Lance Armstrong doped, lied and intimidated journalists and fellow cyclists. USADA claimed he was he ringleader of the most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program that sport has ever seen. There has been evidence from his earliest to his latest Tour victories of doping, but during his confession on national television and in court, he refused to admit when and how long he used doping. When he finally was convicted, he posted the notorious photo of himself, surrounded by yellow jerseys. Every time I talk to cycling fans in the Netherlands, they tell me how they loved this show of attitude.

Alejandro Valverde doped. He was suspended for two years from cycling because of doping somewhere before 2006, in the Fuentes scandal. Apart from a two year suspension, he was also banned from the Tour the year before over the same allegations. Since then, every single news article in Dutch media regarding Valverde mentions doping.

Michael Boogerd doped. The accusations had been there for a long time, but he'd always denied. When he thought any possible charges had expired, he organised a similar confession-interview as Armstrong's, gathering a million viewers. He never admitted exactly when he used doping. He refused to cooperate to catch other dopers. Shortly after his confession, he became cycling commentator on the Dutch Eurosport, which had previously sacked riders with a doping background.

Michele Scarponi worked with doctor Ferrari. There is no proof he ever doped; no positive tests. He died earlier this year, in a car accident that shocked the world. Dutch public broadcaster published the headline: "Dubious character dies in accident".

Thomas Dekker doped. He was caught with positive samples, initially denied, but ultimately was suspended. In 2016 he published an autobiography together with journalist Thijs Zonneveld. In it, he revealed much of his doping past. He named other athletes like Boogerd who had already been outed, but kept Rabobank-management out of shot. Passages in the book published as previews and given ample attention in national media were about "the lifestyle": how doping went hand-in-hand with hookers, alcohol, fast cars and extravagant parties. Dekker, like Boogerd and Armstong, was a bad boy.

Alberto Contador possibly doped. Probably not. He was suspended for two years for a test containing impossibly low amounts of an illegal substance, which he probably consumed through contaminated meat. Zero, zero, zero, etc. This week he announced his retirement. Thijs Zonneveld, who ghost-wrote Thomas Dekker's sensationalist book, tweeted he never liked Contador, because he was a "proven druggie".

Dutch impromptu musical group Sint Willibrord Sessions launch "Lance Armstrong: the Rock Opera". They start with proclaiming: "We're not saying what he did wasn't wrong, but...", and the rest of the opera is one long ode to the 'but', doting on Armstrong's bad-boy-image while giving Betsy Andreu and Emma O'Reilly a thouroughly sexist treatment. The opera was a success.

Luca Paolini will always be remembered for his coke addiction. Tom Boonen for his cycling prowess. Lance Armstrong's ban caused him to lose his podcast's connection with an American pro-race. The internet is in an uproar. Ullrich isn't welcome at the Tour de France start. Uproar. Marco Pantani is honoured during this year's Giro? Proof that the Italians still worship doping, if you ask any Dutch journalist.
Neither Nibali nor Tom Dumoulin were ever caught with doping. I don't think any of them dopes. When Nibali won the Giro, he was called an untrustworthy doper. When Tom Dumoulin won the Giro this year, it was "proof of a cleaner cycling".

Are you seeing a pattern? It's well known that the Dutch love the Bad Boy stereotype. Maffiaboss Holleder became a national hero for a short while, including columns and regular appearances in talkshows. The same treatment wasn't reserved for kick-boxer Badr Hari, who used his fighting skills outside of the ring a bit too much. Holleder is as white as cream. Badr Hari is Morrocan. Have you caught the pattern now?

I don't know if this pattern emerges in other media as well, but it's unmistakable over here. The Dutch don't mind doping. Not really. As long as your skin is as white as cream, you can get away with everything. Heck, if you're that white, cheating only improves your image. But if you look slightly mediteranean? You're guilty by default, and you won't be forgiven. Not even on the day you die.