UCI to initiate 4 year bans in '09

Pat McQuaid, president of the Union Cycliste International, the governing body of the sport of cycling, has announced plans to bring in 4 year bans for riders who willfully participate in doping. I, for one, think this is a fantastic idea, it seems the 2-year penalties are simply not enough deterrent. I'm not the biggest fan of McQuaid and the UCI recently, however, this is a good step forward in the battle against cheating. My only frustration with this is it's just a little too late to ensnare the Cobra Ricco, I really don't need to see his return in a couple of years. One of the loudest squeaky wheels in the bunch, Ricco displayed all the cockiness of a peacock while pretending he was pure and clean. Ricco has been handed down a 2 years suspension, but 4 seems like so much more.