Category Archives: Doping

Team Sky zero tolerance policy or how not to address reality

Posted on 21 October 2012 by Alex Murray

Team Sky has never had an active zero tolerance policy, Team Sky has always had a zero tolerance policy on doping. Team Sky would like you to know from their statement that “Team Sky has had a clear position on … Continue reading →

Posted in Doping | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

So who does BMC Soigneur Sven Schoutteten know?

Posted on 30 June 2011 by Alex Murray

View “So who does BMC Soigneur Sven Schoutteten knows?” on Storify

Posted in Doping, Professional, Tour de France | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Gerard Vroomen hits the mark with Contador and Schleck, but misses Riis

Posted on 7 June 2011 by Alex Murray

Since getting shuffled out as CEO of Cervelo, Gerard Vroomen seems to have become a lot more outspoken about the top tier of cycle sport. This section in an interview with Cyclingnews, about the tipping point in the relationship between … Continue reading →

Posted in Doping, Professional | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Giro 2011: It’s all about Alberto Contador, except when it isn’t

Posted on 29 May 2011 by Alex Murray

Contador has been the dominant force in the race for the Maglia Rosa in the Giro d’Italia 2011, no doubt about it. But comparing it to all the other Grand Tours he has won reveals a more interesting story. Take … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberto Contador, Doping, Giro D'Italia, Professional | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Strange coincidences in the world of anti-doping

Posted on 17 May 2011 by Alex Murray

First, last week there was a report from EU Athletes on the relative success of Wada’s anti-doping effort described in the press release thus: “The report, ‘Adverse Analyzing’, raises serious questions about the foundation of evidence behind current anti doping … Continue reading →

Posted in Doping | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Grand Illusion: doping has changed

Posted on 20 April 2011 by Alex Murray

This is part of a series of posts on what I think are illusions that have grown up over the years around cycling. For further reading, you can do no better than read the section in Roland Barthes Mythologies and … Continue reading →

Posted in Doping, The Grand Illusion | Tagged | Leave a comment

Say adios to steak-frites Alberto Contador

Posted on 15 February 2011 by Alex Murray

(Photo by Sifu Renka on Flickr, used under Creative Commons licence) There are few culinary delights in this world which can match the pleasure of steak-frites done properly. It’s the great constant of French cuisine that you can order anywhere … Continue reading →

Posted in Doping, Professional | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

An open letter to professional riders on the subject of speaking out about doping

Posted on 12 February 2011 by Alex Murray

Dear riders, Some of you have been remarkably outspoken on the fate of one of your number, forcefully damning one idiot. Sadly you seem to equally reticent to condemn another, well, idiot. I’m sure you don’t need me to put … Continue reading →

Posted in Doping, Professional | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

How Paul Kimmage changed the game of cycling journalism

Posted on 11 February 2011 by Alex Murray

In 1990, Paul Kimmage stuck his head above the parapet and published his account of his time as a professional cyclist, Rough Ride. It changed cycling journalism. In 2011, Kimmage once again changed cycling journalism in a fundamental way. Except … Continue reading →

Posted in Doping, Journalism | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

We’re back in 2008 as Ricco faces failure

Posted on 8 February 2011 by Alex Murray

Here’s a meme I prepared earlier: Riccardo Ricco Epic Fail. A lot earlier. Like July 2008 earlier. Then I wrote of the hubris of Riccardo Ricco. I stand by what I said then “Don’t bother searching for culprits in systematic doping, … Continue reading →

Posted in Doping, Professional | Tagged , | Leave a comment