Some big words from the Manx Missile.<\/p>\n
Mark Cavendish has long been one of cycling\u2019s most recognizable figures. However, even he acknowledges that the shadow of Lance Armstrong still hangs over the sport. The American, stripped of his seven Tour de France titles in 2013, remains a constant reference point when discussing cycling\u2019s turbulent past.<\/p>\n
Astana suspend Miguel Lopez following link to drug trafficking investigation<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n Cycling endured decades of doping controversies. Following the Festina scandal, its apex was Armstrong\u2019s sophisticated cheating programme. Several investigations later deemed it one of the most elaborate in sporting history. The fallout sparked countless articles, documentaries, and books, and prompted sweeping reforms aimed at restoring the sport\u2019s credibility.<\/p>\n Bruyneel debunks popular doping myth from \u2018The Program\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n Speaking to TalkSPORT<\/a>, Cavendish, who is now retired, was asked whether cycling has truly moved on from the Armstrong era. He replied:<\/p>\n \u201cI think so. We\u2019ll never get away from our past as a sport, but cycling puts the time, effort, and money into combatting doping. There\u2019ll still be people who are caught for cheating, but it\u2019s not a way to succeed in cycling. That happens in all walks of life\u2014business, entertainment, sport. Where there\u2019s money, some people will cheat,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cI know that, fundamentally, I believe I\u2019ve raced in one of, if not the, cleanest sport in the world because they do the stuff to combat doping.\u201d<\/p>\n Tadej Poga\u010dar addresses doping suspicions<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n Cavendish debuted at the Tour de France in 2007. (After Armstrong\u2019s first retirement.) But he also spoke about Texan\u2019s influence on him as a young rider. \u201cHe was an idol growing up and very supportive when I was starting out. Of course, he gained more than anyone else from the sport, and he lost more too. But I could not have achieved what I did if cycling was still like it was in the past. Twenty years on, I can talk about my experiences openly, and I firmly believe I\u2019ve raced in one of the cleanest sports in the world because of the measures now in place.\u201d<\/p>\n Lance Armstrong on Poga\u010dar: \u2018I would advise him to keep a low profile\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n Cavendish\u2019s own achievements are monumental. He holds the record for most stage wins in Tour de France history and has claimed 165 career victories. cementing his status as arguably the greatest sprinter of all time.<\/p>\n Astana devo rider tests positive for CERA<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n