Is Cycling Really Trying to Clean Up Its Image?

I know this isn’t exactly news, but I never got around to writing about it last year. Anyway, here’s what makes me ask:

1) The Amgen Tour of California. Who the Hell decided it was a good idea to have a stage race sponsored by, and named for, a pharmaceutical company? And this is not just any pharmaceutical company, this is the company that makes Aranesp (Darbepoetin alfa) and EPOGEN (Epoetin alfa). Anemia-fighting wonderdrugs, Godsend to those suffering the effects of kidney disease or chemotherapy; but also two of the tools of choice for win-at-all-costs blood-boosting cheaters?

2) Having Arnold Schwarzenegger, who admits to using steroids during his career as a body-builder, present the leaders jersey during the aforementioned “Tour of California.” Sure he’s the Governor, but PR-wise, distancing itself from admitted dopers couldn’t possibly be a bad thing for the race or for the sport as a whole.

Honestly! Who else do they have lined up for post-race festivities? Squeaky clean San Francisco Giants left fielder, Barry Bonds?

The good news is this: The racer receiving the jersey from the Governator was Levi Leipheimer, thus giving me an excuse to amuse myself by saying “John Jacob Levi Leipheimer Schmidt” as often as possible.