It is midpoint of the 2008 Tour de France and we have just witnessed the 3rd expulsion from this years race.  This comes in the form of another EPO offender, Riccardo Ricco who joins the notorious list including: Manuel Beltran and Duenas Nevado.

Honorably, Saunier Duval-Scott (Ricco's team) has pulled the remainder of their team out of the race.  But is it really honorable?  Couldn't we just as easily assume that those riders who did not get caught took the bait on Ricco's behalf and lobbied to back out and save their own arse from not only a suspension but possibly a career ending move? 

The simple fact is, war has many casualties and many times its the innocent who take the hits of shrapnel.  The self aggrandizing acts by a washed up late 30 something rider (Beltran) to the brash outspoken egotists (Ricco), lay dust in the faces of not only their fellow teammates, but to all other races, riders, organizers, families, careers, sponsors...do we go on?

Is anyone really going to believe that the person standing up on that podium next Sunday is truly the best rider in the field or just lucky enough not to get caught amongst his peers.  Deep down do you think that person will be asking themselves that same question too.  Whether guilty or not, its sure to weigh on its contenders as if its a scarlet letter worn, if nothing else than by mere association.

So I continue to ask myself, why do I watch this Tour de Horribles?  What seductive powers does this seemingly hopeless festival of freaks offer the every day observer.  In the end, I guess the bigger questions is, who's the bigger dope?

Leave a Reply