This week, just before the start of the Giro d'Italia, the drama of the Operation Puerto drug scandal has kicked into gear once again. As ever, we're still awaiting actual proof that anyone specific did anything specific. Although, for a change, several riders are confessing their involvement. Sadly, many other riders are being dragged along, guilty or not, while this doping affair plods along at a retardedly slow pace. It was one year ago that the drama began.

New t-shirt slogan, perhaps?

Be a professional cyclist today
You're guilty until proven innocent

Ugh.

So anyway. I was saying something. Oh right, the latest round of casualties...

• Tyler Hamilton has been suspended from his team for non-descript "involvement" in Puerto. What did he do? Who knows. Maybe nothing. Who cares? Suspend him anyway. (May 10, 2007)
• Jorg Jaksche has also been suspended by his team (same team as Tyler, same details)
• Ruben Plaza and Constantino Zaballa have both been pulled from starting the Giro d'Italia because they're somehow linked to Puerto, although there are no details how. Who cares, just suspend them. (May 9, 2007)
• Michele Scarponi announced that he is code-name "Zapatero", therefore admitting some role in Puerto. He gave 10 pages of additional info, although it's all being kept secret for now. I guess we can take his announcement as an admission of guilt? (May 9, 2007)
• Ivan Basso also claimed a code-name ("I am Birillo", May 8, 2007), but assured us "it was only attempted doping". That doesn't sound fishy at all...
• and finally, Alejandro Valverde's blood shows traces of EPO in bags of blood that are code-named to him. I guess he's guilty, too. (May 7, 2007)

After a year of this silly, drawn-out drama, I officially care less about cycling and the Grand Tours, and find I'm only moderately interested in catching up on the latest drug scandal details.

At the end of the day, I really don't give a shit if any of the pros are taking drugs. Seriously. They all have access to the same stuff, the same fancy doctors, the same medical advantages - it's a level playing field. Just let them race and make it fun again. Most of the stuff the organizations and teams are trying to do against doping isn't working, because the cheaters can (and do) easily stay several steps ahead.