Friday, March 29, 2024
HomeNuggetsThe VV View: If You're Right, You're Right

The VV View: If You’re Right, You’re Right

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‘If you’re right, you’re right,’ said Malcolm X.

However, sometimes it’s hard to be right.

Despite the fact that I think the UCI are doing a less than brilliant job, I think cycling is right to try to eradicate the pills, potions, transfusions and suppositories that blight it.

And it’s hard to be a cycling fan; if you’re serious about the sport you’re obliged to garner knowledge about subjects that would be unthinkable in any other sport — blood profiles, transfusions, plasticers, EPO, CERA, masking agents, growth hormones, supplement contamination, NESP and all the rest.

It makes you cynical, but after those Gap advert shots of Tyler in his button down shirt sitting with Haven and the late Tugboat, no one can blame us.

I have friends and acquaintances that delight in phoning or texting me when ‘the next cycling drugs scandal’ hit the press — that’ll be today, then.

If You're Right
Last year’s u23 Paris Roubiax podium: Fabien Taillefer, who admitted doping today, is on winner Taylor Phinney’s left, with Belgium’s Jens Debusschere on his right.

But what amazes me is their naivety about their own sports.

If You're Right
With perfect timing, footballer Kolo Toure fails a test for an unannounced substance. The most amazing part of this is that a footballer actually got tested at all, since hardly any blood or EPO tests get done in pro football.

Golfers say; ‘why would you need drugs to play golf?’

When you respond with; ‘see when a golfer whacks that wee ball with a dirty big club; wouldn’t it be good if he could hit it a bit harder, build some big muscles on his shoulders and back?

And when he’s on that last green with a million dollars resting on a putt, wouldn’t a wee pill to calm the heart rate be helpful?’

They give you the ‘golfers would never do that’ look.

If You're Right
Think Tiger has built these guns just for looking good in the bars?

But here’s what veteran golfer Gary Player had to say; “one guy told me – and I took an oath prior to him telling me – but he told me what he did and I could see this massive change in him.

And somebody else told me something I also promised I wouldn’t tell, that verified others had done it.”

Player also revealed he had himself rejected offers from doctors to take Human Growth Hormone (HGH).

“Every doctor I go to, without fail, says ‘Gary, you must take HGH’,” he explained.

“He said it will make you stronger, your skin will be thicker because your skin starts to get scaly, your hair is stronger, your complexion will be better, and you’ll be suppler.

He said you’ll start hitting the ball 20 to 30 yards further.”

Dave Meek follows rugby and sent me an article which Brendan Gallagher wrote for the Daily Telegraph online; I’ve précised it a little:

‘Springboks Bjorn Basson and Chiliboy Ralepelle have been let off and totally absolved of all blame by the South African Rugby Union after testing positive for the banned stimulant methylhexaneamine last autumn.

The Boks duo tested positive because the methylhexaneamine was present in supplements given to them before the Ireland game, a supplement approved by the Springbok management and used with some regularity over the last couple of seasons.

So that’s all right then.

If You're Right
Chiliboy Ralepelle.

Disregarding the question as to exactly why a player would need a supplement so close to any game, the SARU Disciplinary committee argue that their players cannot in anyway be held responsible for the accidental appearance in their bodies of the banned drug.

The soothing words of SARU chief executive Jurie Roux are worth repeating and will infuriate many;

“This verdict completely quashes any idea that either the players or the team were guilty of any attempt to cheat.

“No responsibility attaches to the players at all.

“The banned stimulant was in a supplement given to the players in a warm-up before the Test against Ireland and is a product that has been used by the Springboks before without any adverse analytical findings.

“I am most sorry that the players have had to endure the stress and stigma attached to a failed dope test.

“Hopefully this verdict will have laid to rest any idea of any wrongdoing on their part.”

Rugby union which always rejects claims that the sport has any sort of drug culture has failed to act or even acknowledge a potential problem.

The rules are supposed to be black and white; ‘if it’s in your system, it’s your problem,’ it took the finest legal brains in Spain, friends in high places and a 600 page report by experts to get Contador off the hook, but with a decision which continues to puzzle all but the staunchest ‘Bert’ fans.

Meanwhile, Tom Zirbel and Alessandro Colo continue to serve out suspensions for offences with similar or lesser culpability than Contador’s.

If You're Right
Simon Mensing had to endure a four week ban.

What sparked this rant was reading that ‘Angry Accies back player’ headline in The Scotsman regarding the issue of the suspension of Hamilton midfielder Simon Mensing who served a four week suspension for failing a random drug test.

‘The player maintains he was unaware he had ingested the substance (good old methylhexaneamine) while using a dietary supplement.’

I’ll spare you the specifics but there are statements dripping with righteous indignation from the player and the club chairman.

I know nothing of Mr. Mensing, and he may well be a ‘victim;’ but I do know that if he was a cyclist he’d be looking at a two year ban under the ‘strict liability’ that is supposed to apply to all sportsmen about what they ingest, under the WADA rules.

Unless he could afford a 600 page report, that is.

But the things that strike me about both the rugby and football case are; what were they taking, what’s to stop the next man having the same problem and where’s the scientific evidence to support their being cleared?

If the supplement is a dud then shouldn’t the supplier be sued, or at least told to look closely at their products?

It’s hard to be a cycling fan but it must be worse to be a golf, rugby or football fan; having all that sand in your ears from keeping your head permanently buried.

Ed Hood
Ed Hood
Ed's been involved in cycling for over 50 years. In that time he's been a successful time triallist, a team manager and a sponsor of several teams and clubs. He's also a respected and successful coach and during the winter months was often working in the cabins at the Six Days for some of the world's top riders. Ed remains a massive fan of the sport and couples his extensive contacts with an inexhaustible enthusiasm for the minutiae and the history of our sport. In February 2023 however, our dear friend and beloved colleague Ed suffered a devastating stroke and faces an uncertain future; Ed has lost his ability to speak, to read, and has lost movement on the right side of his body. He's working with speech and physical therapists on rehabilitation, but all strokes are different and each patient responds differently, so unfortunately recovery is one day at a time. Ed ran his own business installing windows, and will probably not be able to work again. Please consider joining us to make a contribution to Ed's GoFundMe page to help stabilise and secure his future.