- Location
- Hong Kong
Yes - a genuine tragedy. A reminder of the risks the pros take on a daily basis (even if the circumstances sound pretty unique)
"Simply put, bike races are now far more crowded than ever: there are cameramen on motorbikes, photographers on motorbikes, sponsors and VIPs in cars, mechanics on motorbikes, team cars, police motorbikes and sometimes up to 200 riders fighting for road space.
"Cycling is going through a purple patch in terms of participation but the economics of professional cycling remain precarious. Race organisers and teams depend on the exposure they get from television, which means more cameras, closer to the action. Without a compelling TV product, there are no bidding contests to host events, sponsors for teams, shop windows for manufacturers, role models for new fans.
"But without safe conditions to race, there are no riders, there is no sport. Cycling must find its balance."
That's fair Neil but if he is a known asthmatic wouldn't the chemicals have shown up in tests before together with the relevant qualifying documents - unless of course tests are so infrequent that it hasn't been picked up before?Is he not an asthmatic? Should be fairly clear records either way... If he is and regularly takes this but the paperwork was messed up that's a different thing to a sudden need for a performance enhancer...