Jesus.

I was having a great rest day that came on the heels of a successful race for myself and for our team. We went for a nice ride through the countryside, had a team press conference that ended without one negative question. Then we had a good lunch. Heck, I didn't even mind the out-of-competition blood and urine tests that our team conducted.

Around 2:00 or so I took a nap and after about 30 minutes, I heard all this ruckus in the hall and my phone started to burp, gargle and ring.

What the hell is going on? I finally answered a call from the States of all places, and my friend was on the other line reading me the news. Amazing, in this day and age that someone from Boulder, Colorado, who works in the ski industry is giving me news from Pau, France, about cycling and about a race that I am in!

So Vino’ and Astana are gone. Obviously, I don't know any more than you at this point in time. I am sad and disappointed, because I thought of Vino’ as intelligent, charismatic champion. Then this happens.

I can say one thing positive, the system is working. Now two runner ups who deserved to win, have won, with Cadel in the TT and Kim yesterday. Both great riders and one that comes from a team with a strong anti doping program of T-Mobile. Of course, they never got to be on the podium like they deserved to be, but justice is being served.

What will tomorrow bring? Will it still be hard? Yes. Will there be doubt? Yes. Will I still race as hard as I have every other day? Yes. Can I do anything about these guys playing Russian roulette? No! And that is the most frustrating thing; we are at the mercy of the weak.

But the controls are working and there are many. I have been controlled on 13 different occasions this year from our team alone. They look for everything from blood transfusions, EPO, testosterone, HGH, reticulocytes… you name it. Then on top of that I have been controlled at races randomly a few times and by USADA at least three times at my home. That brings me up to about 20 times this year, so I have given my fair share of bodily fluid for the sport.

We don't lack tests and they are obviously working, weeding out cheaters and protecting the futures of the clean athletes.

Tomorrow is now coming fast and I need to get my head straight. It will be a beautiful stage nonetheless and the fans will still come out in droves to cheer on the riders as we try to scale the mountains in Spain and France… all of that despite today’s shock.

Cycling will always be a beautiful sport no matter how many people disgrace it. And the Tour de France will always be the headliner.