Gerdemann criticizes Armstrong comeback
Top German cyclist Linus Gerdemann, known for his staunch anti-doping stance, has criticized the return of Lance Armstrong to professional cycling, citing the doping suspicions — all of them unproven — that have dogged the seven-time Tour de France winner.
"This is not positive for the credibility of cycling," said Gerdemann, winner of the Tour of Germany. "But there's nothing anyone can do about it."
Regarded as the rider who could help restore cycling's credibility in Germany, where doping scandals have left it on the scrapheap, the 26-year-old Gerdemann claimed the first mountain stage of the 2007 Tour in his debut but missed this year's race, and the Beijing Olympics, because of a broken leg.
Gerdemann's sentiments echo those of German television chiefs at ARD and ZDF, who have refused to cover the Tour de France next year after a spate of high-profile doping scandals, including positive tests by German riders.
"For us, Armstrong is a piece of the past we don't want to see again," Rolf-Dieter Ganz, head of communications at ARD, told Die Welt newspaper on September 14.
"The future belongs to young riders, certainly not to Armstrong's generation, which we had hoped to have seen the back of."
5 comments:
"The future belongs to young riders, certainly not to Armstrong's generation, which we had hoped to have seen the back of."
HAHAHAHAHA!
Carlos Sastre - 34
Christian Vande Velde - 33
David Miller - 34
Stuart O'Grady - 36
Jens Voigt - 38!
All of these riders are big names in the sport right now, and they are all from "Armstrong's generation"
Boy, if these guys are from that generation, I wonder what generation those 40-50yr old MiSceners are from?
We are so old perhaps we should take up woodworking or gardening?
Is it just me, or is Linus Gerdemann kind of creepy looking? Oh, and Jeannie Longo just turned 50 and is obviously still going strong. So I think the 40-50 yr old contingent of the MIscene might have at least a few more good years in them before falling prey to the horrors of gardening and shuffleboard.
Woodworking, on the other hand, is the hot new hobby among the 18-24 demographic. Hipsters are selling off their fixies and shutter shades in droves to buy chisels and lathes and safety goggles. Overalls and flannel are the fashion statement of the season. I can't believe you didn't know this, Scott. Man, you guys are so out of touch. :)
Hey DMO, are you going to the big CX race at Northampton this weekend?
I'd like to, but my schedule at the moment is kind of crazy and I don't have time. Have fun spectating at Vets. Consider hopping in the masters race too.
Post a Comment