An Update on Richie Rude & Jared Graves' Failed EWS Drug Test

Mar 12, 2019 at 9:55
by Brian Park  
Red Bull Content Pool - Dave Trumpore
Red Bull Content Pool / Dave Trumpore


With the EWS season fast approaching, many of us have been expecting to hear the final verdict on Richie Rude and Jared Graves' failed drug test. Well today isn’t that day, but there have been some developments in the background, and we’ve got some answers for you.





Will Richie Rude be racing in Rotorua?

This is the question many athletes have been asking, with mixed feelings all around.

He can technically race until an official verdict is handed down. He and Jared raced the second half of the 2018 season after being informed of the positive test, because the substances they tested positive for are in the "specified" category, which allowed them to avoid provisional suspension. Although they publicly confirmed their positive tests to us last November, nothing has changed with his eligibility to race.

In an email sent to riders this morning, the EWS clarified that it is "100% removed from all anti-doping cases" to maintain impartiality and neutrality and will not impose any sanctions or take any steps until an official ruling by AFLD has been made.

bigquotesWe are increasingly asked if riders under investigation will be allowed to race in our series, and the answer is yes. Why? Because regardless of your or our personal opinions, the EWS makes all decisions based on fact and evidence and therefore until a formal decision is reached by the ruling party in the case, we have no official information to follow. It is by following due process, and treating all cases in the same way, that we maintain the sport’s legitimacy in the long term. We will never treat any case any differently to another. This is not showing any sympathy towards those in question, it is simply to maintain athlete rights and the high ethical standards we believe our sport deserves and each one of you would expect should you find yourselves in a similar situation.

While a case remains open and we have no notifications of any mandatory suspensions on any riders, the only way a rider will not take the start of an EWS is if they impose a voluntary ban on themselves. The EWS will respect any decisions reached by the parties in question until an official decision is made by the agency who carried out the tests.
Enduro World Series

Despite being able to race, Richie informed us that he won’t be racing at the start of this season. A recent Instagram post was also tagged with #notrotorua.


back in the mix and only 11 seconds out of the lead Jared Graves was happy with his day.

What about Jared?

Jared is undergoing treatment for cancer. We wish him the best in his recovery!


Do we know where the banned substances came from yet?

No. The riders claim their ingestion was accidental, but it’s unclear if it was on a labeled supplement or something else. Their shared supplement sponsor Ryno Power denies ever having either of those substances in any of their products.

After our original story broke, photos emerged from a 2016 Vital MTB photo-set in Chile with Graves taking ‘PEScience Alphamine,’ which contains (or contained) higenamine. Higenamine wasn't specifically named as a banned substance by WADA in 2016, but it is a beta 2 agonist, which were (and still are) banned. It's possible he was still using that supplement in 2018.

Several sources have suggested that the banned substances were in a water bottle that Jared shared with Richie at that race. Both racers were advised by their lawyer not to speculate on how they ingested the substances, so these reports are unconfirmed.

The letter of the law doesn't distinguish intent versus accidental ingestion—so if it was a friend’s water bottle, or they didn’t read labels, it may not matter. Whether it affects their potential sanctions isn’t clear.
photo
photo

When will we get a verdict from the FFC/AFLD?

No comment from them yet. Sources suggest it’s unlikely to get resolved before Q2 2019.

bigquotesAs with all pending cases, and to respect the integrity of the proceedings, AFLD is not able to comment on any aspect of these cases.Catherine Coley, AFLD

Update: the AFLD is making changes to adopt full WADA guidelines, which may be contributing to a longer-than-normal process in this case.


Was there any sponsor fallout?

It appears neither Jared nor Richie have lost any major sponsors regarding this situation. Richie is still on Red Bull and Yeti, and Jared is still on Monster and Specialized. Jared’s contract with Specialized was over last year, but they recently announced an extended deal while he undergoes cancer treatment. It's possible the situation has affected team sponsorships, as brands aren't sure if or when they'll be able to race again.

bigquotesWe stand by Jared in that fight and wish him a quick recovery. Jared is still a team member, with an extended contract for the season, whether or not he straps on a number plate in 2019. Jared has our support.Specialized


What kind of sanction will Richie & Jared receive?

Nobody knows, this is uncharted territory. The US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has sanctions for Higenamine ranging from nine months to four years and two cases of Oxilofrine abuse, one with a six-month sanction and one with 18 months.

It's assumed that that their results from the race will be erased, and Richie Rude will be stripped of the win from EWS Olargues, making Adrien Dailly the winner and causing some pencil sharpening as the series has to recalculate some overall points.

However, there are more variables at play in this situation: the presence of 2 substances, the apparent bottle sharing, and that they were competing under a different ruleset. There may be EWS sanctions on top of UCI sanctions—we’ll address some of those complexities in another story.





Full Letter from the EWS to Athletes

"I write to you as a member of the Enduro World Series (EWS) or a Team Manager of an Official EWS Team.

As we reach the final days before the 2019 season begins I’m acutely aware that the anti-doping case that hit the headlines in 2018 still remains a question for all of you. I therefore feel you deserve some information on the position of the EWS on this matter.

I am aware that there is anger and upset among the riders that the situation is not resolved. Although I understand your frustration, and your feelings too, this do not change the position of the EWS, which is bound by anti-doping regulations, legal due process and athlete rights.

The key aspect of this situation is that the EWS is 100% removed from all anti-doping cases. As it should be. We hosted the French Anti Doping Agency (AFLD) to carry out their own tests in Olargues in 2018 and we will work with any findings they formally reach following those tests. But, the details of all open cases remain entirely confidential and between only two parties; the riders who were tested, and the agency that tested them. Therefore, we have as little insight and influence on the case as you do. This may seem strange, but it is correct, both ethically and legally and must be like this in order to maintain complete impartiality and neutrality during all anti-doping investigations in all sport, from the Olympics right down to EWS. We await a formal decision as much as you do. And we will not be able to determine any steps until that decision has been made, in this case by the AFLD.

We are increasingly asked if riders under investigation will be allowed to race in our series, and the answer is yes. Why? Because regardless of your or our personal opinions, the EWS makes all decisions based on fact and evidence and therefore until a formal decision is reached by the ruling party in the case, we have no official information to follow. It is by following due process, and treating all cases in the same way, that we maintain the sport’s legitimacy in the long term. We will never treat any case any differently to another. This is not showing any sympathy towards those in question, it is simply to maintain athlete rights and the high ethical standards we believe our sport deserves and each one of you would expect should you find yourselves in a similar situation.

While a case remains open and we have no notifications of any mandatory suspensions on any riders, the only way a rider will not take the start of an EWS is if they impose a voluntary ban on themselves. The EWS will respect any decisions reached by the parties in question until an official decision is made by the agency who carried out the tests.

We truly understand you're upset and understand this is an emotive topic for us all, but during these times I ask only that both the riders under investigation, and all other riders in our sport respect each other, and, like the EWS, respect the formal processes in place."


Previously:
• Exclusive: Richie Rude & Jared Graves Failed Drug Test at EWS France
• Interview: Jared Graves Comments on Failed Drug Test
• Interview: Richie Rude Comments on Failed Drug Test
• Higenamine & Oxilofrine: What Are the Banned Substances that Jared Graves & Richie Rude Tested Positive For?

Author Info:
brianpark avatar

Member since Dec 29, 2010
214 articles

347 Comments
  • 277 7
 2 Riders, 1 Cup? Razz
  • 28 5
 I've heard this reference for years, always been to squeamish to search it out.
  • 72 1
 @preston67: dont do it man, it will hunt you for life...
  • 60 9
 @dbretonx: no worries, we've seen a Polygon on Message and Spengle...
  • 43 22
 I say let them all juice then sit back and watch the most amazing year of EWS you've ever seen. Think back to 1998 MLB - the Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa homerun battle... That was probably the most exciting season of baseball in a generation.
  • 177 12
 @NYShred: "probably the most exciting season of baseball" that sets the standard pretty high, right there with paint drying and snail races
  • 6 2
 @dbretonx: once you see that shit, if will F$%& up for life.
  • 16 7
 @NYShred: f*ckin' hell, Baseball. Zzzzzz -_-
  • 3 0
 CELL TECH!!!!!!!!!
  • 11 3
 @NYShred: because there is no doping currently in the major leagues, or the NFL, or the NBA, or the NHL???
Right...
  • 11 0
 @preston67: Bruh, you want squeamish, check out 1 guy 1 jar. You'll never be the same.
  • 2 1
 @chriskneeland: worst is one guy one screwdriver......the sound is pure horror
  • 4 3
 @NYShred: richie has the same swollen head as mcgwire
  • 9 0
 @kawin20:
2 guys,1dropper post,0 saddle is insane too
  • 20 0
 Drugs are bad mmkay?
  • 33 2
 @NYShred: Seriously? For every rider in the EWS there are something like 100 guys killing themselves trying to make it there clean. These rules aren't for the sake of the spectators. They're for the people trying to make it in the sport, who're doing it the RIGHT WAY, but instead are getting screwed by the dopers.
  • 5 0
 @NYShred: i think Palmer said something like have 2 classes: stock and modified - but i guess the fight will always be keeping stock, stock..
  • 21 0
 @kawin20: I haven't seen 2 girls 1 cup, 1 guy 1 jar, or 1 guy 1 screwdriver, but I did look at EllsworthBikes.com. Yeah... stabbed both eyes with a soldering iron, but the image remains.
  • 2 0
 Two men one jar... @kawin20:
  • 1 0
 The real question is: What are the actress doing today? filmography?
  • 4 0
 @glen-allaire: 2 guys,1dropper post,0 saddle,... 300psi
  • 1 0
 @tullie: Richie has the swollen nose and head of Dallas McCarver
  • 4 0
 @iduckett: “Wrecked ‘Em: The Story of One Man, One Command Post, and No Saddle”
  • 6 0
 @bicimane: Externally routed, internally rooted.
  • 3 0
 @NYShred: pretty sure they already do bro....

This is nothing New! Now they are just getting caught with the implementation of wada
  • 3 2
 @Geearmo: As purely a thought experiment, this is an interesting notion. Which do you think would draw the most hype and attention? I'd be willing to bet that if not initially, given enough time, people would rationalize the "modified" class while marketing would sanitize the doping aspect with "safer protocols" and it would become the more popular to watch. Many may not admit it, but people are inherently drawn to feats of human athleticism artificially enhanced or not.
  • 3 3
 @Shartriloquist: "Many may not admit it, but people are inherently drawn to feats of human athleticism artificially enhanced or not" - thank you
  • 1 0
 @NYShred: f7xk base ball and mark mcguire this is an mtb forum!!!!
  • 2 0
 @WAKIdesigns: so what's the deal with baseball then?
  • 3 3
 @excavator666: they dope? So do folks in NHL, NFL. We are now heading to Europe: Sir, do you think players of Manchester United take performance enhancing drugs? - nooooooooooo
  • 4 2
 @WAKIdesigns: No, I meant if people are inherently drawn to feats of athleticism, then what's the draw to baseball?

and yes, most professional athletes dope.
  • 3 2
 @excavator666: hitting a ball with a bat? I don’t know. I dope to type
  • 3 0
 @WAKIdesigns: I dope to to keep my nightmares from becoming real Smile
  • 2 0
 @WAKIdesigns: strava made me dope
  • 3 0
 @matttauszik: for Strava E-dope is optimal. If you want to beat roadies on Strava, check average speed on different parts of the segment during the KOM, get into a car and drive just a tiny bit faster in a place or two.
  • 1 0
 @chriskneeland: 2 guys 1 horse
  • 1 1
 @WAKIdesigns: The simple fact you thought of how to beat a KOM with your car is sad....
  • 3 0
 @H3RESQ: the simple fact that you would care about what happens with someone’s KOM is sad. You do realize that any pro from any discipline will beat a local KOM? Like it was with Wiggins who turned on Strava during a race set a few KOMs that some falks were wanking out for years?
  • 4 0
 @H3RESQ: if you want to know how to beat a KOM on a climb on a MTB: get an E-bike, put a phone on your bars, set the timer, ride it 3 times, set time points, and ride so that you come hust a few second s faster. Or ask 3-4 friends to fo a relay with you. Everyone goes as hard as they can, then pass the phone. That’s how much Strava racing cred is worth. If you want to race against others and yourself, enter a race. Don’t sandbag. If you want to use Strava for your own good, log rides and see whether you are getting better
  • 3 0
 @WAKIdesigns: that will show you how much you suck thoughSmile
  • 192 29
 Without being rude, this seems to be grave news.
  • 3 3
 This certainly enhanced the anticipation for the new Ews season
  • 5 2
 This just happens to come out on a TUEsday?
  • 3 1
 Interesting that Richie Rude has decided not to race, even tho he is allowed to. Is EWS implying that Richie has decided to impose a voluntary ban on himself?
  • 2 1
 @RollinFoSho: Maybe the sponsors hold back a little about sending the athlete to the other side of the globe, just for him to get banned from the rest of the season right after it?
  • 5 1
 @RollinFoSho: The races won't count, waste of time and money. So not worth risking an injury. It's bad for PR, would probably just piss off other riders, etc. Also I bet he's expecting to be suspended for a certain amount of time. So probably whatever he sits out is "time served" and he can get back to racing ASAP?

Doping's a weird thing. Most everyone hates Lance. But Jon Jones is still fighting...?
  • 2 1
 But didn’t they just say it hasn’t been resolved yet, not fully decided?
  • 4 1
 He must already know that he’s most likely getting sanctioned so he’s not going to bother with starting.
  • 80 9
 Can't believe it takes this long...
  • 125 3
 You clearly don't follow road racing.
  • 65 0
 Maybe get the folks at the AFLD some ritalin or adderall. They can't seem to focus enough to get the job done efficiently. Plus, the irony.
  • 25 1
 @fullfacemike: We do now. #cyclingtips
  • 8 1
 @mtbmaniatv I just updated the article to include the AFLD is making changes to adopt full WADA guidelines, which may be contributing to a longer-than-normal process in this case.
  • 7 0
 @brianpark: Gotcha, must be hard on the athletes, wondering if it's worth their time competing or even training if they won't be allowed back.
  • 3 0
 @fullfacemike: Or FIM moto.
  • 29 1
 @mtbmaniatv: why not.. Hell, I train just for the sake of beating people on my morning commute.
  • 4 0
 @brianpark: One would think adopting existing guidelines would help speed the process up. Although, this case would still need to dealt with using the rules that existed on that day they were tested, IMO.
  • 12 0
 It's seriously messed up that it takes so long to sort this mess out. Innocent or guilty, the riders in question as well as their competitors and fans deserve to have this sorted out in a more timely manner.
  • 26 0
 I fully understand the need to follow due process. However, anti-doping should be about 1. protecting clean athletes and 2. protecting the integrity of the sport. Maybe instead of towing the line, the EWS, the teams and the athletes should be more publicly critical of that fact that the process as it stands IS NOT protecting clean athletes or the integrity of the sport due to how long the decision process takes. The fact that there is no clear direction on this expected until Q3 at soonest is terrible for the sport.
  • 11 33
flag iffy (Mar 12, 2019 at 12:12) (Below Threshold)
 who cares, take what you want ride and f*ck the laww!

#sorelosers
  • 5 7
 @bohns1: There used to be a time when people being overtaken by someone on an e-bike would yell "cheater". With drugs getting so advanced all they yell now (when overtaking them on an unassisted bike) is "please could you piss in this bottle for me". Then months and months later when you've been tested positive they need to track you down to only the call you "cheater!".
  • 12 1
 Broc Tickle´s situation is way worse
  • 1 0
 @bohns1: me too, but the e-bikers drop me every time.
  • 5 6
 @fullfacemike: get the heck off this website with this road talk
  • 1 0
 @johnski: I (heart) irony.
  • 5 1
 @baptistamtb200: Broc Tickle's is bad but Cade Clason is arguably the worst. He isnt as high profile. He filed the correct TUE but it was never processed correctly. Ruined his entire chance at earning an income from the sport.

For others reading this that might not be as familiar just keep in mind the suspension date is effective from the last day they raced professionally even if it was in a series not governed by WADA. This prevents them from earning a living which is a big problem for the riders without big sponsor contracts. They cant just race in other series for 2 years and come back. They cant do any sort of riding.
  • 6 0
 @bohns1: I see I'm not the only one that see's the red mist when you get passed on what is supposed to be a leisurely commute into work. Why must I always see it as a competition!!!?
  • 4 0
 @brianpark: WADA is so slow, they couldn't get out of the way of a glacier..
  • 5 5
 The WADA thing is such BS! Just keep the riders hanging, not able to do anything. Totally ruining their careers. The AMA has no balls and should be saying “ they race until a verdict is reached” .@konarider94:
  • 4 0
 @jolie: they CAN race until the verdict is reached...did you read the article?
  • 1 0
 @vinay: someone yelled that to me on the trail once. i thought they just had some weird fetish.
  • 5 0
 @racer585: #FreeBrockTickle
  • 1 0
 @b0cephus: They don't count
  • 6 0
 @clink83: but, if they race, any potential suspension would start effective with their last race... So, as of right now, the suspension would be effective from the EWS finals last year...
  • 3 2
 @lumpy873: ah yes, that makes it sound like he's a doper and now trying to work it so he spends as little time as possible banned. That's so much better...
  • 3 0
 @clink83: it's the same thing Broc Tickle has been dealing with on the moto side of things... He hasn't been given any official suspension, yet he can't race potentially extend any punishment and that would definitely end his career... But, WADA moves so slow, their careers will probably be over by the time anything is announced...
  • 1 0
 @clink83: They can race but any results would most likely be nullified and void if there charged with doping down the road. Also with WADA there suspension would most likely start at last date of competition.
  • 2 1
 @b0cephus: Unless you hitch a ride with them. I got a tow for about 3 miles holding on to a bag on a luggage rack and staying out of the e-biker's view one day. It was along the shore and is really windy, so that's probably why I got away with it. Once we got off the cycle path, I was off like a shot. Happy days.
  • 3 0
 @konarider94: I forgot about Cade... It's been over a year since he got notice and he hasn't heard anything from WADA.. I bet the process would speed up if he decided to race...
  • 3 1
 @islandforlife: It IS a competition. There was one guy on my commute who used to really annoy me though. Whenever I was catching him, he'd peel off the main road as if he lived somewhere else on those days. It was utterly pathetic and he must have thought I didn't know. Loser.
  • 1 0
 @DarrellW: haha, that's hilarious!
  • 1 0
 @islandforlife: Haha.. The ultimate worst is when some geezer makes the pass.. And that's no disrespect either! There are some damn good in shape geezers out there that I'll never underestimate again.
  • 77 10
 Here are my two cents, because this is the internet(specifically the @pinkbike comments section!!!) and my opinion is great and everyone should listen to me because there is no way that I, a single individual among billions could be wrong!!

I think we live in a culture where everyone has to be perfect and spotless and if you make a mistake/do or say something in poor taste or judgement, it completely erases everything good that you have ever done(don't get me wrong though, these come with their own consequences). Jared and Richie are great athletes, pretty cool humans(from what I can tell from videos and following their careers, I have never met them and only know them from a distance) but they both made mistakes/ cheated, label it how you will and both will face the consequences for what they have done. I would hope that when they have made recompense for violating rules (whether intentionally or unintentionally) that we will allow them to rebuild the trust or a relationship that may have been damaged and hopefully that through it all they and we can learn and grow collectively.

It seems that for some, Jared and Richie might as well be puppy murderers and there is no place in hell suitable for the crimes they have committed and that they have destroyed the sanctity of the sport and made the playing field uneven. To this I say, sport is already uneven, some are born with more talent, some have more money, some live in better locations, some have the advantage of starting at a young age, some are harder workers, some have better sponsors with better technology, its competition and I agree that performance enhancing drugs are not great for the sport and I support having a governing body that ensures testing but at the end of the day there is no such thing (in my mind) as a level playing field.

As a final note, I would like to add that my opinion defines me and how dare you bring up any contradicting points or criticize the logic in my arguments, I will go to every length possible to disprove your comments by attacking you at a personal level and claim you know nothing because you're clearly a 29er riding rigid suspension loving, road biking, anti-mountainbiking ne'er do well.

Just kidding, I do not know everything and my opinion is merely an opinion and subject to change as I continue to read through some of the better informed comments!

Go ride bikes!
  • 21 10
 How dare you speaking sense. We want beers! After ride beers! I live for telling people I drink beer after ride! I ride to drink Beers! Beeeeers!
  • 29 3
 I think it’s more likely that we live in a world where nothing is ever your fault and you are always a victim of some unfortunate circumstance.... personal accountability is probably lacking all across the board..... but that’s just my opinion, and we are all free to disagree.
  • 13 24
flag WAKIdesigns (Mar 12, 2019 at 12:51) (Below Threshold)
 @TypicalCanadian: I think, if I was going to go deep, through the sensation thirsty media, providing us entertainment packaged in search of the truth, we actually became slaves of the truth. We no longer know which battles to choose. Two athletes competing in a niche sport, allegedly doping mind enhancing drugs, raise similar emotions as a minister accused of being a member of worldwide pedophile network. I always look at my anecdote, of an obese man at the bus stop. You wait for a bus so you have time to look at him. Is there any point to come up to him and say: Hey! You're fat! - he is fat and he has an eating disorder, in most way it is his fault. And then you can have a mild alternative. Excuse me sir, have you ever considered doing a test determining your metabolic rate and then adjust caloric intake based on that? Preferably with more nutrient rich foods? - no, most of us won't, even though that would be a perfectly reasonable act driven by honest empathy. Now imagine you actually did that and few months later he is on TV, looking healthy, saying a man on the bus stop saved his life. - we entered entertainment again. Hormonal stimulation through image, through story.

I love Richie and Jared and all the top guys racing. I really don't care much, because my love for mountain biking is bigger, than idea of fairness, which is a very blurry concept. Subject to relativity. I fear people who look at things in black and white. We all love hero stories. I for instance love the story of Lance, I saw him few times on live TV and will love the dude no matter what, for those stories that were written with him in the spotlight. A guy riding without his team half of the race, Ulrichs team partners catching up, and Lance is having none of it. They are getting strategic advantage, he will not wait for them to regenerate and then pull the tired Ulrich... so he stands on pedals and drops everyone else in the escape party, charging like a freaking bull - they can't catch him, he's winning. We won't see much of that in the future. What we see now is poliferation of cold calculation, looking at power meter instead of the road.

I've been to the void and I've seen people who pretend to look for the truth. In search of fairness they were taught to be the virtue, they lost the vision of the truth, happyness in life, the pursuit of fairness, battle readiness to put down any attack, any accusation has blinded their ability to enjoy life. Because if you want to find truth you need to go into dungeons where sun doesn't reach. Gold is there to be found, but some are just greedy... and then the void consumes them. In fight with the monsters, they become monsters themselves. Then too often monsters are just windmills...

So well... sex is a nice concept and porn shows it greatly (truth), that's why you watch it (truth) and masturbate(truth) but then your parents did it (truth) and if you watch a bad amateur porn, it is highly possible that it is how you came to be (truth) it's just that it was even shorter (truth). Your dad is highly possibly not James Deen (truth) who is similar to Jared Graves and so the story ends.
  • 54 0
 @WAKIdesigns: I gotta be honest.... that was really long and I didn’t read any of it...
  • 4 0
 Have you seen that standup by Bill Burr about how great men such as Arnold did hundreds of awesome acts, only to have the sum value erased by a single wrong move in the court of public opinion?
  • 2 2
 @jaame: I have not, but I have heard the saying "a reputation takes a lifetime to build, and only a moment to lose" and I agree, but my thoughts are more along with what happens after someone has broken the perfect aura we have built around them (hopefully their self worth is not derived from public opinion). Jared and Richie are great guys, to me, the scale of what they have done, while not super honest, still not the worst. For others, possibly fellow competitors who strive to follow the rules and work just as hard, to hear that Jared and Richie were not abiding the same rules, might be an extra bitter pill to swallow. There are times when people that we look up to do horrible things, things from which there may not be much redemption. I do feel like fairness in sport is a myth and while Jared and Richie broke rules that they as competitors must abide by and must abide by any of the governing body's decisions, I don't feel like this takes away from who they are to me.
  • 3 4
 @larrylars12: I love discussions like that, I am just adding, not criticizing: "It takes 20 years to build a reputation, and only 5 minutes to ruin it" - when Warren Buffett said it, he obviously couldn't foresee the age of Trump where a douche mixed with internet coverage are virtually immune to criticism and accountability Smile I have a depressing expression: "consequences are not taken by those who deserve them, rather by those who are capable of taking them, regardless of their involvement in the case". Life can sometimes turn into a grotesque reality from a Russian Novel, where crime is committed, sentence is given and number of guilty people in jail must be right. You better not be around then. So to speak to you mentioning redemption, well you never know whether there is no redemption for a particular wrong doing, and you never know where you will be condemned for virtually nothing. There are people who turn themselves in. I must admit, I cannot understand what makes them do it... the guilt? Some have very little guilt. Which brings me back to consequence. Absence of guilt, may not save you from punishment, but it increases your chances to get away with the crime Big Grin
  • 2 0
 @WAKIdesigns: Did someone say beer?
  • 2 0
 @larrylats12 You typed alot but didn't really say much. What do you think should happen to them?
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: Dostoyevsky was an a*shole.
  • 1 0
 @jaame: Who's Arnold?
  • 94 26
 Wait the two guys who are built like spartan warriors got busted for drugs?
  • 46 5
 To be fair, a lot of the EWS guys are ripped, did you see the Barelli photo recently?
  • 20 33
flag drunknride (Mar 12, 2019 at 11:25) (Below Threshold)
 @metaam: This is a stupid argument anyway, but Barelli is ripped from lack of body fat; not muscle mass.
  • 57 3
 @drunknride: I think you probably need to go back and look at that photo if you think he's just skinny.
  • 79 22
 They are built like brick shit houses because they train their assess off! I know both of them personally and Jared lived with me for the better part of a year when he was racing for yeti in like 2008 and he trained every day either on the bike or in the gym and I Richie does the same. They are not accidental champions! They are professionals and they both take racing very seriously! so you should stop being a CHOAD and suggesting that they cheat because they're physically fit!
  • 74 25
 @BigBrownBunny: People defended Lance like this too.
  • 9 7
 @BigBrownBunny: m.vitalmtb.com/forums/The-Hub,2/EWS-Doping-Thread-Removal,10326?page=5
He was okay with posting a photo of a thermogenic.. Keep it natural right just training and the gym?
  • 11 21
flag thenotoriousmic (Mar 12, 2019 at 11:44) (Below Threshold)
 @BigBrownBunny: Did you guys date or something?
  • 20 1
 @BigBrownBunny: CHOAD!!!! I haven't seen anyone use that word in years. A classic for sure.
  • 7 5
 @BigBrownBunny: was it LIKE 2008, or was it even 2008, or could it have not even been 2008?
  • 11 8
 @drunknride: Graves is an ex BMX racer. These guys are even bigger and Graves himself said when he was doing BMX he weighed 90kg, for EWS he is 80kg. I am same height and I am 75kg at ca 12% body fat. That means Gravs has 5kg more muscle mass than I do. With all the riding volume he used to be doing, that bites off muscle mass, it was very impressive. Barelli is still muscular above average, if you want lean, look at Nino, Blenki, Minnaar or Maes.
  • 10 4
 @metaam: different level... Barelli is skinny ripped, Rude literally went through a tree
  • 13 6
 bit of a difference here. Lance was on a full blood doping program. This gear the boys got done for just increases alertnes. I bought the stuff from the sports supplement store to see if I would become a beast using it. Does fk all apart from you feel like you had a good double espresso.. don’t overcook this !
  • 2 1
 @metaam: Never said skinny. I sometimes forgot to put comments/thoughts in a bike riding perspective here. I came from a BMX start and was into power lifting and rugby. "Ripped" is very subjective.
  • 5 3
 @professed: Agreed, I've taken Alphamine for years and it's a good pre-workout to get a sweat on, but it's hardly steroids or secret blood transfusions!

This isn't even a close comparison to roadies like Lance Armstrong, even the WADA acknowledges this by having a separate category of 'specified' substances.
  • 8 7
 I'm not a pro athlete, work 40 hours a week, but I'm 6' tall, 190lbs, and 10% body fat (dunk test). If I worked out every day like they do and ate a lot of protien, I would be ginormous. A lot of size is genetics.
  • 25 0
 @MorganBH: TELL ME MORE
  • 6 2
 @owl-X: I know, I know, sounds like bragging. I'm just saying that his physical size isn't necessarily linked to doping and it's silly to imply that you can tell he's doping from pictures.
  • 4 8
flag WAKIdesigns (Mar 12, 2019 at 13:48) (Below Threshold)
 @MorganBH: fully agreed, especially in cycling where watt per kilo of body weight matters and there are diminishing returns to gaining too much muscle mass. As to dropping weight if one spends 20h+ on a bike a week, with 4-5k caloric expnditure per day, he / she has problem eating enough... One can however tell whether someone is doping based on time line of change. Hugh Jackman juiced his balls out to gain so much muscle mass for Wolverine in only 3 months. And virtually all elite body builders juice, especially higher weight classes
  • 3 2
 @BigBrownBunny: bonus 50 points for use of the word choad in 2019.
  • 4 1
 @sino428: i too was stoked to see the return of choad.
  • 3 1
 @BigBrownBunny: they cheated because they admitted to ingesting banned substances...
  • 10 0
 @professed: uh they were on an amphetamine(stimulant) and a beta2 agonist(bronchodilator). That's a bit of an understatement to say it just increases alertness...
  • 3 3
 @clink83: Yes, but knowingly? I don't know either way, but I hope for them and for the sport that it was unintentional. I also acknowledge I may be naive with my hopes.
  • 2 1
 @metaam: Im sure it was from a contaminated steak...
www.vitalmtb.com/forums/The-Hub,2/EWS-Doping-Thread-Removal,10326?page=5
  • 2 1
 @WAKIdesigns: yep Barelli transformation is not new he decided to train crossfit like Adam Brayton do! Someone here to suspect Adam... Hum ? No! Just jokes about Chuck Norris etc... Stop spread shit guys!
  • 8 0
 @jonnycanfield: remember those Nike commercials? “People want to know what I’m on. I’m on my bike, busting my ass 6 hours a day.”
  • 3 0
 @metaam: I'm going to try to avoid his photos until he learns to keep his clothes on, lol.

Most nakedest man in MTB.

He is pretty funny. And so cheeky...in more ways that one.
  • 1 0
 @jonnycanfield: Lance doped? wtf????
  • 1 1
 @owl-X: omfg lmao
  • 6 6
 @jonnycanfield: you can take away the medals but you cant take away the accomplishements. Lance is the greatest road cyclist ever. If you think the rest of the top 40 is clean, you're naive to say the least...
  • 4 2
 If that’s the case then the 41st guy is the best yet they are the one who got ripped off the most. Think about that @Golden-G:
  • 1 1
 @SangamonTaylor: what are you on?
  • 2 0
 @jaame: mostly Oskar Blues, Skratch Labs and salads with rotisserie chicken lately. Life of a mediocre amateur XC racer.
  • 4 4
 @Clem-mk: being lean js not about crossfit, it’s about energetic balance, calories in, calories out. He rides so much that it doesn’t matter. Brayton is not a lean type, just like Gwinny or Bulldog. Some beefed up dudes won’t go too lean because they lose too much muscle mass per lost fat. And some have very high muscle density and have buckets of raw strength, despite looking lean. There was a 20yr old kid on my gym once who was lean and his muscles were barely rounded out, you could see he was a bit athletic but nothing to write home about, and fkr was outlifting me with ease. A bit like current Sam Hill. Fkrs...
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: You're going to need to be pretty strong for BMX. I watched a video on youtube of Nic Long putting out over 2600W peak on a wattbike. Not for long, but a BMX race is only 30 to 40 seconds.
  • 1 2
 @DarrellW: Hah funny enough, I watched some results from Olympics and women are faster than men - I watched replays and it seem girls rode the exact same track as men. Then there was a research saying than BMXers are not utlizing 100% of their available power on track (as measured in lab), it was like 80% on initial sprint. Maybe guys are unnecessarily strong? Big Grin I was planning to get to that strength but I overcooked my back when deadlifting. Coming back slowly.
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: I believe you but it sounds pretty unbelievable. Have you got a link to this race?
  • 1 1
 @jaame: hah! I checked again, Women had a bit shorter track and no big jump at the third straight.. Patriarchists have put it there. They knew that since womens training was hindered by mobbing and deterrence,, they can now humiliate them with that huge thing. They were also highly probably instructed not to take that pro line on the third straight. Possibly threatened.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=IYkIH9U-GmM
  • 1 1
 @WAKIdesigns: I suspect they were subliminally coerced into not taking that jump since the day they were born.
Hang in, is it BMX where they have it written into the rules that the women are not allowed to hit that jump?
  • 1 1
 Wrong link, yo!
  • 2 1
 @MorganBH: No, his failed doping test is linked to doping.
  • 92 30
 The tainted supplements excuse is so weak for high level athletes at the top of their sport, if you are a top competitor and are in a sport where drug testing is used to the full extent, then you send your supplements for testing before consuming.
  • 18 21
 Thank you, no offense to them, but thanks for posting this comment.
  • 27 2
 To be clear, neither of the racers said their supplements were tainted. Their lawyer didn't want them to speculate, beyond saying they thought it came from a supplement. As far as we know both substances could have listed as ingredients.
  • 46 8
 Idiocy! Do you know how many thousands of dollars each year it would cost for a lab analysis on each supplement batch?
  • 42 4
 Do the athletes make enough money to seriously consider lab testing everything/anything they consume? Doubt it.
Secondly....there are two industries absolutely guilty of spiking products without disclosure, in order to gain an edge over THEIR competitors...the Human supplement biz and the Cannabis Growing supplement biz. Those companies don't give two shits about the consumer...they want your money. It's a multi billion dollar industry, both of them. They get caught, they pay a fine, they give zero f*cks(said companies).
  • 12 16
flag bigburd (Mar 12, 2019 at 11:15) (Below Threshold)
 No need really to do it for every batch, twice a year would be fine, would of thought Specialized are big and smart enough to have their athletes supplements tested.
  • 10 6
 In other sports, contaminated supplements are all to frequent, and the supplements tested by USADA do end up having trace amounts. It's a shame that bad supplements have ruined good athletes. It sounds like a stretch, but it's not uncommon. It's easy for us recreational athletes to critique pros, but it's not always as easy as it seems. Meanwhile, have some goddamn respect till the verdict is out. Eye tests are pathetic.
  • 6 2
 @loopie: they don't need to. Having been subject to doping control in the past it's very easy to check if a substance is legal or not. Sure it's a hassle but part of the job.
  • 3 1
 @Ron-C: yep innocent until proven guilty
  • 20 2
 I work in the supplement industry (going on 13 years now with some major players) and as mentioned it gets very expensive to test products, in addition they are normally looking for contents in the product. They don't actually take a product and get an exact breakdown of the contents of the supplement. In addition checking for certain ingredients isn't even straightforward, for example if you want to check the protein content of a protein powder according to FDA guidelines you check the nitrogen content in the supplement and that gives you an indication of the protein content. This is false though since many amino acids, including creatine, can directly raise the nitrogen content. I can sell you Nesquik with creatine in it and show you lab backed results with a nitrogen content that would indicate there was protein present when there isn't.

Now some companies have adultered their products but is not major players and when major players have adultered their products they typically do something like use a synthetic form of a compound (USPLabs DMAA) or lie about having a special variation of a compound (BSN CEM3). There have been some supplement companies in the past that blantantly just lie and include illegal compounds like steriods in their product but they say its an analog or precursor and they are small companies.

Now what i have seen is many people trying to blame supplement companies for illegal compounds which aren't there. I have first hand seen several people blame my previous employers products for drug tests resulting in positive steroid results, when they most definitely aren't in it.
  • 7 3
 @brncr6: Everyone keeps forgetting they accepted guilt. We want a verdict on imposed sanctions.
  • 12 0
 Without implying anything about the cause of these positive tests, I'd like to add some info: I do not know how this works internationally, but in the Netherlands, anti doping authority has an online list of supplement batch ID ranges that are tested to be doping free. You do not have to send your supplements for testing. In any case, it IS your responsibility as an athlete to only use tested supplements (or none at all). Everyone with a UCI affiliated racing license knows that.
  • 7 1
 Yeah, or uh, just don't take stuff if you don't know what's in it... Same thing that those of us who get drug tested for our jobs do.
  • 12 2
 @qbngringo: I strongly suspect that excuse from your last paragraph is going to be the excuse trotted out here by these two guys. They took some supplement that contained the compounds that they either didn't realize or it wasn't on the label. When AFLD/WADA asks for the supplements they'll no longer have them. I would suggest that the fact that neither of these two guys elected to have the B sample tested indicates to that they knew full well what was happening.
  • 4 0
 this reminds me of when Alberto ate a bad steak in Spain
  • 2 0
 @cliocatface: that's the one time I would give a racer the benefit of a doubt...Contador was racing during the Lance era so he would have to be pretty stupid to get popped for such a tiny dose of clembuteral.
  • 8 1
 Not much credibility in Graves claiming it was accidental when he was photographed using the supplement back when he was winning races, but maybe it was in his steak.
  • 28 4
 The most important thing here is that Specialized is still supporting Jared during his treatments. I was never a huge fan of Specialized, but this is important stuff. Something only massive company could pull off. Wishing Jared the best and thankful for the extended comittment from Specialized.
  • 15 3
 This is so true and honestly a lot of bike companies that size probably wouldn't support him like that. Imagine if he was sponsored by YT they'd probably try to retroactively bill him for his bike.
  • 5 0
 Agreed, I wasn't sure when his contract was up, but good on them for rolling it out for another year, all things considered it's good to see them putting human decency over profit.
  • 4 1
 @mbikes1: must be tax deductible
  • 3 0
 @TrevZ: No, that isn't how it would play out. They'd tell him they will pay for his medicine. But he'd have to wait for stock.
  • 3 0
 @mbikes1: to be fair, extending his contract is a good marketing win for them
  • 22 2
 To be clear higenamine has always been a banned substance since it is a beta 2 agonist. It was added to the named list of beta 2 agonists in 2016 or 17 this was done because athletes were claiming they didnt know it was banned as a beta2 agonist. But it has always been a banned substance.
  • 4 0
 I should have clarified, I'll update.
  • 2 0
 @brianpark: thanks I appreciate the clarification.
  • 2 0
 Interesting, thanks for sharing this!
  • 3 0
 This is actually really significant with regards to Jared, and likely others, breaking the rules due to negligence
  • 23 2
 Drugs are bad. Umm k?
  • 9 18
flag WAKIdesigns (Mar 12, 2019 at 13:41) (Below Threshold)
 The boys bathroom is close until further notice. Cause one of you thought it would be a good idea, to pull down your pants mmmkay? Hover your butt cheeks over the urinal, squeeze out a chocolate hot dough. You think that’s funny? Let me assure you there’s nothing funny in going to a nice clean, unsuspecting urinal, mkay, dropping yur pants,turning around, hovering over, pulling yout butt cheeks apart with both of your hands mkay, and laying down a big butt dragon for all the world to see
  • 14 1
 Looks like the Froomey case, but for the MTB world.
Not guilty until it has been proven, so he can still ride, he's allowed.
Now let's see if some spectators will wear a syringe costume on the side of the EWS stage Big Grin
  • 5 2
 Inflatable dinosaurs only, mate!
  • 13 20
flag gkeele (Mar 12, 2019 at 10:25) (Below Threshold)
 Or be legends and chuck piss at him?
  • 4 5
 If I was Froome, I would not wait until his results start withering down. I would take the money and run away to some tax heaven while still at the top. Because sooner or later, they will throw him under the bus. Like they do with nearly every single doper who stops laying golden eggs. They are like Mafia. Nobody quits and lives happy ever after.
  • 3 0
 @WAKIdesigns: we don't agree agree on many things. That said, you are spot on regarding the "Golden egg" analogy. UCI loves the extra exposer and $$ guys like Armstrong bring. what's the gravy train is over, we're going to swoop in and attack. about to finding Lance, however I'm saying UCI has been completely complacent over the years
  • 3 4
 @bman33: I think Covering up a star in the spotlight takes resources and is risky. That star must be worth it. But some are just that big, not sure Froome is. He is good but he is not a legend. Lance would not get caught if he wouldn't piss off too many people and wasn't riding for US postal service which is a national organisation. He wasn't getting caught and he started being an a-hole about it. So they got him through Federal investigation, If he was sponsored by private we would never hear about it. And look how it turned out for him anyways. A cycling expert, own channel, actually really good one to listen to, full credibility. I doubt whether Froome will ever get that. He is like a puppet. So Chris... RUN! Costa Rica, Vietnam, Philipines, Panama, Brazil, so many pieces of paradise where you are untouchable.
  • 2 2
 @WAKIdesigns: Lots of typo/grammar errors in my post above (voice to text). But yes, the main point is the UCI turns their heads when the money train is rolling in. Once that is over, they go after what ever rider(s) is doping so they 'look' respectable. Again, no defending Lance or any rider doping at that level. However, UCI has known about dopers, especially in road racing, for decades. All of them said they had to to compete. In addition, the Tomac article last year hinted at he knew it was beginning to be an issue in XC as well that is why he stepped away when he did.
  • 2 2
 @WAKIdesigns: froome has 1 less grand tour win than Lance has TDF wins, but has won lots of other stuff. He's really a better cyclist than Lance already, and isn't done yet.
  • 1 3
 @clink83: it’s like Schumacher vs Senna. As to modern times I am a Sagan fanboi. Spectacolarrr
  • 2 1
 @WAKIdesigns: I hate Sky and Froome, but he is definitely a legend and the best of the current generation. Don't let your lack of understanding or hatred for the other half of our sport cloud you judgment. All that being said I was hoping he would be suspended last year, and he should have been.................because he was doping...and sadly these two guys probably were too. Lots of people at the pointy end of competition cheat at a level they think they can get away with whether its micro dosing, blood doping, or cutting a figurative or literal corner. It's far from rare in most professional sports (skiing most recently also linked to road cycling). If your livelihood was on the line you would likely at least consider it.
  • 2 4
 @georgiamtbiker: I am not saying Froom is not good or doesn’t deserve this and that, but he is not a Spartan like Lance or Sagan. He doesn’t win spectacularily, he is measured. Like Prost vs Senna. And he is not too outspoken, he keeps it low and when he does speak up about some issue he makes a sissy out of himself. So he wil never be that iconic thing across the whole spectrum, everyone knows Lance, “a man who singlehandedly won TDF after being treated for cancer!” I am dramatizing but I hope you know what I mean. Outside of Cycling world almost nobody knows Froome.

As to doping in general cycling is just silly for pretending they are fighting it harder than other sports. In NFL, NBA, Football very few give a sht. Or it is the case of these sports pumping more money into covering up the thing
  • 2 0
 @WAKIdesigns: froome hasn't got the X factor personality that transcends sport. That's the fact of the matter.
Beckham, Rossi, Senna, McEnroe. Skills plus personality. Maybe not personality but charisma, the star quality.
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: you can be a legend without having a massive gob or being particularly flamboyant, but neither of those do any harm.
  • 2 1
 @BenPea: A chief of BMW F1 team said once: as a race driver, you do not need to be maladjusted towards your opponents, but it can give you an edge over them Smile

Froome could quote Bane from fight with Batman: you fight like a young man, all out, nothing left. It is admirable... but mistaken.
  • 1 0
 @clink83: That was memorable. Probably one of the best cycling stages of the entire history.
And doping or not, he had to have balls to try that.
  • 24 13
 The supplement thing actually makes a lot of sense. I have read and heard of numerous issues with supplements coming out of China that were manufactured in factories that also manufacture steroids and other androgenics in which products that don't normally contain these things were contaminated. I do believe both of these guys are innocent in the sense that it was likely accidental or it could be a case of contamination. It really shouldn't take this long for an answer though. This is getting a bit ridiculous.
  • 15 0
 Graves is in a picture with a supplement EWS Corral, Chile pit-bits 2016 www.vitalmtb.com/forums/The-Hub,2/EWS-Doping-Thread-Removal,10326?page=5
  • 3 2
 @downcountry: Yeah, but at the time the photo was taken Higenamine wasn't a banned substance, and from what I can tell on the PES website Higenamine is no longer in the product.
  • 6 0
 Hadn't heard of Higenamine..so I look it up. If this is accurate...holy shit, I imagine the temptation to sneak it in during endurance events would be strong.
https://selfhacked.com/blog/higenamine/
"Given orally, higenamine is rapidly absorbed and reaches peak levels in the blood after 10 minutes....Higenamine lasts in blood circulation for about 8 minutes, and nearly all higenamine is eliminated from the body within 30 minutes"
  • 1 0
 @downcountry: yes, we mention that in the article. Smile
  • 5 1
 @brianpark: Thanks - I missed that. I have a hard time believing that they were 100% unaware. Either way they were caught and they are smart dudes with incredible talent. Just bummed that it all happened - I'd prefer to watch them race and see them on the local trails. Regardless of their knowledge, they are still responsible - simple as that.
  • 5 1
 @downcountry: Oh my goodness now there's a user with tag @downcountry
  • 8 0
 The likelihood of contamination happening at the factory is highly unlikely. The equipment and manufacturing processes used to make sterile injectable steroids, even steroid pills, and nutritional supplements are entirely different. Its not likely that they would be made on the same equipment or packed on the same line even. Most places don't even make the two in the same building.
  • 8 0
 @mtbikeaddict: Must be Levy trying to stay incognito.
  • 1 3
 @SlodownU: That's the scary part about it to me. It does happen and has happened in the past.
  • 7 1
 While contamination may exist, I think most of these tests rely on such a high cutoff to be considered positive that is unlikely to be from incidental contamination.
  • 3 2
 @dbarnes6891: Contamination has happened in the past, but mostly between drug substances that were manufactured in the same suite or nearby suites, usually due to improper cleaning between cut-overs or someone not following SOPs. I can tell you for a fact that in the US and EU no one is manufacturing these types of nutritional supplements and Rx drugs in close proximity to each other, no way. Even generic manufacturers don't play in both the Rx and supplement game like this. And the Chinese FDA are not exactly push-overs either. And if there is some rinky-dink Chinese company that makes prescription drugs and these types of athletic aids in the same suite (which I highly doubt), I don't think a professional athlete is taking a supplement from such a small player. Supplements like this are usually made in facilities dedicated to making products of this type due to scale and equipment requirements. In places like this, contamination probably happens more frequently because its not as regulated as making Rx drugs, but accidentally getting something like testosterone in your pre-workout vitamin mix is not gonna happen, despite what google tells you.
  • 5 0
 The issue is rules very clear it’s a ban unless they happen to produce testing is incorrect?
Per doping charge it’s 6months>4years some media have explained so be lucky to have a reduced 1year ban but expect 18month>2years
  • 16 2
 "We truly understand your upset..."

I actually wasn't until I read this. #hookedonphonics
  • 25 0
 Upset can be a noun. Also, he didn't say "*that* you're upset", so some doubt remains. I don't believe this is a cut and dried case. Finally a worthwhile discussion on this news story.
  • 6 0
 @BenPea: Well parried. I'll see your noun and raise an Oxford comma.

Full disclosure, my grammar game will run out shortly...
  • 2 0
 @BenPea: The more common noun usage of upset would refer to an unexpected win. While possible, the more likely scenario is confusing the genitive+noun with a simple subject+be verb+adjective clause. In any case, it looks as though the letter has been edited and upset is now an adjective. It would've been preferable to indicate that the error was made by the original author by using the latin term sic.
  • 4 0
 @autechre: your fondness for confusingly intricate and unconventional beats only strengthens your argument, which is inarguable and had already entered my mind, but I was hoping nobody would notice. An occupational hazard for advocates of the devil.
  • 3 0
 @BenPea: Let us bask in the glory that neither of us have appeared to have fallen into the all too common trap of the commission of grammatical inaccuracies in the very passage of which one has elected to demonstrate the linguistic failings of others.
  • 2 0
 @autechre: Indeed, nobody likes a self-building glass house. Hang on... "commission"?
  • 1 0
 You missed this gem:

"Although I understand your frustration, and your feelings too, *this do* not change the position of the EWS ..."
  • 1 2
 @iammarkstewart: just want to point out that you got schooled on English grammar by someone with a French flag next to their name
  • 2 0
 @chriscowleyunix: mmm not really...
  • 2 0
 @chriscowleyunix: What does that even mean? #noflagguy
  • 14 2
 you realize that everyone on pinkbike will now go out an buy Alphamine formula.
  • 8 1
 Cocain is way better
  • 3 6
 Cocaine may be better but being immortal can kill you. Alphamine yes...
  • 2 1
 @NotNamed: till your heart explodes mid ride but totes worth it
  • 3 0
 @NotNamed: Stopped and chatted to a guy buzzed off his face one time at my local trails, judging speculatively purely off appearance and demeanour it looked as though he was on Speed/Meth or similar, seemed nice enough albeit very irratic, he then proceeded to over take us twice on a steep climb, part of a 6-7km loop with no shortcuts....

Whatever he was on, I want some!
  • 9 0
 Thought - If you read the whole Instagram post from Richie it could be read simply saying that Sedona and the Cactus etc. there is very different from where he will be riding soon (ie. #notrotorua).
  • 5 1
 He also told us he won't be in Rotorua. It could be that he changes his mind now that the EWS has made this statement, though.
  • 1 0
 @brianpark: Thanks for clarifying.
  • 11 0
 shoulda stuck with beer, tequila and cheeseburgers...
  • 3 2
 Yeah, those abs would get HUGE
  • 2 0
 And tacos! Can't forget the tacos! Big Grin
  • 2 1
 Quickest way to the (porcelain) podium!
  • 1 0
 Get it how I live
  • 2 1
 Hormones in the conventional market meat can get you dinged for doping...
  • 11 2
 So if Rude gets stripped of the win, and Dailly's the new winner, then does that mean the winner of the Olargues Fantasy Comp also gets redone? Razz
  • 8 1
 I still remember taking a break between trails in Connecticut and seeing some clown in full Yeti kit on an SB6c come down the fire road, only to realize it was Richie as he turned onto the trail in front of me and shot off. I never did see him again. God damn rocketship.
  • 9 0
 What about the other athletes that tested positive? In the original story it said there weren't the only ones to test positive.
  • 1 1
 That isn't what the original article said. There's nothing confirmed that any other athletes tested positive, although it's possible. The AFLD will not comment publicly on it at this time.
  • 6 0
 @brianpark It seems like it would be helpful to have clarification from the EWS about the change in their stance on doping. There was a clear statement in the first couple of rule books stating a zero tolerance policy towards doping and a lifetime ban for failing a test for any reason. Their stance now seems to be that the EWS needs to be a neutral party and let the process be handled under WADA guidelines. That may be valid, but when, why, and how did that change?
  • 19 11
 I guess I don't really care. I just want to see Jared and Richie riding bikes. More videos and highlights, less drama! #mtblife #strengthforjared #richiesmash
  • 6 0
 There's no chance that the amounts left inside a reused bottle that had been washed between uses would contain enough to register, that dilution series just hold water. So to speak. If they were sharing bottles, guess what, at least one of them is responsible. Whether they were aware it was banned or not is another matter. But not that one that's important because athletes are responsible for what they ingest irrespective of whether they are aware of the contents of not. That it's an incredibly quick acting metabolite is handy if you're a sportsman, eh. It's pro sport, it's big business, you're either super careful about everything you ingest, or an idiot, or a cheat.
  • 8 3
 Anyone know why Richie isn't coming to Rotorua? Scared of the possibility of rain? (It's looking wet-ish next week leading into it - and by that I mean each day has a prediction of rain for nine of the next ten days), or can we speculate this is a self admission / self banning / avoiding the media? To be fair, I doubt too many here in NZ would make much of a song or dance about it, i.e. I doubt that he would be jeered or anything like that for being a "cheat".
  • 7 4
 CAN we speculate? Of course!

SHOULD we speculate?

.....
  • 11 1
 I would guess that by not racing he'll ask that his ban will be retroactive to the last time he raced or the start of this season so in the long run he'll have less time off the bike
  • 3 0
 You gonna do it, do it right, cocaine...kinda like the song! Pro's are gonna be pros! Either they are mechanically doping or taking performance enhancing drugs! The once that do't get caught wins, they usually quit early during top of their game, then come back again when they are clean and just post mediocre finishes for Marketing Photo ops!
  • 2 0
 Have even one example of somebody who has done even close to what you describe in mtb history?
  • 7 0
 So, the update is that there is no update at all?
  • 3 0
 Getting back to the asthma topic, I've found out that the amount in the urine has to be on a level equaling to 16 shots of inhalator (ventoline, berodual, whatever) to get busted. Me being an asthmatic I should use like two shots two times a day in need.... 16 shots per enduro race they would gimme big advantage with no doubts..
  • 3 0
 The following ad brought to you by Genesis Nutrition.
Are you tired of not getting raging hardon’s?
Do you want to ride like Ritchie Rude?
Try our new Alphamine Express!!!!!
  • 14 8
 who in the hell shares a water bottle? much less top of the line athletes?
  • 19 0
 The SB6 doesn't have a bottle cage, so...
  • 5 3
 Anyone who has a friend who runs out of water on a hot day?
  • 3 1
 Two sides- were I an athlete in the EWS who worked my ass off (like I think most do) and had gambled at dedicating my time towards a profession in this highly competitive sport that doesn't nearly have the deep pockets of other sports and then by a narrow margin got beat by someone suspected of using drugs that potentially gave them an edge I would be pissed. those wins equal contracts and the value of those contracts. that's someone's livelihood and future. The other side is Jared and Richie have always been excellent ambassadors for the sport and I hope there was no intention to do wrong. As a human they deserve a fair accounting by those with the expertise and information to give that accounting. Either way I hope it gets sorted with transparency and equity and in a way that moves the sport forward.
  • 1 0
 Richie's latest instagram video has him asking if a case redbull can be a carry-on so Maybe he's decided to compete in Rotorua now?

If I was him I could see reason to not go to the first even of the season thats also connected to the PRO's disneyland known as CRANKWORX....
Lots of pressure for interviews and what not cant imagine it would feel good going there to race with so much pent up coverage wants from all the websites and media outlets.
  • 4 8
flag WAKIdesigns (Mar 12, 2019 at 12:08) (Below Threshold)
 He could turn it around by not competing this year, especially if it would turn out that he is innocent. That would gain him lots of sympathy. I can assume not racing would have been tough for him, but he can still ride and inspire people by starting some online thing. Vlog, insta, podcast, whatever. He can follow to the races without competing, maybe comment. We humans are a malleable pulp. 10% lovers, 10% haters, 80% of average good folks. Life is not just about bikes, have some good times as long as you can put food on the table. See the good side of each situation, turn it into opportunity.
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: Viable option for sure.... but his multiple different sponsor's Contracts may say otherwise....
  • 2 4
 @TheBearDen: why? If he was injured it would be the same. He can say he is doing it for the good of the sport and still represent them in other ways as I mentioned. If he is proven innocent? Jackpot!
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: I like the idea of him not racing the whole year and just do instructional stuff with kids instead, try to get more of the kids into enduro.
  • 4 1
 Why does it take the doping agencies so long to make a decision? They have 2 samples to test if both are positive what else is there to do?
  • 1 0
 Same reason it's taking Mueller so long to nail Trump. A good investigation leaves no stone unturned, covers all bases and sees all angles.
  • 2 0
 And this is why if this supplement is a cause is so tough to swallow.. look how hard it is to buy.

www.amazon.com/Physique-Enhancing-Science-Alphamine-Supplement/dp/B00HG14OJE
  • 1 0
 It's just fruit punch mix! Wink
  • 4 1
 There is no better way for Rude to get the public back behind him than choose to not race until the investigation is finished and sanctions are made.
  • 3 0
 If Redbull give you wings, PE Science gives you a heart transplant 320mg of caffeine and 2000mg of taurine!!!!

Jared its on crack or what???
  • 5 1
 Still waiting for Jared and Richie to blame dick pills for the positive test.
  • 1 4
 You really think those guys need those pills? Wink Razz
  • 1 0
 Arnt you glad EWS decided to include the WADA and UCI testing provision and third party, we don't want to be involved, cant be involved, can we be involved, we going to be guided by......from "You Cheat, you test positive, you don't race eva again for the benefit of the sport, EWS has a No Tolerance policy."

Can see now how joining UCI was the right thing for the athletes, viewers and sponsors.
  • 1 0
 Load of shite! Accidentally ingested me arse.
I was open for testing and was tested back in the day as an amateur and I remember getting a bad chest infection .
I was prescribed an inhaler, I asked the doctor right there and then can they check if it was ok for sport , they told me in two minutes that it would fail a piss test. Then they give me loads of other options to proceed with! I was 16 and was worried failing a test and I wasn’t on some mega sponsored deal so I have a hard time believing theses boys!
That said if they is money to be made and no testing in place opportunists will prevale
  • 3 0
 I took so many drugs before I raced and still got last. I’m doing it wrong for sure. :-/
  • 9 4
 I mean drugs are ok.
  • 15 15
 Sorry... but the EWS has to get their stuff figured out before they can hand down any sanctions what so ever. This entire situation is so backwoods it's not even funny. Figure it out. Use these 2 guys as an example as to why you need to get your stuff figured out. Write a concrete rule set with defined suspensions. Both of these guys are first timers and you know for damn sure a bunch of people are on the same or similar stuff so you know they're not the only ones out there. You can just random pop dudes. Get a top to bottom test in place. Rules in place. Then start handing out suspensions. For now. Take away any results from after the bad test. Let them start 2019 fresh.
  • 14 2
 Whatever - rules have been in place since day one of EWS - local federation handles doping. Simple and easy to understand.
In this case - AFLD caught Rude and Graves. Looks like they didn't need to test teh whole field to catch some cheaters.

They're both first timers? That is literally the weakest excuse i've heard in this stupid case. In your world muggers get off scot free if it's their 'first time'?

EWS doesn't want to handle the doping because it's god damn expensive. And the local federations are all better at it than a race organiser.
  • 5 3
 I'm all for punishing people. But in this particular situation I can't behind a huge suspension.

Every single organization has a first timers discipline level. So, it's not like this is alien. They can literally just consider them both suspended from the time of the test last year through to the first race of this year. That's a 6 month suspension. Lose all your results.

The reality is that they have not got their crap together as an organization. They don't want to deal with it and don't know how to deal with it right now. Not disciplining them sends a bad message but you also can't just make an example out of them for the sake of making an example. You'll just end up with another Lance Armstrong situation. Where everyone knows that everyone is freaking doing the same damn thing but one guy is getting tested more than everyone else and then everyone zero's in on that one person. All the while, their competition is still doing it. So it really does nothing to stop the problem.


Baseball is a great example. They zoned in on the big guys because it was obvious. So those guys are getting slammed while dudes coming up through the minors are juicing to the gills to try to get their shot. Damaging their health and their future while not being properly tested. Dudes are doing this crap all the damned time in all sports. Juice. Get paid. Get caught... oh well. Retire.

I don't want to see that happen in EWS. There is a correct way to do this. They have now officially caught 2 super stars. Suspend them. Then lay the ground work on how you're going to test EVERYONE the same amount of times randomly throughout the year. That way you're not saddled with having to test everyone at every event. But at least everyone knows they can get tested at any point in time at any event. Or after every event.

This is a unique situation. Saying they're both first timers is not an excuse. It's reality. Have they failed test before? You just said it's been in place since day 1. Ever failed? Interesting that they both failed on the same shit. Seems to support what they're saying. Comparing this to muggers is the weakest thing I've read today. LOL.


Hell first time muggers and first time murderers... same damn thing. Give em both life. Right. Same same. You stole a candy bar... ah damn... go to jail with that dude that just robbed a bank using an AR15. Same same.

This is why this becomes the type of issue it does. People just need to use common sense.
  • 3 0
 They'll get a warning about it and be under more strict testing because of this. its a lesson all EWS riders can take from
  • 4 2
 Specialized did not even realize that this article was about doping, not cancer. Why cannot they keep these 2 things separate.
  • 4 1
 Says the guy that doesn't realize that this Specialized statement is not related to this article and was issued a while ago...
  • 5 5
 Thought Enduro was the real riders competition form.. Ride up a few hills, time the fun stuff and have a few beers and a burger in the evening. Suddenly that EWS pro lifestyle went from being every mountain bikers dream, to a damn circus of paranoia where you have to check everything you eat, look over your shoulder in fear of someone spiking your "supplements"..
  • 5 1
 So the update is... no update.
  • 3 1
 Pure speculation, but you wonder if some sort of steroid could of caused Grave's cancer. That is possibility with L. Armstrong as well.
  • 1 0
 I don't think taking androgens is linked with cancer. There is a link to cardiac problems though. Estrogen is linked to some types of cancer, but I doubt anyone is using that as a PED.
  • 4 0
 Less emotions, more facts. Good decision.
  • 4 1
 It's hardly USPS doping, other teams are available.
  • 2 0
 Any update on how Jared is doing? The last article is from like back in September.
  • 5 0
 Follow his Instagram, @jaredgravesmtb. He gives updates from time to time. He's still riding, so that's good.
  • 3 0
 How could anything Peach Mango flavored be bad?...
  • 4 0
 Free Brock Tickle!
  • 1 1
 They literally took his career away over what? Some weed? Or was it some little element in a commonly available product?
It's so stupid.

A fair penalty in this case would be Graves to get a 1-3 race penalty and an economic penalty, and strictly a monetary penalty to Rude if all he really did was borrow a drink from his buddy when he ran out himself.
  • 2 0
 @SunsPSD: Brock Tickle? No. None of these guys are failed from weed. Performance enhancing drugs. If you guys think these penalties are over the top go see whats going on in the moto world. #freebrocktickle
  • 2 0
 Fim and uci are both useless tits
  • 2 0
 @SunsPSD: Bottled water is pretty hard to come by at professional bike races, every where you look riders are all, "Please sir, spare a drop of 'yo bottle?". I'm surprised Graves shared at all.
  • 1 0
 Lol sound like ryno got rhinoed.....those supplements look like something you can buy at vitamin shoppe....soooo what's the big deal?
  • 8 7
 Drugs? They say marijuana is a drug...I say its natures gift. Supplements I don't take...it doesn't grow naturally.
  • 7 0
 Higenamine is a natural product found in a variety of plants, so this supplement does grow naturally...
  • 6 1
 And the weed you smoke doesn't grow naturally either; it was selectively bred to have the qualities you enjoy today.
  • 2 1
 @spankthewan been to Nepal lately? Grows everywhere. Same effect as ‘selectively bred’!
  • 1 1
 @spankthewan: I'm talking about a plant that grows from soil sunlight and water
  • 1 1
 @ejhorn: supplements undergoes a process. I'm talking about a plant which does not involve a laboratory
  • 2 1
 @metong: Yes, and then you have to activate it using heat, fats, or alcohol in order for it to affect you.
  • 1 0
 @professed: Duh, everyone on this sites been to Nepal at least 2 or 3 times in the last week alone. I'm going to cruise by there later tonight for some goat's milk. And weed.
  • 3 2
 I hate that the only thing I took away from the EWS statement is that someone spell-checked and didn't proofread
  • 4 2
 The only way you can go downhill is if you get high first
  • 2 1
 Whatever the outcome both incredible riders with sponsor support, bans if they happen mean nothing it appears.
  • 2 0
 they just smoked some weed, its all good
  • 2 0
 Just one more reason that I only ride park.
  • 2 0
 its a shit business...glad am out of it...
  • 1 0
 I can't think of a better job in the world than racing enduro.
  • 1 0
 Drugs was happening before EWS....XC, and Cyclocross have major issues with drugs and mechanical doping to date!
  • 1 0
 Apparently there are any hardly any drug tests at world cup cyclocross races.
  • 4 1
 Thanks Lance
  • 2 1
 I'm would not pass a drug test either....way to many pizza's and snicker bars in my system. Damn sweet tooth genetics.
  • 2 0
 Literally “all the GEAR, no idea”
  • 1 1
 One thing on this a good rider been out. Protest of big money behind bike brand company on this . RR make sports like easy pee zee every stage . So they make this test shit
  • 3 0
 #gameover
  • 1 0
 Not much to see here; Couple of ho's who sold out the second they thought it would get them more cash.
  • 1 0
 Cheaters... they know better, yet they took that supplement crap to ride faster.
  • 2 1
 @MrEtnie 2 riders, 1 bottle?
  • 2 1
 Watch Icarus on Netflix.... an eye opener into these situations
  • 1 0
 Can someone just tell me which drugs I should be taking?
  • 2 3
 Who thinks there are better things to worry and right about!! I sure do lets see some more fest highlights or some dope dj edits!
  • 3 2
 yup, sounds exactly like jocks racing bikes!
  • 1 0
 Happened in France suspect , toss the case out !!!
  • 1 0
 Cant wait for this to be over with. What a stupid distraction.
  • 4 3
 Innocent until proven guilty
  • 1 0
 Ohhhbim going to find some of that stuff!
  • 1 2
 make it legal to take whatever you want otherwise the deepest pockets will always have access to the supplements which leave the smallest traces.
  • 1 0
 Uh oh Eek looking forward to the outcome of this!
  • 1 0
 Does anyone else have the same opinion as me? Let them do drugs/ WGAF?
  • 3 3
 Popcorn, get yer popcorn here!
  • 1 1
 Sound like ryno power tryna come up with any excuse LOL
  • 1 1
 I hope he will race again soon, good luck Richie!
  • 5 7
 Bull Sh!t! Cheating b@stards... Not a shock to anyone in the know when this was clicked!

Banned forever! see Ya!
  • 4 7
 Only one thing to do...ban them for life...make them an example.
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