Revelations about the past of Mauro Gianetti, Pogacar’s Manager (Radio France Investigation, Translation in post)

At the Het Volk (Het Niuesblad these days) race in Belgium in 1993 (or 94? memory not what it was!) we picked up 2 riders who had packed because of the cold. One was Thiery Marie the TT specialist and the other was Mauro. At the time we were happy to do this and got along fine with the pro's. Thiery gave me his bidon as a thank you, I still have it. A Festina one. Perhaps I should have asked them if there was anything else they would have been happy to pass on.....................................

I remember being told by the father of a young British hopeful racing in Europe back in the late 80s, maybe early 90s, that his son gave up all hope of moving into the pro ranks when it was made plain to him that even at top amateur level doping was in effect compulsory.

Rapparee87 said:

If it's good enough for Walsh, it's good enough for me.

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You've said this before. I am curious why you place such binary faith in Walsh. Fine work on LA then a 'nothing to see here' position on Sky (both parties employed by the same paymaster). Kimmage absolutely went to town on Walsh after that. I can understand Walsh's position underwrites the faith needed to keep 'believing in miracles' but as you as you say, its his 'belief'. He is just as capable of having a belief thats wrong as...well anybody.

daccordimark said:

I remember being told by the father of a young British hopeful racing in Europe back in the late 80s, maybe early 90s, that his son gave up all hope of moving into the pro ranks when it was made plain to him that even at top amateur level doping was in effect compulsory.

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Les West turned down an offer top ride for Bic pro team BITD because he was told that a percentage of his pay would be taken to provide for 'preparation' - and we all know what that meant.........................

Nothing new, but it's nice to see it all in one place. The one thing I'll say about Poga and Pantani is at least they don't sound like they are/were a sociopath like Lance.

Unfortunately it's the "true" believers of the lie of the "Supermen" on bicycle's pushing themselves beyond us mere humans that allow doping to continue. Well, that and the money... If everyone said "nope not going to support it in any way shape or form till there's meaningful reform and zero tolerance" and didn't buy the team kit or show up to the races, nothing will change.

For anyone naive enough to believe Poga is clean, I gotta bridge in Brooklyn for sale real cheap...

Well maybe I'm naive, but innocent till proven guilty should be always the norm IMO. Especially when these accusation are a reflection on the past protagonists. I don't care about Pantani or Lance, or what happened in 1980s or in even 2003 - Pogacar was still in nappies then, so to accuse him of wrongdoing, do provide some evidence of today and not dragging the mud of yesterday forward. As per 'the leading French team, well they are not leading are they and what are they going to do about it aside complaining to get better?

Del Toro, Ayuso, even that young Frch kid Seixas and other new gen coming through, will they be marred by the same accusations when they start winning? We should celebrate the exceptional talent like those other sports fans do when a dominant figure arises, like those in athletics for an example.

As for 'my wife told me' ....well she is married to a retro bikes collector/rider, that should've gave us her true state of mind, no?

It cetainly feels like a pointless discourse, if someone is clean or not. Fans afford huge chunks of benefit of the doubt to underwrite belief in their heroes. Cynics have a right to be and there is plenty also to prove them right. I think religion is b0ll0ck3 but does that mean I should remind those that believe that I think they're wasting their time at every opportunity? Pog isn't doing me any harm.

I think it was Hugh Laurie who recently said something to the effect of 'theres lots of things in the world that could cause an argument but you should save all your energy to take on the really heinous people in positions of power.' I thought that was a pretty smart mantra.

LondonClassic said:

It cetainly feels like a pointless discourse, if someone is clean or not. Fans afford huge chunks of benefit of the doubt to underwrite belief in their heroes. Cynics have a right to be and there is plenty also to prove them right. I think religion is b0ll0ck3 but does that mean I should remind those that believe that I think they're wasting their time at every opportunity? Pog isn't doing me any harm.

I think it was Hugh Laurie who recently said something to the effect of 'theres lots of things in the world that could cause an argument but you should save all your energy to take on the really heinous people in positions of power.' I thought that was a pretty smart mantra.

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Than what's the point of the Internet? Other than to argue over inane shi-stuff?

Also as an Auti, I can't help but want everyone to play fair and not be a knob.

Nothin-fancy said:

Than what's the point of the Internet?

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You only use the internet to argue with people? You can get groceries with it now you know.

LondonClassic said:

You only use the internet to argue with people? You can get groceries with it now you know.

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I see what you did there...

Took my sarcasm and raised me your two cents.