This past week, we learned that ASO bought into a significant stake of Unipublic (49% to be exact), the organization that controls the Vuelta. This continues the negative trend in pro cycling as we see ASO becoming a monopoly in the sport. With ASO controlling a large number of the major races, they have effectively become the Microsoft of cycling. I see many similarities between ASO vs UCI and Microsoft vs all other software companies. Microsoft uses bullying tactics to get their way; ASO uses bullying tactics to get their way. Microsoft buys their competitors; ASO buys their competitors. But before we totally blame ASO (or Microsoft) for all of this mess, we have to consider how they became the Goliaths of their industries.

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Italian Alessandro Petacchi (Team Milram) was fired yesterday by his team after the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled against him when he tested positive during last year's Giro for high levels of salbutamol, an asthma medication. Although the court ruled that he may not have knowingly taken the high doses of the medication, he was punished anyways because those levels constituted a performance enhancement. Petacchi's suspension is set to end on August 31st of this year since the ban was retroactive to when he tested positive.

Although sad for Petacchi, STL supports Milram's decision as there should be zero tolerance even if only for a stupid error. Milram's decision is also one of politics. In order to be guaranteed into the sport's top races, it has to show the organizers they are serious about anti-doping. Knowing that Astana was barred from the Tour de France for, what most people think, is one of the strongest anti-doping programs in the sport, no team wants to give ASO any fuel for the fire. STL knows that ASO will jump at any opportunity for excluding a non French team from their races.

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Link: http://www.letleviride.com/

I received this email today from LetLeviRide.com. It reminded me that I had signed a petition to show my support towards letting Levi ride in this year's Tour de France. While it hasn't worked just yet, Astana's inclusion in this year's Giro is a good start. In my opinion, it will be hard for Astana to get entrance to this year's Tour by the simple fact that those cronies at ASO are just so stubborn. They care more about having a Frenchman win the Tour than having a legitimately competitive Tour that includes all of the contenders. I hate to say this, because I like Cadel Evans and Alejandro Valverde and any other contender in this year's Tour, but their win will forever be marked by an asterisk. The fans will never know how they would have fared against an in form Alberto Contador, Levi Leipheimer or Andreas Klöden.

With that said, I am a cycling fan. I will watch the Tour. There is nothing like it in the world and it is the cyclists that make the race. I will take nothing away from their efforts and hope the best man at the Tour wins cleanly.