If you did a google search for “Kenny Williams Cyclist”, the first result you would find in the search rankings would be for his personal blog. The short description reads “Welcome to Kenny Williams cycling blog. Occasionally there will be posts here to thrill you with tales of what it’s like to lay the smackdown in a bike race …”
You know what? I have raced against Kenny on a few occasions, mostly at USA Cycling Masters National Championship Events when they were held in Park City, Utah. In the 35-39 criterium event, I found myself in a 6 man breakaway with Kenny and 4 other riders. It was a technical course with a screaming downhill, and an off-camber turn that seemed to be too hard for most of the field to figure out. Our group lapped the field at least once. At a certain part in the race, they stopped pulling people who were lapped, and it was a clusterfuck going into the last few laps. I kicked myself after that race for not attacking and taking a flier with one lap to go because I’m guessing the other riders would have watched Kenny for just long enough, it would have been game over. But I didn’t. I waited for the sprint. He won, I got 4th.
So, Kenny, I guess I was one of the racers who was out there when you got to “lay the smackdown.” On many occasions after that race in Park City, I have thought about how nice it would have been to win that day, and pull on the Stars and Stripes while holding my baby daughter on the podium. I just got beat by a couple riders who were just a hair faster. That’s life. But then I see the recent news about Kenny testing positive for taking DHEA. Says he only used it on one occasion to help get back in top form after an injury. Says he’s sorry. The problem with dopers is this: where there is smoke, there is fire.
What should his penalty be for failing both A and B samples? Serve 2 years suspension then be able to come back and compete as a 44 year old? I think I just found the motivation to start racing again, since in 2 years, we would still be in the same age class. It would be interesting to see what sort of smackdown old Kenny could deliver on this anonymous Masters racer at Nationals. Who’s with me?
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10 Responses to The Juice: Kenny Williams & The Smackdown
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Gas Money
Dude, I would love to give you the lead out on that one. Game On!
Deal. Let’s only hope he shows up for a smackdown, Utah clean style.
If I were not 188 pounds instead of my 156 race weight 20 years ago I would gladly scream “roue” at this clown and cover attacks for you.
Betz, you have 2 years to get in shape and make it happen. There’s an X-Men club jersey with your name on it if you can make it happen. Bust out the old Wichie Sachs and start pedaling. Maybe we can even talk Orr into it.
I’m with you
orr hasn’t touched a bike in 20 years, literally. I feel bad for what is going on in that boy’s head. Yah, 2 years of suffering just to lay down in front of a juicer. ok, sounds like fun, NOT!
I agree…. I would race down a class just to provide the 1,500m in leadout for all but Kenny… Just like Floyd (no results post drugs) Landis – only one way to prove he actually had any natural juice!
Well, Kenny just accepted his suspension, according to the latest Velo News article. See you at nationals in 2 years!
Hey Moto, I was second to Kenny in both the 35-39 crit and 35-39 RR at Park City that year. The news of his doping conviction really stings. As my friend Kyle Dixon says, dopers are ‘effectively stealing (results and prize money) from the rest of us.’ I totally agree with that assessment, and feel that a 2y suspension is an inadequate sanction in terms of providing redress for his competitors, against whom he committed theft. SOB.
Jeff, I remember you and your team mate from that race, Team Spine, or something like that, correct? I’ve replayed that criterium over and over in my head, because it’s the closest I have come to a jersey (4th), but really I can see where it stings more for you, coming in 2nd that day. Who knows how the race could have been different. You were the winner on that day, as far as I am concerned. Kenny took something that wasn’t his, and it’s a shame. I think the ban should be lifetime from competition. On another note: there are likely other racers we have raced against coming out of the woodwork from Operation Papp Smear. Can’t wait to find out the names of the other thieves who have also stolen results from guys like us. Keep riding hard!