an absolutely extraordinary statement from the race director of the world’s best stage race, Michele Acquarone, in response to the news of Santambrogio’s positive test that emerged like yet another flying bullet in the hide of pro cycling.

“Of course I’m not happy, but I’m not even surprised,” Acquarone said. “We all knew.”

We all knew.

is that a change in the current of the oceans i felt just then? did the earth move for you too?

“The nice thing is, the peloton is rebelling,” Acquarone continued. “The bunch no longer accepts certain things, and will point a finger, denouncing that what they say seems anomalous. First there are the voices, then the analysis to nail the cheaters.”

other riders have said that the rumors that attached themselves to the displays in form by Santa’s Little Helper and by Danilo ‘The Fluffer’ Di Luca were the talk of Giro Town in the first week.

which brings us to a question, one directly pertaining to my post earlier this week about doping on the Asian scene: at what point is it justified for riders to approach officials and to say ‘this guy is suspicious’?

it is interesting to note that inside the peloton – and in pelotons i’ve been in – riders openly speculate as to who might be doping. it’s not really a game of point the finger – in most cases there is a general agreement that yes, this guy’s power is unnatural. same in the ProTour peloton too, it appears. and when the director of the race is also going ‘hmmmmmmmmm!’ then, we are in one heck of a situation.

it’s another notch on the signpost, the one reading ‘Let Down By The UCWHY’. they can sit back and hail the Bio Passport a success, but with Armstrong going clear for so long and with riders still performing above their station, and, unlike the aforementioned Dopes, getting away with it, there are still more questions than answers out there.

think that it was just Di Luca and Santambrogio that the peloton thought were juiced? i very much doubt it.

The Big Mac yesterday sent out a harpoon in the direction of Cookson, his newest challenger to the UCI presidency. if only he was a timely in addressing the real challenge to the sport that is still eating away at its insides, he might have more support. if only the rules were in place to get rid of riders forever for a 2nd positive. and if only we could believe that riders could just ride, safe in the knowledge that the authorities were truly doing all they can to catch these cheats, and let everyone do the job they are paid to do.

if only.