CyclingNews Road Rider Awards: 2006 vs 2007

I usually don't discuss cycling politics too much, but today CyclingNews released their 2007 Male Pro Road rider of the year results (as voted by readers), and it's a stark difference from 2006.

2006: http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/2006/awards06/?id=road_male

2007: http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/2007/awards07/?id=road_male

It's pretty dismal. The top ten of 2006 is basically a who's-who of dopers. Surreal to see all those famous names gone.

Of the carry-overs into 2007, Fabian Cancellara placed highest in 2006 at 9th, and finished 2nd this year. Only Leipheimer and O'Grady carried over to 2007 (from the bottom of the 2006 list), the rest are 'new' on the list (congrats to Cadel Evans for making the #1 spot.)

It's interesting that cycling is where the doping focus is, in professional sports. I'm not sure why that is, i can only imagine how much worse it is in football, baseball and hockey.

In a way, i'm glad that 'my' sport is getting cleaned up at least. There'll still be problems, of course, but it's becoming clear that riding clean is the way to go in cycling now. That's a lot more than we can say about other sports.

Noisy out. ;)