Concentrating mainly but not exclusively on the Loire's vineyards, its vignerons and their wines along with places to eat and stay. Also covers some recently published wine books – not just from Loire. Regional Chair for Loire @Decanter's World Wine Awards since its inception.
Winner of the 2009 Wine Blog Trophy (journalist category) Salon des Vins de Loire. I have a large and expanding library of photos, particularly from the Loire – places, producers, vineyards etc. European.
Pages
▼
Friday, 24 August 2012
Lance Armstrong stops fight against USADA doping charges
Lance Armstrong has ceased to fight the doping charges brought by the USADA but maintains his innocence.
I started covering Lance Armstrong in 2004 as he tackled the Vuelta de Murcia road race in preparation for the following Tour de France.
I was astonished to find that stick-thin sportsmen, for they really are, could ride uphill for five hours at motorbike speeds and then tell you it was all down to pasta carbohydrate.
Testicular cancer had robbed Armstrong's body of normal testosterone levels, so he was able to regulate this for medical purposes.
One can easily see how doping could have got out of hand without tripping tests, considering his medical condition.
When people finishing 10th were being busted for doping, you had to ask yourself how those in the lead could possibly be on simple durum wheat products.
The truth is they weren't, all of Armstrong's main rivals were busted at some time or other. Even teammates have acknowledged witnessing the man himself at it.
The most common form of doping used to be what's known as blood packing, using your own red blood cells which have been passed through a centrifuge to eliminate plasma and leave just red blood cells for maximum metabolic oxygen availability. Alberto Contador was busted for this because they could detect traces of the plastic bag his blood cells had been stored in.
As sports go, cycling is one of the most difficult to clean up, I reckon.
I started covering Lance Armstrong in 2004 as he tackled the Vuelta de Murcia road race in preparation for the following Tour de France.
ReplyDeleteI was astonished to find that stick-thin sportsmen, for they really are, could ride uphill for five hours at motorbike speeds and then tell you it was all down to pasta carbohydrate.
Testicular cancer had robbed Armstrong's body of normal testosterone levels, so he was able to regulate this for medical purposes.
One can easily see how doping could have got out of hand without tripping tests, considering his medical condition.
When people finishing 10th were being busted for doping, you had to ask yourself how those in the lead could possibly be on simple durum wheat products.
The truth is they weren't, all of Armstrong's main rivals were busted at some time or other. Even teammates have acknowledged witnessing the man himself at it.
The most common form of doping used to be what's known as blood packing, using your own red blood cells which have been passed through a centrifuge to eliminate plasma and leave just red blood cells for maximum metabolic oxygen availability. Alberto Contador was busted for this because they could detect traces of the plastic bag his blood cells had been stored in.
As sports go, cycling is one of the most difficult to clean up, I reckon.
Harold. I think cycling is much cleaner now than it has been for many years.
ReplyDeleteJust my thoughts on the day the only Armstrong I want to know has died
ReplyDeletehttp://hlalau.skynetblogs.be/archive/2012/08/26/un-armstrong-peut-en-cacher-un-autre.html