Beltran exits stage left

One of Lance's faithful lieutenants has been caught out with EPO. Yes, it's been a while since Lance raced with the guy, and there's no evidence to suggest that Beltran used EPO before this year, but one's mind does wonder at why he should do so now. The obvious answer is to make it a bit easier in the twilight of his career. A career now effectively ended, I suspect.

Dane Bjarne Riis, head of Team CSC-Saxo Bank, looked at the positive side of Manuel Beltrán's "A" sample test result which resulted in the dismissal of the "scandalous" Spaniard from the Tour de France. He said the sport's anti-doping controls were working. "It is bad for cycling, without saying it is a 'scandal' – he is the 'scandal,'" said Riis to Cyclingnews the morning after Beltrán was asked to leave the Tour de France for his positive Erythropoietin (EPO) test. "The controls work. The system works. Those who don't understand, like him, have to leave." The classification rider of Team Liquigas was caught in a French anti-doping agency (AFLD) control following stage one that led to a positive EPO result. All the Tour de France controls are being carried out by the AFLD, which is different than in past years when handled by the International Cycling Union (UCI).

Of course Riis is right, and the kerfuffle has already died down. Let's hope that's it for Le Tour and Le Dope Scandal this year.