"The racing journey has been a thrill but the cycling journey will continue."

[David Martin]

Michael Barry calls time on his racing career.

http://www.teamsky.com/article/0,27290,17546_8054988,00.html

Just in time for the Armstrong fallout? Or was he one of the good guys...

[citoyen]

His name has been mentioned in connection with doping in the past but I assumed he was reitiring because he's no longer getting picked for the big races so has lost interest. He was only ever a journeyman domestique anyway - no incentive to keep slogging away into old age like Jens Voigt?

But yeah, since you mention it, retiring now is convenient for Sky - it measn they won't have to sack him if any firm allegations come to light.

d.

[Exit Stage Left]

His name has been mentioned in connection with doping in the past but I assumed he was reitiring because he's no longer getting picked for the big races so has lost interest. He was only ever a journeyman domestique anyway - no incentive to keep slogging away into old age like Jens Voigt?

But yeah, since you mention it, retiring now is convenient for Sky - it measn they won't have to sack him if any firm allegations come to light.

d.

The term 'Journeyman' sheds an interesting sidelight on the traditions of the Tour de France. The original Tour de France is a quasi-masonic trade association, from which 'Le Tour' derives some of its traditions. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compagnons_du_Tour_de_France
Barry could be seen to be an eternal journeyman, because he never completed a Tour de France, which defines a master.
I'm in the mood for this sort of thing. because this week is Preston Guild, which is one of the survivors of ancient craft traditions, and I'm down on my birth certifiacate as the son of a journeyman joiner, and as being born in the Fulwood district of Amounderness, which sounds way more romantic than the Sharoe Green Maternity Hospital.
http://prestonguild2012.com/

[citoyen]

Yes, I thought carefully about my use of the word "journeyman" there. There's a not-too-subtle insinuation of not being all that good, so I wondered if it was a bit harsh, but on reflection, I think not.

d.

[spesh]

His name has been mentioned in connection with doping in the past but I assumed he was reitiring because he's no longer getting picked for the big races so has lost interest. He was only ever a journeyman domestique anyway - no incentive to keep slogging away into old age like Jens Voigt?

But yeah, since you mention it, retiring now is convenient for Sky - it measn they won't have to sack him if any firm allegations come to light.

d.

Interesting comment on the BR forum, where Barry's retirement was mentioned in a thread about JV "outing" Danielson, Zabriskie and Van Der Velde as ex-juicers:

...despite having defended Barry against prior allegations in 2010 and 2011, Brailsford has probably had a quiet word along the lines of "you can step off the bus or be thrown under it"

[Nuncio]

His name has been mentioned in connection with doping in the past

Only by Floyd Landis, from what I can make out.  I don't know if that makes a difference. He did ride for USPS for 4 or 5 years, so if what is coming out now* is true and he has been clean, than he would have been to USPS what Christophe Bassons was to Festina.

* Haven't seen this elsewhere on the forum, but if Google Translate has been working correctly then Johan Museeuw is the latest to make a 'we were pretty much all at it' statement. http://www.gva.be/sport/wielrennen/aid1236343/museeuw-nagenoeg-elke-renner-nam-doping.aspx

[Exit Stage Left]

Yes, I thought carefully about my use of the word "journeyman" there. There's a not-too-subtle insinuation of not being all that good, so I wondered if it was a bit harsh, but on reflection, I think not.

d.

Most people never reach the status of master of their own craft. Employing others, and being responsible for their output, most remain journeymen all their lives.
Guilds and Trade associations were suppressed by the French revolution, as part of the drive for economic liberalism.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Chapelier_Law
 That simply drove association underground. One man's Omerta is another man's collective action in support of conditions.
The rhetoric of 'a level playing field' is liberal rhetoric after all. It will be interesting to see if any formal collective arrangements replace the tradition of 'Omerta' in the peloton.