Remorse usually doesn't sound like, "But for getting caught..."

Mystery Machine full of meddling kids

For those of us that grew up watching Scooby Doo cartoons, you'll likely remember the typical ending of each show with a comment from the villain saying "if it wasn't for those meddling kids I would have got away with it."  I was reminded of this iconic statement today as I came across an article about Francisco Mancebo.

Arguably, "Operation Puerto" in 2006 was a pivotal event in the downfall for big-time doping in cycling.  Among those caught or implicated was Spaniard Francisco Mancebo, who like Alberto Contador, was not ever officially sanctioned by any cycling governing body.  Mancebo has been languishing in domestic cycling ever since and the last two years he's been ripping up the American domestic circuit as part of the Kenda-5hr Energy cycling team.  This year Mancebo is moving somewhat back into big-time racing with a professional team in Dubai - Skydive Dubai.

Mancebo is currently racing the Tour of Dubai with his new team and just recently was quoted in CyclingNews.Com about the purgatory state he's been in since 2006.  However, here is the money quote about Operation Puerto and its effect on his career.

Mancebo hanging with Lance

“In 2006 it cut my career,” Mancebo told Biciciclismo. “I do not know where I would have finished. Maybe I could have won a Vuelta a España or maybe not, but it is certain that I would have contested it.”

Interesting comment considering the company he was riding in and the results he was getting at the time.  Is he saying that "...but for getting caught, I would have won a Grand Tour!..."?  All that's missing here are some fake ghosts, a Scooby Snack and some innuendo about where Fred and Daphne are heading off to.  Damn those pesky kids.