That's some quality research. I stand corrected 😅

Not insane to be prescribed something age 13 and not think twice about it when going to international competitions. Wouldn't be the first time.

In my far-fetched explanation scenario this would be a 'clueless junior doesn't even realize he's committing a doping-offense' situation rather than a 'young athlete knowingly tries to cheat' situation. I don't know much about the state of mental health care in Azerbaijan

Now the issue is that as an athlete you should be up to speed with the doping rules so it really isn't an excuse, just an explanation.

I think some form of speed is legit prescribed to people with ADHD. Not a stretch to think it might be this. Of course it could also be good old-fashioned doping. Just saying there is a slight possibility there's a less shady reason for the positive test.

Oh man, 20 riders left and Widar is isolated. No way he'll solve this by himself, either some team mates come back and control it for another two laps or Widar will not win this race. Very complicated situation they've created for themselves.

Given that you're in Norway I suggest a pair of ski's!

Yeah, obviously, but if Canyon choose not to speak out against this and therefore implicitly support this use of their bikes I'm happier without one of them

Obviously a brand has a right to support and sponsor anyone they like... Just like I have a right to not buy from said brand for any reason I like and I think this is a pretty good one

Aware? Yes, sort of. It's hard to keep track of all of them unfortunately 🫠

So yeah, I'd still say Israel at the moment has more of a bad taste than UAE, but it also partly is splitting hairs over the definition of genocide so maybe we, as a sport, should be harsher on teams like UAE, Jayco, Bahrain, etc.

I'm not an expert, but as my main point is the public image part of it I think the point still stands.
We in the west just don't seem to care as much about most conflicts outside of Europe as much as we care about Israel. Surely a consequence of WWII.

Bottom line is, it's both bad. I understand that we're slightly more upset about one over the other. In some way I don't understand there isn't more said about teams like UAE, Bahrain, and to a much lesser extent the Ineoses of the peloton but that's the world we live in, apparently

I don't think we're disagreeing on anything big.
My logic follows that if every human life is worth the same, then killing everyone indiscriminately is worse than oppressing 60% and killing only a few.
I'm also aware that I would be absolutely fine in the UAE whereas you wouldn't be.

My personal opinion is that both aren't great, but there are gradations. And the point of the tweet was mostly about public opinion which is not nearly as harsh on UAE's government than on Israel's government at this point in time.

And that in turn is worse than burning so much oil as to change the climate, but that's also a bit dependent on your world view.
But yeah, I think I can stand by the statement that genocide is worse than whatever the UAE government is doing.

In an ideal world UAE would be a no-go as well, but it's not and there are proportions to how moral it is to take money to ride a bike from different organizations. I reckon, generally, genocide is worse than oppressing women and minorities and restricting press freedom, etc.