If It's Too Good To Be True ...

... it probably isn't true, not in the world of professional cycling, past or present. Latest example: Dutch prodigy Thomas Dekker, still only 24. Long considered one of the biggest talents of his generation, he won the Tirreno-Adriatico stage race in 2006, and the Tour of Romandie the following year, but last year he left Rabobank under a cloud. Strange things appeared to be happening with his blood values, and in addition the rider had been working independently with a controversial Italian doctor/coach--all things Rabo considered too risky after the Rasmussen affair of 2007. (There's another example of "too good to be true"). Yesterday it was announced that a second test of an out-of-competition urine sample from December 2007 revealed the use of EPO (dynepo). Dekker has responded (today, in the Dutch daily de Telegraaf) by saying that he feels he's being screwed: a retest just before the Tour de France, what's that all about? Interestingly, in this response he doesn't comment on his possible use of EPO (no denial, in other words). Interviewed on Dutch radio this morning, new national coach, former TI-Raleigh and Kwantum team member, and Amstel Gold Race organizer Leo van Vliet made sure to point out that Dekker so far only has been accused (B sample still to come, I suppose), but that if guilty, a two-year ban would be too lenient. According to Van Vliet, to play around with EPO at a time (2007, of all years) when cycling's reputation, indeed its survival, was at stake is terribly irresponsible. The Volkskrant this morning took it one step further, right at the beginning of its report on the matter: Dekker's career is probably over.