This may have been raised already but I got to thinking last night about the various permutations in the unlikely event of Ullrich and Basso being cleared of any wrong doing in connection with Operation Puerto. It's difficult to ascertain just how damning the evidence the authorities have on these two riders, but it is not beyond the realms of possibility that the evidence could be insufficient to get a 'conviction'. If that happens, and Ullrich and Basso are free to continue racing, I would suggest that they have a pretty strong case to sue for loss of earnings, libel, unfair dismissal, and slander. I'm no lawyer, but it seems to me that both riders have lost a huge amount of credibility and earnings (not to mention potential earnings in the future) as a result of sponsors, teams and authorities acting on what is essentially circumstantial evidence. Has anyone else also considered this?

The problem is once they try the lawsuit route it would open them up to a lot more potentially damning evidence being exposed in court - same reason Lance never sued L'Equipe.

I believe their contracts also include clauses agreeing to follow the ProTour ethics code and since the decision to exclude them was made in accordance with those rules they are probably in an uphill battle from the start.

Based on what has come out of Italy I think Basso is a free man almost guaranteed. On the other hand Swiss officials don't seem at all friendly toward Ulle's cause.

but isn't Basso still offically on the team but just not racing. Therefore he's still getting paid. Another word, he's on administered leave w/ pay. Is this correct?

It's difficult to ascertain just how damning the evidence the authorities have on these two riders, but it is not beyond the realms of possibility that the evidence could be insufficient to get a 'conviction'.

These cases are looking like the old days where the National Federations will control the outcome since WADA isn't involved (yet). Judging so far, Basso will be given a free ride by the Italian Federation regardless of what evidence is available. Ullrich probably won't be so lucky.

You're right, Basso has not been dismissed. According to Riis, "he's not suspended, he's just not racing," until this all has been sorted out one way or the other.

Ullrich, on the other hand, is in a lot of legal hot water -- a lot of "fraud" lawsuits filed agains HIM, etc.

The problem is once they try the lawsuit route it would open them up to a lot more potentially damning evidence being exposed in court - same reason Lance never sued L'Equipe.

Yes precisely. I see you have the ear of Lance himself as to why he didn't pursue more legal actions :idea: ; of which he pursued and was subjected to many as well. Therefore I doubt being "outed" was of concern to him.

Next conspiracy theorist. :Yawn: