The Culture of Cycling, and Doping

Submitted by adammyerson on Tue, 07/28/2009 - 10:49

This is, without question, the most insightful and well-written article I have ever read on culture of the sport, the difference between Americans and Europeans, and the motivations for doping. I've never seen it summarized so succinctly and accurately as I understand it:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/the_bonus/07/07/tour/index.html

To have it come from Sports Illustrated is even more surprising. Thanks to Kirt Fitzpatrick for passing it along.

 

Comments

Submitted by Paul Warloski (not verified) on Wed, 07/29/2009 - 20:53.
Adam, I agree this is an excellent analysis of cycling cultures in Europe and the U.S. But as an outspoken critic of doping, what do you think about its conclusions, which seem to be doping is as much a part of cycling in Europe as training. You've been around a long time, including, if I remember right, a stint in Europe. This week, there was a story on NPR about baseball writers, who vote for Hall of Famers, not wanting to create a committee to discuss doping. One writer called it the elephant in the room. And cycling has the same elephant. I confess I'm waiting to hear which cyclist(s) will get popped on this Tour.