[MTbikerJM567]

In a phone call to Specialized headquarters on Wednesday, July 28, mountain bike world champion Filip Meirhaeghe regretfully informed his sponsor that he has tested positive for the banned substance EPO. Filip accepted responsibility for his actions and announced his retirement.

On Thursday morning at a press conference in Belgium, Meirhaeghe admitted his guilt and said it was time for him to stop racing. "Nobody from my entourage knew about that EPO use," he said. "I immediately understood it would be fatal for my career."

Specialized's policy with its athletes is "zero tolerance" regarding the use of banned substances. Mike Sinyard, company founder and president, made this clear on Wednesday evening, "If you cheat, you're fired."

"Filip is a great person and an exceptional athlete who exercised exceptionally poor judgement," Sinyard continued. "And, it truly saddens me to see his accomplishments diminished this way. I believe that as a person, he is fundamentally above such things, but made a grave mistake."

^What a loser? What do u guys have to say?

 

[Kaparzo]

Its kind of a funny thing. He toyed and basically took for granted other rider's, legit riders, chances at winning/doing well. He put his performance needs and sponsership pressures above everyone elses. It seems he has forgotten what MTBing is all about. On the other hand, I have talked to people who have met him and he is super cool. Like the spec. guy says, he is a great person who made a terrible mistake. Thankfully he understands and accepts the consequences. Unlike a guy like Richard Virenque who is back winning races somehow, Filip will bow out, and hopefully refind his passion for just riding.

 

[Pete]

In other breaking news, Saddam has been captured!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[RiftZone]

Damn, and I thought it was the bike....

That made him kicked ass at the races..

 

[Bigwheel]

^What a loser? What do u guys have to say?

He got caught. As have others and more to follow. You would be surprised by the amount of "losers" there are on the World Cup scene.

On the other hand maybe a little recreational EPO would help us peons on the Tuesday nite rides? Can you get it at Wal Mart?

 

[DeeEight]

Just wait until lance gets caught... then the fit's gonna hit the shan.

 

[Patchito]

Just wait until lance gets caught... then the fit's gonna hit the shan.

And you base that characteristically (for you) inane and unfounded comment on what exactly? You say it with such self-assured certainty, I would have to assume that your privy to some sort of information that no one else has. Care to share your sources? No, reading 10 year-old copies of Mountain Bike Action from your library isn't going to give you the answer. Why don't you stick to what you know, which in this case is obscure and obsolete bike parts - preferably purple anodized.

Typical nonsense from the one poster who makes Gonzostrike seem as wise as Solomon by comparison.

Is this the performance enhancing drug you're talking about?

LOL...compared to that pic, my avatar seems handsome.

 

[Jm.]

Just wait until lance gets caught

I'm still waiting.

 

[XC Jedi]

Overdoing it?

In a phone call to Specialized headquarters on Wednesday, July 28, mountain bike world champion Filip Meirhaeghe regretfully informed his sponsor that he has tested positive for the banned substance EPO. Filip accepted responsibility for his actions and announced his retirement.

On Thursday morning at a press conference in Belgium, Meirhaeghe admitted his guilt and said it was time for him to stop racing. "Nobody from my entourage knew about that EPO use," he said. "I immediately understood it would be fatal for my career."

Specialized's policy with its athletes is "zero tolerance" regarding the use of banned substances. Mike Sinyard, company founder and president, made this clear on Wednesday evening, "If you cheat, you're fired."

"Filip is a great person and an exceptional athlete who exercised exceptionally poor judgement," Sinyard continued. "And, it truly saddens me to see his accomplishments diminished this way. I believe that as a person, he is fundamentally above such things, but made a grave mistake."

^What a loser? What do u guys have to say?

Uh...How many forums do you plan on posting this in?

BTW: He did it, he got caught, and he should get the punishment that fits the crime.

 

[guava]

I knew it!

I can't say I told ya so, because I didn't, but I've been very skeptical of this guy for a while. His results seemed unrealistic, and he looked a little to muscular (ie heavy) to be so fast. I can't put my finger on exactly why, but I was expecting him to get caught this year. I was reading about a race somewhere that he won. I was looking at a picture of him in the artical and it just hit me. I looked at his face and thought, "he's doping". I can't explain it.