23.6.09
16.6.09
Not Many
The title sums up my recent posts. I have come across lots of interesting stuff lately, but for one reason or another, I have decided not to post about.
Zerohedge always has interesting posts as does Abnormal Returns. Zerohedge provides some of the best insight I have come across in recent memory. I am amazed at the volume of posts over there. Abnormal Returns collects a bunch of links that are varied enough to almost always have something interesting.
On the economy front, I think I am still bearish overall. With the stock market recovering, a lot of people thought we were out of the woods. I still think that we will need to see the job destruction slow down before we really start making any actual headway. I think the price of oil is too high and so is the price of natural gas. The CAD/USD FX rate overshot. I think the CAD should be in the 1.16-1.20 range. If it appreciates too much it hurts Canada's recovery because exports in USD will be relatively high.
On the cycling front, not a ton going on. The Dauphine just finished and the Tour of Switzerland is going on. Both are used as final tune ups for the Tour. I guess there is some unrest over at Astana. Contador views Armstrong and Levi as adversaries and Val Verde has said he would help Contador in a sort of Spanish solidarity thing.
But that could all be moot if Astana's money runs out. And that could happen today. Apparently, they need to have a sizable chunk of change in the banks as a deposit for the second half of the season, but if they do not, that could be all folks.
Zerohedge always has interesting posts as does Abnormal Returns. Zerohedge provides some of the best insight I have come across in recent memory. I am amazed at the volume of posts over there. Abnormal Returns collects a bunch of links that are varied enough to almost always have something interesting.
On the economy front, I think I am still bearish overall. With the stock market recovering, a lot of people thought we were out of the woods. I still think that we will need to see the job destruction slow down before we really start making any actual headway. I think the price of oil is too high and so is the price of natural gas. The CAD/USD FX rate overshot. I think the CAD should be in the 1.16-1.20 range. If it appreciates too much it hurts Canada's recovery because exports in USD will be relatively high.
On the cycling front, not a ton going on. The Dauphine just finished and the Tour of Switzerland is going on. Both are used as final tune ups for the Tour. I guess there is some unrest over at Astana. Contador views Armstrong and Levi as adversaries and Val Verde has said he would help Contador in a sort of Spanish solidarity thing.
But that could all be moot if Astana's money runs out. And that could happen today. Apparently, they need to have a sizable chunk of change in the banks as a deposit for the second half of the season, but if they do not, that could be all folks.
9.6.09
Almost
It was not quite what I was looking for, but Toni Colom tested positive (Katusha) for EPO in an out of competition test in April. I do not think he raced in the Giro, so this is not what I was thinking in my previous post.
Interestingly, news broke earlier this week that Katusha wanted its riders to sign an agreement that stipulated that they would pay 5 times their salary to the team if they tested positive. I wonder if Colom had signed yet, I wonder if it is retro-active.
Today also saw a statement from Bernard Kohl regarding his doping protocol from the past few years. I have to say that it is refreshing to see someone be so honest and forthright about this side of cycling. His nonchalant attitude is a bit worrisome, as are his accusations that everyone is on something, but who knows...maybe he is right.
Interestingly, news broke earlier this week that Katusha wanted its riders to sign an agreement that stipulated that they would pay 5 times their salary to the team if they tested positive. I wonder if Colom had signed yet, I wonder if it is retro-active.
Today also saw a statement from Bernard Kohl regarding his doping protocol from the past few years. I have to say that it is refreshing to see someone be so honest and forthright about this side of cycling. His nonchalant attitude is a bit worrisome, as are his accusations that everyone is on something, but who knows...maybe he is right.
4.6.09
I Am Waiting
The Giro D'Italia ended on Sunday. All in all it was a pretty exciting race: lots of attacking on the climbs, unusual stages, drama and weather all added to the mystique. The only thing missing was positive drug tests.
I'm not an expert in testing procedures, but I think roughly 6 riders get tested per day: the top 3 finishers of each stage and 3 random riders. So after 21 stages that is just over 120 tests. And no positives. Could it be that the guys taking drugs could not win a stage? Or is there another generation of drugs that are under the radar?
I have a hard time believing everyone in the professional peleton is clean. I wish that was not the case, but at least this sport is taking a hard line approach.
I'm not an expert in testing procedures, but I think roughly 6 riders get tested per day: the top 3 finishers of each stage and 3 random riders. So after 21 stages that is just over 120 tests. And no positives. Could it be that the guys taking drugs could not win a stage? Or is there another generation of drugs that are under the radar?
I have a hard time believing everyone in the professional peleton is clean. I wish that was not the case, but at least this sport is taking a hard line approach.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
