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@jimmy Who is talking about giving a pass ? We're talking about staying put and measured as long as we don't have all the facts and the sentences from governing bodies. I can see two opposite points of view in the above (here with a touch of caricature) : - first the "burn these motherfu****** cheaters in hell with armstrong and all ! " - second "wait a second, this might be an accident so let's give them benefit of the doubt for now" (or a free pass, cause you know ) Now let's take a look at...

Of all the nails on this board, you hit a good one right on the head... I have been around for long enough to know better than to stick my hand in the fire for anybody... Some of us apparently haven't seen as much in their time...

Good post...and good point in bringing up the fact Richie won that race. I think one thing I keep failing to articulate is the fact I *do* believe sanctions should be imposed. I just don't think it'd be fair to ruin either one of these guys as a result of something like this - for all the reasons I've pointed out. So yeah, we should add, "taking that EWS win away from Richie" to the list of things imposed. I know, doesn't mean much now, but it should still be the case as you are right, we can't be sure...

Referencing Jeff's comments in his latest post about "It hasn't been explicitly explained to the racers how this works, and to assume a bunch of mountain bike riders, most of whom never competed in an Olympic sport, are going to go check all their supplements or whatever is silly. It won't happen." I'm pleased that you have such a positive take on this, however, Jared was an Olympian; Richie isn't dumb about this stuff either. Everyone who is in the sport as an athlete is very very aware of this stuff in this day and age, even if the average...

Its not well defined to me. Not for something with "World Series" in the title. If I read that I'd go "Yeah, I'm not taking steroids or EPO...I'm not on any stimulant" and go on my way. It hasn't been explicitly explained to the racers how this works, and to assume a bunch of mountain bike riders, most of whom never competed in an Olympic sport, are going to go check all their supplements or whatever is silly. It won't happen. Sorry but the rule book needs to explain what specific standard they are to adhere to. Where they can...

Seems even WADA disagrees with you there. Both of these are listed as specified substances. This is to recognize the possiblity of a substance to enter an athletes body inadvertenly, and therefore allow a tribunal more flexibility when making a sanctioning decision. EG: not all doping is equal. Am I the only one who sees the world as shades of grey? Lol. If nothing else, this is an interesting thought experiment in judgement. Some people are far more black and white than others. I've noticed this in other situations like this, most notably the #metoo movement, whereby everyone named was...

Just to wrap up my thoughts here - My $0.02 on how to handle this. Graves and Rude both need sanctions brought forth. It shouldn't be "career ruining" but it should be a stern "we take this sort of thing seriously" type of thing with some concessions regarding the lack of clarity around doping. Either way, they both should serve a ban from racing for a relatively short period of time. Anything less sends a soft message. Most importantly, the EWS needs to get their shit together and very closely define their anti doping measures, protocols and process. It should...

Huh? Stars? Nothing matters? How is that at all analogous to me suggesting performance enhancing drugs are more varied in their nature than you are suggesting. Again, you keep saying the EWS rules are clear. They aren't. http://www.enduroworldseries.com/ews-general/ews-rule-book/#_Toc5075851… Outside of the race in France (which was tested under the French anti-doping policy) there isn't consistent structured PED testing at the EWS carried out to one specific protocol. Its not clear if they'll test in competition? Out of competition? Just the top riders? Random riders? What list is being tested against? How do you submit for a TUE? Where can an...

Hilarious all the 'outrage' expressed by some of the people commenting. In their head they're probably picturing Jared and Richie getting out their blood bags at every liaison and shooting up with Super Soldier Serum before the start of every stage.

Please explain then, why caffeine is allowed? It has been shown to improve performance and is a drug... How about a supplement such as magnesium. Again, proven to improve performance, and in this case is a "supplement". There are hundreds of compounds that could be considered "performance enhancing". Some have been allowed and will continue to be allowed. Some were allowed, now are not allowed. Some were never allowed. Its not as straight forward as you are making it out to be. Again, you keep arguing why I shouldn't rationalize my take all the while doing very little to rationalize...

Please articulate this one... First off, I'm not saying the testing wasn't real, I'm saying supplements such as these fall more in a grey area than EPO. EG - I could order them online right now, or go to a health food store and likely find something with them in it - and buy it without a license or a doctor on US soil. Sorry, but that's not the same as a pharmaceutical. Second, I'm suggesting doping is very vaguely defined in enduro. The EWS itself has only a few hundred words in the rule book (at the end) on...

No it wouldn't be. You can damage careers by sharing unofficial info of this kind. You better be sure as hell when sharing unconfirmed doping info, regardless if it's true or not.

But wait, I thought EWS doesnt allow ANY cheaters? #sarcasm

Welcome to the club, we have T-shirts in the corner

or money... pretty sure its money.

What sense would it make? Commencal already has a team and they've put quite some effort building it. It's a team of younger people that already is pretty accomplished. Does anyone think money just floats around? The Athertons will obviously go to whom needs an image boost and values associating their image with them and I think they bring quite a lot to the table. And I also believe they are pretty good with product development too, which can't be everybody's thing. Some people like to give Gee shit for not being likable in their sense of perception (as if...