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Best tech piece on Vital...ever?

mic drop.

What should the governing body do? Not be fucking morons and use this as an opportunity to introduce reality into the system. They know damn well Maes wasn't cheating. And they know damn well he wasn't masking his blood. Yet they're STILL imposing penalty. That's a penalty that's supposed to discourage cheating which they already know he was not doing. That's a flaw in the system that they need to remedy. Chucking Mae's season down the drain over it is bullshit. It's really simple..... event doctor's note. Not your personal Ferrari doc, an independent one. No one can predict injuries...

Wow. Poor Martin. Can't the EWS just overrule? They should... Why can't common sense prevail?

The banned substance was administered by volunteer doctors at the NZ Enduro, two weeks prior to the first EWS in Rotorua. This has nothing to do with the EWS or their staff. The doctors admit to trying to check but were unable. It's not a newly banned substance and has been on the list since the 80's so maybe they should have known, but I would assume the list is long and to remember them all would be asking a bit much.

What a pile of BS! Failed first round antibiotics, pus coming out of the wound, treated as indicated for the second round, and he gets a suspension for it. Not all that surprising from UCI, its not like its a road event in Europe or anything. EWS says sorry, out of our hands?!? Cmon guys, you're not looking good right now...

So what the hell is a rider meant to do if they get hurt at EWS this weekend? What if they are in a really bad way and need urgent help, are they responsible for getting a TUE, submitted and approved before being given the help the could be considered life threatening? Are they meant to be considered coherent enough at all times to scroll through the list of banned substances to double check a doctors work at the time of injury and probably intense pain? Absolutely mind blowing stupidity on the UCIs part

Anyone who equates this to the Rude/Graves situation is, well, wrong.

If you're talking Seinfeld, you should be talking Klein. I'm unclear why a TUE wasn't granted in Maes's case. That seems silly given the process they followed. The UCI has been backdating TUEs to suit their agenda for decades, and this actually seemed like a valid exemption. Then again, it's a widely known masking agent.

Martin Maes Suspended... WTF

So you mean his whole adult life? Pretty much starting around the age of 12 and having the nickname manchild before he was old enough to drive? That long, huh? Or are you just making up a judgment and accusing him of taking steroids and growth hormones to fit your "opinion"

Deleted previous post. Graves basically posted on "another" media site that in fact it was his water bottle that he gave to Richie. He didn't overtly say it, but he did say "I took banned substances and here is how it happened". I'm back to being sympathetic to the situation. I could see this actually happening, despite how much my bullshitometer went off when I first read it. I do think Graves and Richie should have jointly released something, that would have made this a lot more believable. In the end, I really appreciate Graves' willingness to say "my bad"...

Amaury Pierron won the world cup DH series last year on a commencal 29er.

Tribalism? Huh? You are typing a lot without saying much of anything besides calling out my character somehow? Yes, I made this thread, yes, I think if you read what I write I'm consistent with what I'm saying and utilizing objectiveness and rationality to back it up. What is that point? For the bazillionth time I think longer bikes will be better for guys looking to go fast with rear centers that are more in proportion. That. That was my point. I cited a few examples, though yes they are anecdotal. I also cited a few other sports, though I...