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more of the Armstrong files

(More links added 12/10 22:30) Back in August I posted a series of links in relation to Lance Armstrong crying 'no more' in the battle against doping allegations. It's time to add a few more:

The evidence - over 1000 pages from the USADA

Might take you a while to get through that!

Witness statement from USADA Chief Science Officer

Explaining a lot of the science in drug tests and how they can only ever be part of an investigation, not the only source of proof.

Michael Ashenden interview - why I believe there is no doubt he took EPO in 1999

The Ashenden one is a fascinating insight into how it could be done. Bring in a new tax ruling and crafty accountants will find a way to exploit it. Introduce a new rule in F1 and the teams will push as close as they possibly can to bend that rule into any old shape until they are told they are breaking it. Why would it be any different with systematic doping of athletes? If the procedures and what they can test for are well documented, then surely the bad guys' next task is finding the weaknesses in those rules and exploiting them? It certainly explains why Armstrong could be tested so many times without a named positive, and why his team's tactics changed once they knew that EPO tests were being introduced. It also explains why all of the BALCO athletes - Marion Jones et al - never failed a test.

AIS professor triggered red alert on Armstrong blood cells

It's not just about detecting the drug, it's also about detecting the side effects.

Kimmage selecting legal defence backing as ‘energised’ journalist prepares for UCI court action

The Irish anti-doping journalist being sued by the UCI now has an incredibly strong case to support him, and support is flowing in from the public to back him in his legal fight against this corrupt and incompetent sporting body.

And finally, if you are wondering how some of the nutcases in US politics are so popular, try reading some of the comments to this New York Times article about how Armstrong and his team were able to beat the testers so easily...

How Lance Armstrong Beat Cycling's Drug Tests

The life and times of EPO - how it started and why it became so popular.
A Drug to Quicken the Blood

How Armstrong intimidated anyone who might threaten his corrupt rule of the world of cycling:

Simeoni: "Armstrong and past still haunt me"

The story of Scott Mercier - the young rider who walked out on the US Postal team because he wasn't prepared to dope.

Lance Armstrong case creates an unlikely hero

Johan Bruyneel, a man still in denial, gets the flick from the Radio Shack Nissan team when lead rider Fabian Cancellara says he can't ride for someone so crooked.

RadioShack Nissan team confirms Bruyneel’s time as general manager has ended

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