They got the bastard.
 

I understand that charges against Armstrong have been dropped. Have not seen it in print yet though.

Al

Court Strips Contador of 2010 Tour Title

Associated Press
MADRID -- Alberto Contador has been stripped of his 2010 Tour de France title and banned for two years after sport's highest court found him guilty of doping.
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Alberto Contador crosses the finish line on stage eighteen of the 2011 Tour de France from Pinerolo to Galibier Serre Chevalier on July 21, 2011.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport suspended the three-time Tour champion after rejecting his claim that his positive test for clenbuterol was caused by eating contaminated meat during the 2010 Tour.
The three-man CAS panel upheld appeals by the International Cycling Union and World Anti-Doping Agency, which challenged a Spanish cycling tribunal's decision last year to exonerate Contador.
His ban was backdated and he is eligible to return to competition on Aug. 6. The decision was announced by CAS in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Whoa, here is a link to a news report for this:
http://espn.go.com/olympics/cycling/...e-france-title

Thanks for the heads up.

Bill

And, here we go again...

So, who becomes the favorite for this year's grand tours?

I can see the headlines "Armstrong Gets Dropped"

I gave up following the TDF when Floyd popped; halfway followed the latest investigation into LA's antics. Guess nobody thought Tyler was credible, or the Andreu's.

People keep coming up positive; more get by with it because they're 'off the back'. I've heard all the excuses; either legalize it or kick the violators out. If you really think you HAVE to use to be competitive, you're in the wrong profession.

Yes, I'm an 'old cranky b*st*rd' . . . .

Here's one:

"Armstrong faces no charges as investigation is closed"

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...333582_pf.html


Al

I have mixed feelings (and I'm not an expert here).

Everybody looks for a "nutrition" advantage which eventually crosses the line to performance-enhancement substances. The doping rules usually lag after someone figures out new processes or substances, so they're maybe legal until their beneficial effects are discovered. And blood doping isn't even a substance addition, it's your own blood. I'm wondering when carb loading will become illegal.

A humorous friend once proposed that every pro sports team be allowed ONE person to be exempt from drug testing. He painted the story of... "ninth inning, down by one, --and here comes MONGO!"

Perhaps Cadel or Andy or Philippe or the winner of one of the early spring classics.

whoa, just realized.. the "..He painted the story.." phrase in my previous post-- I mixed a metaphor. Does anybody collect those? My brother has been collecting mixed metaphors (have to be caught in the wild!) for years --and has been offered newspaper stories around his list several times, but he refuses to share the list publicly. Some are hilarious.

Doping became a big issue when people started dying on the course (the Brit on amphetamines, can't remember his name) and when cyclists started dying in their sleep from blood sludging from EPO. Carb loading isn't inherently dangerous. Most PEDs have significant health risks. You shouldn't have to take them to be competitive with the dopers.

:popcorn:

Yes, although I'm not sure Evans has another major tour win in him. Gilbert and Schleck... seems possible. I confess I haven't kept up with the teams that are being built around these guys.

Tom Simpson--british road cyclist died on the Mont Ventoux from exhaustion he had taken amphetamine and alcohol!

Road cyclists "doctored" themselves according to Jacques Anquetil to mask pain, it is only later enhancing drugs were used!

Doping has been used over a hundred years. Rules are not going to change the attitude of the professionals. Winning is the only way they can continue in their profession.

The above could have been written about any sport.

This years' TdF course favors a TT rider who can climb, Evans fits that bill nicely. Schleck will be in second again, he is however a former winner now so that's something.

Wow! My 2009 Astana jersey with the entire TdF team autographs keeps getting more valuable by the hour.

My take on the LA thing is that the administration could not afford to have that investigation out front in an election year, thus the Friday night document dump on dropping the LA thing.

Contador is reported to have gained 17 pounds during the off season. Guess he found the beef.

Correct. The only difference between Contador and Armstrong is one succeeded in defence of allegations. They are all dopers.

Agree; with the additions to BMC, and given this year's course, CE is in a very good position to repeat. A. Schleck had his chances in 2010 and 2011 -- couldn't take them (the fact that he is now the *winner of 2010 is neither here nor there).

According to his biographer, LA never denied pushing the envelope when it came to what he put in his body. He also claimed whatever he ingested never crossed the line into illegality. He doesn't say he hasn't taken drugs, he says he's never tested positive.

Those who have claimed Lance did cross the line are admitted dopers and liars, and/or had a bone to pick with him.

Lance is out from under the cloud of a criminal investigation. The sports world is still investigating him.

On the other hand, Contador tested positive for a banned substance. He doesn't deny that clen was in his body, he claims he didn't knowingly take it. He faces no criminal investigation that we know of.

The test for Contador, at the Tour, also showed traces of a plasticiser, which indicates a plasma or fluids bag and an IV being used on him. They charged possible blood doping along with the clenbuterol. Regardless he is busted and an appeal to the Swiss Supreme Court doesn't look very likely but he has a press conference this afternoon, stateside time frame I understand. I doubt a "clean" winner will be found now. They may be finding a way to mask or clear themselves somehow but doping is doping to me.

Bill

Not true. Maybe at one point in time, but not now. Too many people. Too much evidence. Anyway, that one is finally over except for the arguments amongst those like us, and there is finally a decision for Alberto - one that takes away from this year's TdF - but there will still be great racing. I think Cadel may be able to do it again, given the course this year. Would love to see Gilbert up there. But what I really want is a miracle by Vansummeren, because, well, he's my height!!

You don't think that's a brilliantly self-serving argument? I mean, who exactly should be qualified to testify against him - someone who doped alongside of him or someone who was never part of the doping culture and had no exposure to it?

The other victim of this fiasco is Andy Schleck who does not want to claim victory for the 2010 TDF. Schleck said, "First of all I feel sad for Alberto. I always believed in his innocence. This is just a very sad day for cycling. The only positive news is that there is a verdict after 566 days of uncertainty. We can finally move on."

And if Andy Schleck happens to win in 2012, well, Contador will not have been there to compete. At best, this is a sad day for professional cycling.

Who cares already.

I would still go for a bike ride with him.