Mechanical Doping: Apparently not a joke....

Post by **sandranian** » Tue Jun 01, 2010 10:55 am

I have to admit, that when I first heard of this, I thought it was a joke. But after seeing Cancellara DESTROY people by just riding away from them during Paris-Roubaix and Tour of Flanders (those "people" being the likes of Tom Boonen!), I thought maybe there was something to this...but it was just so far fetched, that I couldn't believe it.

Thinking back though, there was a french rider on Cancellara's wheel during Paris-Roubaix that was drafting him, then threw up his hands in apparent disgust, as he was summarily dropped. Now I am thinking that the rider was complaining about some extra assistance. Watch the entire video. It is worth it, as they take footage of cancellara doing something with his shifters that isn't "normal"!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Nd13ARu ... r_embedded

nicolas · Post by **nicolas** » Wed Jun 02, 2010 1:52 pm

"that joke isn't funny anymore...it's too close to home and too near the bones..."

Mechanical doping...? Seriously ???

On the other hand, I might need one of these next sunday !

Post by **sandranian** » Wed Jun 02, 2010 2:19 pm

Nice Smith's reference, Nicolas!

Here is the latest...Cancellara changed bikes midway through both the Tour of Flanders and Paris Roubaix. No apparent problem in the pictures of his original bike (in the second change, anyhow).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMFoDWrK ... r_embedded

Wisey · Post by **Wisey** » Wed Jun 02, 2010 10:17 pm

I would swear and curse, but I just don't think I could be bothered anymore...... what next?

nicolas · Post by **nicolas** » Wed Jun 02, 2010 11:42 pm

sandranian wrote:Nice Smith's reference, Nicolas!

So glad you noticed it !

Anyway... Here goes the last bit of credibility pro cycling had in the public eye... No matter what's next, damage is done.

I remember FC's intreview right after the Roubaix finish. When asked about the change of bikes, I remember him not answering. Well, something else to make our man, Mr. 60%, Bjarne Riis proud.

I also remember this : when he first won PR, FC was disappointed that his mechanic had washed his bike after the race. He wanted to keep it dirty. What did he do with this one ? Lend it to his wife so that she can go pick up the groceries ???

There is a part of my brain that can't believe all of this is true. How could you embrace your wife and kid in tears after such a stunt ? And the ceremony in the last Km with the golden angel ? That would be manipulation.

Post by **sandranian** » Thu Jun 03, 2010 3:47 am

Well...remember: This is all just an allegation at this point. Truly too fantastic to be believed. But then you know what Goebbels said: "the bigger the lie, the more believable it is."

nicolas · Post by **nicolas** » Thu Jun 03, 2010 7:41 am

Wow... Goebbels and Morrissey in the same topic... Are we still on a cycling geeks forum ?

Wisey · Post by **Wisey** » Thu Jun 03, 2010 1:56 pm

Cycling geeks? I thought we were the resistance..........

Post by **sandranian** » Thu Jun 03, 2010 2:46 pm

The Cancellara/Mechanical Doping issue just hit the mainstream: the Drudge Report picked it up off the Associated Press:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100603/ap_ ... l_doping_1

vanhelmont · Post by **vanhelmont** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 8:16 pm

They're scanning the bikes for motors.
http://www.current-movie-reviews.com/sp ... -his-bike/

With a carbon frame it should be pretty hard to hide anything not kosher. Now if he goes back to steel, maybe he can.

Cancellara always looks motorized in a time trial. If his ability is due to cheating, he has been doing it for a while. I doubt he is relying on battery power.

scozim · Post by **scozim** » Tue Jul 06, 2010 8:31 am

I had to chuckle today when Cancellara was leading the chase group after the crashes on the cobbles and Paul Sherwin said Cancellara would need to need to fire up the batteries to pull Schleck away from the other GC contenders.