Clinger banned for life

[fiamme red]

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/clinger-given-lifetime-ban-for-second-doping-infraction

David Clinger has been handed a lifetime ban by the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) after testing positive for the second time in June of this year. Already nearing the end of the two-year suspension he had received for his first offence in 2009, Clinger tested positive for clenbuterol in an out-of-competition test on June 29.

Time for him to leave cycling behind and get on with his life.

http://velonews.competitor.com/files/archive/images/ClingertattooRC3408-097.jpg

[johnnymossville]

He should have done want Contador did, blame the beef.

[AngryScientist]

it was the beef.

http://animalcentral.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/cow1.jpg

[avalonracing]

That image is so big that it just made my computer explode.

[Joachim]

My scroll button can't go that far....

[flydhest]

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=mash+klinger&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=40g&sa=X&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1920&bih=920&tbm=isch&prmd=ivns&tbnid=HP6snkYErRdacM:&imgrefurl=http://www.mamapop.com/2010/11/top-five-tv-moments-that-would-have-been-awesomer-with-zombies.html/mash-klinger&docid=WOVDtZE4nUUWLM&w=720&h=480&ei=jlNJTvHpCcjYgQedj-GqBg&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=46&page=1&tbnh=128&tbnw=171&start=0&ndsp=70&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0&tx=63&ty=64

[illuminaught]

sucks for him... he's somewhat limited himself professionally with the face tattoo... professional athlete or a tattoo artist.

[neiltron]

Is this proof that people with facial tattoos can still get jobs? :p

[cincicycles]

So why is Contador's case taking so long? Hmmmm.....

[johnnymossville]

So why is Contador's case taking so long? Hmmmm.....

from the responses here, maybe it's because contador doesn't have tattoos on his face?

[fiamme red]

So why is Contador's case taking so long? Hmmmm.....Clinger admitted that he used Clenbuterol as a performance enhancer.

[54ny77]

seriously, how screwed up in the head does one have to be to not only get those facial tattoos, but to dope and still be essentially pack fill?

talk about game over, time to hit the reset button.

strange sport, this cycling is....

[Kontact]

Just curious: What sort of reach does a US agency have? Or does the UCI have an agreement to enforce the USADA's findings?

[fiamme red]

seriously, how screwed up in the head does one have to be to not only get those facial tattoos, but to dope and still be essentially pack fill?And to be busted for doping while he's still suspended from racing.

[54ny77]

that cow picture is awesome though. :beer:

[GregL]

There was a very good article on Clinger in the May 2009 issue of VeloNews. His demons were depicted as being far worse than PED use for cycling. He has been battling addiction for years. Another good article:

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705313453/Behind-the-mask-Bicyclist-has-long-uphill-ride-to-get-back-to-the-top.html?pg=1

Before labeling him, perhaps take a read and get a feel for what he has been dealing with. Combine substance addiction tendencies with the pressure cooker world of pro cycling and you have a recipe for disaster.

-Greg

[fourflys]

seriously, how screwed up in the head does one have to be to not only get those facial tattoos, but to dope and still be essentially pack fill?

talk about game over, time to hit the reset button.

strange sport, this cycling is....


well, if you read about his history he was in a dark time of his life...

"there but for the grace of God, go I" come to mind...

[BumbleBeeDave]

. . . wonder about him . . . :eek:

BBD

[54ny77]

just read it, thanks for the link.

sounds like maybe he needs to get far, far away from cycling.

well, if you read about his history he was in a dark time of his life...

"there but for the grace of God, go I" come to mind...

[fourflys]

just read it, thanks for the link.

sounds like maybe he needs to get far, far away from cycling.

agree... it's always amazes hearing about pro athletes turning to substance abuse... I've read that the thrill of winning is so addictive to some that they have to find it somewhere else when they are no longer on top... probably another reason some turn to PED's... have to keep that high...

[Germany_chris]

Some of us have baggage that we just don't know how to cope with...we're not all so gifted as to know what and when we need something...hopefully now he backs away and finds some peace!

[BumbleBeeDave]

Some of us have baggage that we just don't know how to cope with...we're not all so gifted as to know what and when we need something...hopefully now he backs away and finds some peace!

That's why people dive into a million and one different things to try and cope with it--and some of them don't work. I hope he finds one that does because what he has tried so far obviously doesn't work.

BBD

[Germany_chris]

That's why people dive into a million and one different things to try and cope with it--and some of them don't work. I hope he finds one that does because what he has tried so far obviously doesn't work.

BBD

I agree!!

[gianni]

I like what Greg L said! Cycling although europhoric and be humbling too. People tend to trivialize substance abuse but it's difficult and complex. I've lined-up with Dave and he was always friendly and approachable. I wish him the best and hope that he can turn-it-around. IMHO: there are a lot of folks that can remedy difficulty with the simple pleasure of a bike ride...

[Pizzaguy]

Why didn't he just put a stocking on his head. It would have been a lot cheaper and painless.

[Jack Brunk]

Why didn't he just put a stocking on his head. It would have been a lot cheaper and painless.
Pizzaguy,

After speending 5 days in norcal, you must be kidding about a stocking as I felt I was the dude above San Fran who wasn't covered with tats. I took my wife to the Russian River Brewery for some awesome Pliny the Elder and we were the only people in the joint that wasn't covered from head to toe with tats. I would tat up though for the Pliny on the tap if I lived there. A truly exceptional IPA.

[BumbleBeeDave]

After seeing your bike building habits I doubt you'd REALLY be willing to do this unless you could completely change all the tats every three weeks! :p

BBD

[forrestw]

Pizzaguy,

After speending 5 days in norcal, you must be kidding about a stocking as I felt I was the dude above San Fran who wasn't covered with tats. I took my wife to the Russian River Brewery for some awesome Pliny the Elder and we were the only people in the joint that wasn't covered from head to toe with tats. I would tat up though for the Pliny on the tap if I lived there. A truly exceptional IPA.
+1 tattoos not required

Pliny is the bomb, I'm heading to the Sierras for rock climbing in sept and looking forward to RR brews in sf after :beer:

[Hawker]

According to this he was removing the tattoo and on his way off of drugs. Sad to see he wasn't off of all drugs. Very sad...for him and his family.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/clinger-back-on-track-at-tour-of-utah

[BumbleBeeDave]

. . . but I don't think something that extensive is going to be coming off totally. Any tattoo experts here? Does he really stand a chance of getting rid of all of it?

BBD

[fiamme red]

. . . but I don't think something that extensive is going to be coming off totally. Any tattoo experts here? Does he really stand a chance of getting rid of all of it?

BBDThink before you ink! Clinger obviously didn't. :crap:

[yngpunk]

Certain colors are more easily removed than others. Black and red tattoos are the easiest to remove. Orange, yellow, pink, purple, brown, and other shades are slightly more difficult to remove. The most difficult colors to remove are light green, light blue, and teal/turquoise. The most difficult colors may not be able to be faded down completely.

Density of the ink shading in a tattoo will also effect the ability to be removed, and the black ink on his facial tattoos don't look that dark, so while not easy, he may have a chance. Going to be a more painful process than getting the initial tattoo.

When I was getting ink, it was hard to find a reputable tattoo artist who would do facial tattoos, esp. to the extent that Clinger has. Most reputable tattoo artists I know of won't do facial tattoos, not only because of the increased difficulty of doing them well, but also the psychological aspects involved for the person getting them. Clinger says that he got his facial tattoo finished for $100 post Webcor, so probably a job not well done, and therefore potentially easier to remove.

[Germany_chris]

Certain colors are more easily removed than others. Black and red tattoos are the easiest to remove. Orange, yellow, pink, purple, brown, and other shades are slightly more difficult to remove. The most difficult colors to remove are light green, light blue, and teal/turquoise. The most difficult colors may not be able to be faded down completely.

Density of the ink shading in a tattoo will also effect the ability to be removed, and the black ink on his facial tattoos don't look that dark, so while not easy, he may have a chance. Going to be a more painful process than getting the initial tattoo.

When I was getting ink, it was hard to find a reputable tattoo artist who would do facial tattoos, esp. to the extent that Clinger has. Most reputable tattoo artists I know of won't do facial tattoos, not only because of the increased difficulty of doing them well, but also the psychological aspects involved for the person getting them. Clinger says that he got his facial tattoo finished for $100 post Webcor, so probably a job not well done, and therefore potentially easier to remove.

From what I have read, it's not really reputation it's stigma. They don't particularly want to do facial tattoos or piercings until a person has live with other defining obvious art. If I were the artist I don't think I could do that on a person that had not delt with the societal repercussions of other body art. in other words don't come see me unless you know what you are doing and can hang with the derision.

[fiamme red]

There was a very good article on Clinger in the May 2009 issue of VeloNews. His demons were depicted as being far worse than PED use for cycling. He has been battling addiction for years. Another good article:

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705313453/Behind-the-mask-Bicyclist-has-long-uphill-ride-to-get-back-to-the-top.html?pg=1

Before labeling him, perhaps take a read and get a feel for what he has been dealing with. Combine substance addiction tendencies with the pressure cooker world of pro cycling and you have a recipe for disaster.

-GregThis video was interesting: http://www.deseretnews.com/video/1292/Behind-the-mask.html.

I think that his friends who advised him to restart his pro cycling career weren't doing him any favors.

[csm]

my first thought when reading the title was.... who is clinger on here and what did he post?

[HJR]

my first thought when reading the title was.... who is clinger on here and what did he post?

I thought the same thing. HAHA!

[davidlee]

IIRC he started the removal process a while back, and then decided to have it re-done about halfway thru. Not bright and that's coming from me and I'm pretty heavily tattooed myself.

I'm with ya that given the fact that the guy has very little work on his other body parts, I have to question the artist who did it , the first ( and second) time around , knowing what kind of commitment that is to have your entire face done. Unless you are a rockstar, pornstar, or a tattoo artist , you are pretty muched effed with the whole face covered.
Thats gonna be a PAINFUL process getting that lightened..
dl

[retrogrouchy]

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/clinger-given-lifetime-ban-for-second-doping-infraction

David Clinger has been handed a lifetime ban by the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) after testing positive for the second time in June of this year. Already nearing the end of the two-year suspension he had received for his first offence in 2009, Clinger tested positive for clenbuterol in an out-of-competition test on June 29.

Time for him to leave cycling behind and get on with his life.

http://velonews.competitor.com/files/archive/images/ClingertattooRC3408-097.jpg

Sad. Bad decisions, bad advice, ergo bad outcomes.