When the subject comes to more drug testing in cycling, Bobby Julich says "bring it on."
Now there's the attitude of a man who truly loves his sport. Here's a guy who once finished third in the Tour de France (1998), was third in last year's initial Tour of California and is one of the biggest-name riders in America.
And yet he doesn't have the notoriety of Floyd Landis, who incidentally won last year's Tour of California before winning the Tour de France. And yet, even casual fans know Landis more because of his off-track battles to try and clear his name from doping charges that still threaten to take away his 2006 Tour de France title.
That's not the notoriety that Julich desires. Currently competing in the Tour of California, Julich wants cycling to clean itself up. He doesn't just talk the talk.
He was one of the first cyclists in line when drug testing increased among riders. Julich says he now gets tested 16 to 20 times a year.
"I'm 100 percent in favor of the out-of-competition tests," Julich, 35, said. "I understand not everyone is doping. We need to be transparent as we can be. There's going to be a time when riders say enough is enough (as far as testing).
"And yet, we need to make every effort to clean up the sport. I'm not worried about what has happened. I'm a believer in this sport and I want the fans to know that we are honest. We're doing more aggressive real testing. Cycling has made a huge effort. I hope the public believes us. Our credibility is shattered if these things keep happening."
Julich wasn't referring to any incident in particular. He's talking more as a knowledgeable cyclist and fan who wants to see the sport enjoy the popularity it has in Europe. And yet he knows that the public will take only so much bad news.
If the testing is flawed as Landis claims, Julich wants to know about it because it affects him as well as all cyclists. But if others are cheating to get an edge, he wants them caught and outed.
To Julich, reputation is everything. A family man with a wife and two young children, he has avoided the "limelight" that comes with a doping scandal. He knows it would be an awful legacy to leave for one in the twilight of his career. He knows it would be "debilitating to guys just starting out."
More than anything, he knows that it's wrong which is why he doesn't shy from the subject. If there wasn't something to the doping allegations, they would go away.
As it is, the cyclists have to make them go away or eventually the fans will disappear.
Marc David Marc David covers sports for South Valley Newspapers. Contact him at mdavid@svnewspapers.com.
POST A COMMENT
If you are under 13 years of age you may read this message board, but you may not participate.
Here are the full legal terms you agree to by using this comment form.
The Score: Baler football and boys and girls water polo
