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| © AP Photo/Bas Czerwinski |
World-renowned American cyclist Lance Armstrong’s recent charges of cheating serves as a warning against doping in all sports, according to Mark Webber.
Having triumphed in the Tour de France a record seven consecutive times, the 41-year-old’s achievements were erased from the books and was handed a lifetime ban after he was found guilty of using performance enhancing drugs.
Webber expressed his disappointment that an athlete who had achieved legendary status was involved in the most systematic, professionalised form of cheating ever.
“I was a keen cyclist fan through the early 2000s. But slowly, slowly, slowly, over time lost a little bit of passion for the sport,” the Red Bull driver said.
“It has been quite obvious, in the last few years, that this was probably going to come, from people on the inside, but the damn wall has now broken and I think that obviously he was the last tree in the forest they wanted to drop down, and a big tree at that,” the Australian pointed out.
“It's good that they're trying to clean the sport up, and even retrospectively, it sends a message to lots of different sports that irrespective of what you've achieved and how you've done it at the time - first of all, it's a good message - the karma, we'll come and get you,” he added.
Fernando Alonso too is a fan of pedalling on two wheels, a regiment which most Formula 1 drivers opt for to train and keep fit.
"I love cycling, I love bicycles and sure Lance was more than another rider, he was some kind of idol for many people and inspiration for many of us and many media people in the world,” Alonso said. “It's not easy and I think he will remain an inspiration for many people, whatever happened, whatever the result. Not easy to put together all things.”