Looks as if Lance Armstrong will lose it all

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by mtrunner

The entire USDA process is a witch hunt and is completely unfair. There is really no way for an athlete to prove themselves innocent. He really had no options and if he did go into arbitration with the USDA all evidence would be out in the open including several other riders testifying against Lance. Many of these riders are well respected in the peleton.

It is also absolutely ridiculous he received a lifetime ban. Rider after rider has been caught and almost all riders get a 2 year ban on their first offense. Why would Lance receive a lifetime ban? And why would the USDA give the riders who would testify against him 6 month bans? The process is beyond flawed. The entire process is ridiculous and athletes need more rights when they enter into arbitration. There is too much on the line and the system is currently set up to prove your innocence when the USDA should have to prove guilt!

Having said that I still think Lance doped. The only consolation is the rest of the riders around him were doping as well. A majority of the peleton in the 90s and early 00s were using performance enhancing drugs. And testing means nothing. Athletes have surrounded themselves with good doctors who know how to circumvent the testing process. Numerous athletes have doped for years and passed numerous tests before finally making a mistake and getting caught.

Gary, you summed up my opinion perfectly and I agree with everything you said 100% I'm just too much of a Dorklehead to express it clearly enough. Thanks,