Rotting Kayle

They say kale is good for you. In the cabbage family, it is known to be "a highly nutritious vegetable with powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties."

Apparently, Kayle Leogrande has never heard of his namesake vegetable as he chose to put other things in his body during his cycling career. He became the latest cyclists to be suspended for doping.

To no one's surprise, Leogrande denied the allegations and claimed he was targeted by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).

Velonews' Neal Rogers provided the details of Leogrande's case and suspension.

If you're still not swayed by the mountain of evidence against Kayle, then you need only to read between the lines of the reaction by Rock Racing's Owner, Michael Ball; the self-appointed advocate for cyclists against unfair anti-doping practices.

“Whenever a rider is suspended – be it for doping or any disciplinary issue – it brings negative attention to the sport that so many of us are working hard to cast in a positive light.”

“In Kayle’s case, knowing that several of the sport’s governing bodies were also conducting their own investigations, we felt it was not appropriate to prevent him from racing until a verdict was reached. USA Cycling and the UCI did not deny him the right to race. Rock Racing absolutely and unequivocally does not condone doping, but we do respect due process."

“The decision to not re-sign Kayle for the 2009 season had nothing to do with this case. It was based on performance."

Photo: Kyle Kuykendall