Well it just goes to show that you can?t please everyone I guess.   Following the tragic death of Andrei Kivilev in Paris Nice, riders, officials, health experts and fans began to call for the wearing of helmets to become mandatory in the pro peleton.   All, that it is, except for the fashion conscious within the bunch.   Last week I described how Laurent Brochard linked the ruling to being treated like ?children?.   Apparently Laurent is still searching for the latest ponytail accommodating helmet ? coming to a store near you soon!   And now this week the king of the slick look, Marco himself, has blasted the move.   ?If wearing a helmet was the best way to avoid accidents I?d make an effort but unfortunately I think riders will still die with or without a helmet?.   I guess you?re right Marco, the best way to avoid accidents is probably not to descend hanging off the back of your bike, no hands, bouncing your b***s off the back tyre as you seem intent on demonstrating at every available opportunity! <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /?>

Moving on from Marco via the link of the article, we arrive at the latest news of the Perpingnan ?pot belge? trial.   Subtle huh!   Twenty-six riders, team officials and Doctors are still being questioned over the alleged use of pot belge between 1997 and 2000 in the Pyrenees-Orientales and Rhone-Alpes regions of <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /?>
France.  Statements from the trial describe how a ?god father? - often a veteran rider, at post race parties, first initiated riders.   Once hooked on this lethal cocktail of amphetamines, cocaine and heroin, riders often found it hard to give it up even when they finished competing, ruining their personal life in addition to their career.   Details of EPO abuse have also come to light.   ?It was rather simple.   You went to
Andorra and even without a prescription, the pharmacist sold us EPO without a problem? commented one rider.   It?s a sad state of affairs when I have to write about drug abuse in our sport.   All I hope is that future generations learn from the mistakes of these riders and are educated as to the consequences of their possible actions.  

Following his spring success, Tyler Hamilton (Team CSC) has moved up to 7th place in the UCI standings.   Still leading is Eric Zabel (Team Telekom) with Lance Armstrong (US Postal presented by Berry Floor) (will their team name get even longer next year?) a close second.

Just in case Lance finds himself in a spot of bother in this years Tour, Johan Bruyneel has added the services of Manuel ?Triki? Beltran from
Team
Coast.  ?He will mesh with Roberta Heras and Jose Rubiera,? said Bruyneel.   Triki finished 11th overall in the 2000 Tour de France but has not won a race since the 1999 Tour of Catalunya for Banesto.   His first race for his new team will be the 55 ^th Criterium du Dauphine Libere following which