'We've gotten very used to taking his money and never seeing him again, but this year the guy gets the whole shot? It's a little weird." Dave Berger (race organiser) commented on Monday. "Look, we run a clean program and if he wants to do drugs and race....he should take his road bike to Europe where that kind of thing is expected!"
The allegations arose after photos of Wrecking Ball (in the 2004 race) surfaced on the Trail Gnome web site earlier this week. The difference in the appearance of the rider raised eyebrows across the north east section of the county, and soon after demands for an investigation grew.
Before in 2004
After in 2008
"Look anyone can tell something is different about the guy. He has a ton more facial hair and he looks like he is going to kill someone. I think team pressure (from BikeChain.com) finally got to him, I mean look at the guy, he's obviously filled with rage and he's wearing purple pants. I don't know how he beat Red Dragon (long time rival and team manager) back in 04."
A fellow beginner class rider (that asked not to be named) commented off the record:
"I just think it sucks for the beginner riders that have to spend all their money, to take four pounds off their bikes and borrow parts, just to stay competitive! The guy wears a camel back ...I mean ...Who does that!"
"Look who cares? I wasn't even on a box...I was on the grass for Christ sakes! Big Jim has won two races after not riding for nine years... how come nobody is investigating him! Let a short guy finish top five and it has to be drugs right? Why, because I am the only guy in my class with hair? It's discrimination, pure and simple!"
Wrecking Ball said in a press conference (that no one attended, he recorded his own comments and demanded we print them).
Greg LeMond will be in town later this week to interrupt the a small discussion group.
Fellow Team mate and accused sand bagger Big Jim Slade, could not be reached for comment. The five people that read his blog really could care less about the scandal, but admitted they would probably read it if Juancho doesn't post anything that day.
Stay tuned for developments in this story, if you feel like it, or are in prison, or a family member of the accused.
W.B.Z.N. news
