport...but nothing will take away what Lance actually did. He is the greatest cyclist of all time. He had his faults, but the one that USADA claims is far down my list of concerns. Great ride yesterday Jens, cycling will live on and i will continue to be a fan.

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hicadence

Fri, 2012-08-24 08:23

,,,,,,Kool Aid down the drain

Do some of you guys need to go on suicide watch?

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Gep

Fri, 2012-08-24 08:20

Trying To Save Some Face

If Armstrong wanted a hearing to contest the charges he could easily have had one - he has chosen not to, and then called it unconstitutional that he hasn't had the opportunity of a fair process. This course of action allows Armstrong to avoid having a mountain of evidence proving his guilt from being made public. This way he can simply continue to claim his innocence and cast aspersions against anyone who questions it. This was his only course of action that could have prevented the public hearing that he needed to avoid in order to save his reputation among those who were still believing him.

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Abest Bicycles

Fri, 2012-08-24 02:37

This stinks

Ask Tygart if he's talking about his posse when he's saying "This is a heartbreaking example of how the win-at-all-costs culture of sport, if left unchecked, will overtake fair, safe and honest competition," Then the idiot goes on "but for clean athletes, it is a reassuring reminder that there is hope for future generations to compete on a level playing field without the use of performance-enhancing drugs." Well you tell that turd, talk to the NZ shotputter...denied of her gold medal in the Olympics...if she's not the future generation Tygart your that dead end turd to stick your level playing field up your stinking dead ass

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nmitchell1185

Fri, 2012-08-24 01:05

So apparrently the US part of

So apparrently the US part of USADA just states where they are located not the legal rights they have. Last time I checked part of being an American citizen on U.S. soil was that you were innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, not guilty until you can prove yourself innocent. This is a perfect example of why cycling will never take off in the U.S.

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Smithaca

Fri, 2012-08-24 08:49

rights

First, cycling has taken off in the USA - mostly due to LA. Not like Europe maybe, but it has taken off. Second, LA has chosen not to appeal, he was not coerced into making that choice. He knows that there is so much evidence and testimony against him that it would be fruitless to continue. To continue would end up putting him in the same category as Landis and Hamilton. This way, he leaves room for doubt. Third, we are not talking about the US justice system here, we're talking about a ruling handed down by an organization - kind of like being kicked out of a club - albeit on a much higher level - not being sent to jail. Totally different standards of proof. I don't think that anyone, pro- or anti- LA is very happy with what's going on. Lance is not all bad, nor all good. Like the rest of us. Don't open that closet door, a skeleton might fall out.

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Gep

Fri, 2012-08-24 07:22

Actually, his rights are

Actually, his rights are clearly written here, in Articles 7, 8, 9 and 10:

http://www.wada-ama.org/Documents/World_Anti-Doping_Program/WADP-The-Cod

...

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bikeethan

Fri, 2012-08-24 08:47

Rights?

Very sad day for cycling. Here is his right and what he is up against, "This standard of proof in all cases is greater than a mere balance of probability but less than proof beyond a reasonable doubt." He gets an "impartial panel"...this is laughable. I would say that is simply wrong. I am happy that for most things in life I cannot be convicted without a reasonable doubt. As someone who has been in court a few times and watched people lie to save their necks, this is really sad. In a large part, the biggest blow will be to professional cycling, especially in the United States. I know that my enthusiasm is gone...and I doubt I will care about the Tour de France ever again.

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wascallywobert,

Innocent until proven guilty? Your post was surely made in jest. Well, maybe not. You're one of the 75% percenters we spoke about.

First of all, believe you are referring to criminal proceedings. You may note note this is not one. And how can USADA prove anything now that Armstrong has voluntarily given up his rights. Lance is the one who waived any rights of cross-examination or other legal protections. Lance, by caving, is acting like a guilty person who weighed his future PR options and chose the best of the worst.

Oh, and wascally, the USADA is kinda the big-boys on the block. They don't have to appear that way, they already are.

You Lance haters are pitiful in your single minded hatred. If you want so called clean cycling, why not strip Lephimer, one of the dirty 10 of his Tour of Cal titles, and Hincapie another one of the dirty 10, of his miraculous mountain stage Tour win? How about Vaughters being allowed to mentor riders as a team manager, another one of the dirty 10? Because you are hypocrites.

Lance beat cancer with Chemo and EPO with less than a 50% chance of survial after spreading to his brain; Amazing

Lance beat drug users at the Tour with or without EPO; Amazing

Amazing is like infinity there is nothing greater.

You lance haters are pitiful. Pitiful is like absolute zero, nothing is colder and lower.

wascally, please expand on your curious statement about "Obama money" being part of something here. Does President Obama have a vendetta against Lance as well? Is it because Obama hates America and would like to see more Kenyans win champtionships?

Sorry, using Bicycle.com is the equivalent of using RunnersWorld.com for an accurate reflection of elite track & field.

I'm not arguing that Lance still has the majority of Americans fooled, but give it time. Heck, the pendulum as been slowly swinging away from Lance during the past year. Many have now gone from denial to acceptance ("everyone was doing it"), but today is going to give the pendulum a nice little push.

Lance created an incredible myth and people are struggling with the reality. If this was a French cyclist being busted, do you think the comments on Bicycle.com would be in the support? Not a chance.

Ha Ha, that is funning Bobby 1

However, he does have a point. My contention is if USADA is for a clean sport then anyone who has admitted to doping, i.e., Vaughters, Leipheimer, Landis, etc., should all receive lifetime bans just as they have chosen to bank Armstrong. To have separate penalties is what has made this a total farce.

Bobby, its always so easy to call people who question the legitimacy of "heros" as HATERS. Such a total cop out.

I prefer honesty, humility and people not building an empire based upon a fraud. Yes, I do hate the fact that people accumulate power, fame and money in this way.

It is amazing that Lance beat cancer. Thats a really great thing.

I assume and hope the Leipheimer, Hincapie, Vaughters, and others will also be stripped of results, as well as receiving bans.

Does that make me a Lance-hater? of a fan of clean sport?

Oh, the bicycling.com posts just prove there are a lot of people out there who are capable of parroting the carefully crafted statements of the Dopestrong PR machine.

"He's guilty as hell."

I believe you are right, and have for several years now. Of course, those "respected" colleagues, teammate, coaches, etc are also quilty as hell. I doubt there is a single rider in the TDF who is dope free.

That does not mean Lance should get away with it. He should get his due, but now they'll give his TDF win to just another doper who has not been caught yet (or was not caught at that time).

It's not hatred. It's simply the desire for clean sport. The apologists are pitiful in your blind support. I don't remember this kind of outrage when USADA ruled against Jones, Slaney, little Eddy. Where were you then?

I'm all for busting the cheaters, but if you ever want to really make a difference with doping in sport, you go after the biggest fish. You send a message that a conspiracy of doping won't be tolerated regardless of when it happened. Everyone thinks this is just about Lance, but 4 others have also been charged and others may follow.

Lance probably got cancer from PED use.

blort and Mr. Obvious,

If they have the evidence and done the work, 'm all for further USADA actions against anyone and everyone on Postal Service/RadioShack or any other team for that matter.

A good point to remember is that we didn't "waste any taxpayer money" in the lawsuit in Judge Sparks courtroom, since Lance was ordered to pay all of USADA's costs.

Guilty not guilty I really don't give a rat's ass. Just make sure that everyone involved with this gets equal treatment.

Regarding Bicycle.com being comparable to Runnersworld.com, I agree, however that is where the everyday Joe goes to read about the sport. There are few of us who visit cycling.com, velonews.com, etc., so no I don't think the pendalum will swing back the other way. In fact, this was a huge PR move by Armstrong which I think will only help him.