Comments on: Zirbel’s A sample positive for exogenous DHEA

By: HZee

HZee — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:49:10 +0000

I think that he would not be dumb enough to take steroids or anything else knowingly, since he is most likely tested on a regular basis, but I do know it’s not random. So he most definitely knew he was going to be tested. I don’t think he would have taken steroids knowing this.
He was at the peak of his health and the height of his career at the moment, I don’t think he would have risked all he had by taking anything when he was known to do just as well when he tested negative.
I have no idea what it is that made him test positive, but I am pretty sure he wouldn’t have done whatever it was on purpose.

By: MavicMotoGuy

MavicMotoGuy — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 18:16:44 +0000

I’m with you Lynn.
I think this is an inadvertent positive. Like Scott Moniger, Phil Z, Amber Neben etc.
Tyler knew it was banned, saw it on an ingredient list, and took it anyway ?!
It is reputedly of very little doping value.
He’ll still get screwed.

By: thek2

thek2 — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 02:58:01 +0000

I agree with Lyne.

By: Name

Name — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 18:50:49 +0000

Well, whether intentional or not, everyone in the sport has been well aware of the circumstances for unintentional ingestion for quite some time. Zajicek was a warning to everyone after his China positive. Since then, the suspensions have been more punitive. USA Cycling will have no choice but to give him 2 years from the date of the positive if his B sample contains DHEA also.
Of course the line between testing positive and racing clean is extremely fine. Many things do help us perform better but are part of our daily lives such as caffeine. However, even if Tom is by definition racing clean and took a supplement that contained DHEA, he acted foolishly. Any limited gain given by general over the counter supplements is not worth the hassle given the potential consequences of contamination. His career is likely over because he may have bought protein powder rather than eating an egg. We can all race without these pills and powders. Their benefits aren’t enough to put on a banned list, so save your money and buy a delicious steak instead (assuming it isn’t full of cow steroids:)

By: lyne

lyne — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 18:13:38 +0000

Well maybe it makes me naive but I do believe that Tom did not intentionally take DHEA. Of course wrestled with that given the history of that sport but I have to go with my belief – publicly.

By: Name

Name — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 08:43:47 +0000

Zirbelicious got caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Even more interesting since he has a chemistry background, but never heard of DHEA?

I agree don’t let the good guy personas fool you.

By: The Truth Hurts

The Truth Hurts — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 04:26:24 +0000

I hope we don’t hear “Oh, it couldn’t possibly be true. Tom’s such a nice guy.”

Well, nice guys dope.

Just ask Tyler Hamilton, David Miller, Floyd Landis, Jonathan Vaughters, Frankie Andreu, etc.

By: Josh

Josh — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 04:09:24 +0000

Well, that makes sense as to why he was left off the roster. Damn.