The day before "the decision": What are you hoping for?

they are sooooooooo made for each other.

You can’t convict someone almost three years after the facts happened.
(plus he’s on my VDS team)

Trying to hold people fully accountable for such minute traces of contraband is going to be a losing proposition.

I was originally hoping he would have gotten a one year penalty though, there is no doubt that there was clenbuterol in his system, just not nearly enough to alter his race results. Now I just want it to be over.

About 12 months. Or 6. So who knows.

On a personal level, I think there is evidence that points to doping, but what I have seen isn’t conclusive. But I haven’t seen half the evidence and know too little to make firm conclusions from what I have. As a result, I’d like to see some kind of suspension, though I haven’t thought much about what I think is fair or proper.

On a sporting level, I hope the numerous agencies involved see how much it’s hurt the sport’s image to have something like this drag on for two years. While those of us familiar with the sport mostly feel things are changing for the better, it’s not evident to the outside world that it is. The proceedings with Contador and his ability to keep winning over and over during the judicial process took us a step back in the wider public image, I think.

……..Has Bert been a vegetarian this whole time?

Laff.

If he doped, ban him. If he didn’t, don’t. Why does it have to be any harder than that? None of this Petacchi taking extra puffs from his inhaler crap. Either he cheated or he didn’t.

where there is no recourse to appeal

Of course make it retroactive, he can come back for the Vuelta and finish off the season strong. I just don’t think there is a god enough reason in all of this to give him the benefit of the doubt.

I am convinced, and almost at ease with the notion that he was blood boosting (adding in his own blood), and that he is far from alone in that (yes, even today). And note that this means that I even entertain the thought that Evans is guilty of the same (though it would be a blow to my sensibilities on the scale of Zulle’s confession, were it to be found true).

As for the minute traces of clem found in his system. I just struggle to see how a definitive case can be made that this was doping, or more to the point, that you could definitely rule out that it was accidental and out of his control.

I other words, get over it people, get this cloud out of my blue sky and let the racing rule the news…..

But.I imagine that someone in Luxemburg even more anxious then us!

AC walks, it’s always good to watch him. (And if so, that having convinced 3 highly qualified independent observers that it was probably the beef at least some acknowledgement of the fact he succeeded in threading the eye of that needle so claims must have some credibility)

Expect – either way the Tour result to go (though probably not the others like the giro etc as “fairness dictates otherwise” etc) and RFEC to get a bit of a bollocking for that part of their decision.
Also expect 2 year ban and the hefty fine that is tied to it. Although a CAS discretion type reduction wouldn’t surprise.

And would like to see him continue racing. But still, don’t for a second buy the tainted beef story, and so I would like to see the Tour win stripped. I don’t suppose there is any legal rationale that would lead to this outcome, but that’s what I’m hoping for.

Also would like to see the Spanish federation slapped down for what appears to be pretty shameless homerism.

Reasons
He is high profile sends a very clear message blood dopers who get it wrong-you will get punished despite big legal team and sympathetic local cycling fed.

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/06022012/58/reports-contador-stripped-2010-tour.html

Two year ban, starting from the Tour 2010 (which now is officially Andy’s). Giro 2011 also lost (to Scarponi).
He’ll be able to race again on the 5th of August, which means no Tour 2012, and no Olympics.

The source for Marca and all the rest (Sky, BBC, Guardian, etc…) is the Spanish Federation of Cycling.

it was always going to be a mess. it was and is an absolute offence – he was guilty irrespective of the reasons. he should have been suspended from the day the test was announced.

then it could/should have appealed. I bet you $1m that had been that way round AC would have got it deal with a whole lot quicker.

it’s definitely the right result but definitely a crap way of getting there. you, me and all keen cyclists are going to get it “all cyclists are dopers” etc ignoring the blatant abuse by footballers, tennis players, etc etc etc etc

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/feb/06/alberto-contador-ban-tour-cycling

tour de france goes and all results from 25/1/11 onwards

seems the UCI has once again gone against the PdC faithful. When do we storm their HQ already? I’ll bring the Panzer!