I wasn't sure what to write, today, given the news of Vinokourov's positive test and the subsequent sadness in some very durable characters, I know. They told me they were sad. I told them I was glad. I am very happy, in fact. Just as when one door closes, another can open, good things can come from this finding. This is not a forum to write about drug use in sports. There are plenty of those, out there. Today, though, I am compelled to write just a little bit, since I have been writing about the Tour every day and it is a rest day. I feel a responsibility to adress some things, given my background and what I've said before (in the first podcast we did for the DeFeet Show, for example).

There have been many occasions where companies have overstepped boundaries in order to market an athlete's successes. It has occurred with bicycle racers, at times, to the degree that I have found it difficult to maintain composure. I am speaking for myself, personally, not DeFeet. DeFeet will never stand in between an athlete and the science and say 'The science has to be wrong, our athlete could never lie'. That is not our place, nor is it the place of any other company in the industry. We don't necessarily banish an athlete who admits to drug use, either. We do not pretend that the problems do not exist. We are committed to transparency. We want to send the right message to young athletes, and we're looking for solidarity on those issues throughout our sports and industries.

I harbor no personal resentment toward Vino. Yesterday I likened him to a chef. I like chefs, but the authorities have found rather disgusting things in his kitchen, now. The system seems to have worked. I am glad, today, because if Vino in fact has to serve his time, it will further shed light on the hard issues that bicycle racing (not cycling) - and sports like bicycle racing - need to deal with. It can also bring more weight onto those that are negatively affecting the sport. Dr. Ferrari and doctors that practice like him, I'm talking to you. Athletes that hire those people, you too. I don't want bike racing where anything goes and nothing is illegal. I don't want bike racing where a mafia-like group with the most money in their coffers controls things. I am a fan of the human spirit aspect of all forms of cycling, and I always will be. Raw human spirit. Not artificially influenced human action. Big-time wrestling provides the facade for that.

I, for one, will wake up tomorrow and see an improved Tour de France, and bike racing, that could be one rider closer to healing. For a long time, I wasn't even able to watch the Tour, knowing what was going on. Was I a bitter ex-pro? Of course I was. Do you think it's fun trying to keep contact with a group lead by guys who's hematocrit levels are over 60? I had spent years dealing with opponents that people - including Vino's Doctor, Dr. Ferrari - were transforming. I am not a bitter ex-pro, now. I love all types of cycling. Bike racing is just one little aspect of my love. Would I refuse to talk to Jennifer Connelly just because she had fungus under her pinky toe? Great gods of the heavens no. Just like I will never turn away from cycling, again, simply because there are people polluting that tiny portion of it.

Great Scot, we mustn't turn away from cycling just because racing has hard times. Or Jennifer Connelly, for that matter.

Be strong. Have faith and continue to improve the system. Nail the users. Riders out there like Jan Ulrich who know everything and are trying to protect something that is gone forever? Speak up, man. Tell us the things you know. You will be a hero. Companies, we have responsibilities, too. Now is not the time to shy away, wish that things like this didn't happen, and then go hide and hope things just 'go back to normal', again. Do the right things. 'You'll never catch everybody' is not justification to stop trying. 'Everybody does it' is not a reason nor an answer. Big time wrestling, folks. That's what you get if we give up the fight.