Squier

I share that sentiment!

Great! Now I'm hungry!

Today, I am embarrassed to be a South African.

That's just risky... avoid that mix up!

Nah, Contador didn't do anything wrong IMO. If Andy had a mechanical in normal racing conditions, i.e. just sitting in the peleton, they would've waited for him, but Andy was attacking and Contador was responding to the attack. That's fair IMO. I just can't see the UCI/WADA letting this rest. It just does not make sense. The effect of just leaving it is exactly the same as legalising clenbuterol in the sport - the president has been set. From now on every defence on a positive clen test (and not just in cycling but all sport) will be based on the president set by the Contador case. Look, I'm not a fan but I want to see the guy race. He is the best out there, no contest. I can't wait for the Andy Alberto duels on the slopes of the TdF (remember Alp d'Huez is included this year! ) But the ripple effect of this decision in cycling, and in sport in general, will be massive. What about Fuyu Li and all the others that are serving a 2 year ban for exactly the same offence. Put yourself in McQuaid's shoes? What message would you send if you don't appeal? Oh, and Andy in yellow in Paris? I would love that! However, IMO he'll attack AC on the less steep slopes and will gain some time as this is not AC's forte. They won't break each other on the big mountain stages so it's all going to come down to the TT again... but Andy knows this, he'll be spending the time on the TT machine...

What irritated me was how he kept on pushing the blame to his team. "My team needed to personally apologise", "my team needs to come up with a three year plan", "my team" this, "my team" that. Sorry bud, but you are the president and thus ultimately responsible for everything that has to do with CSA. Pushing blame to your team is not only not valid but utterly unprofessional. It's called corporate governance... read up!

Yup, he said in one of his statements that he hasn't touched beef since the result of his test came out. He's only been eating pork and chicken. Bit ridiculous if you ask me...

Another good question in this soap-opera-like drama. I remember reading an article a while back saying that even if Contador is banned Saxo Bank may still use his UCI points to "qualify" for races. However, whether the ASO will just not invite them out of principle is another story...

Yes, but both the UCI and WADA can appeal the outcome. So far no word from either of them. Apparently he is already starting to race today in the Tour of Algarve in Portugal. Interesting thing, heard on the radio that in his pres conference he confirmed that he will be racing the Giro but did not want to say anything about the Tour de France... weird

I spoke to Polar yesterday as I'm having problems with my WearLink. They said I could come by anytime and someone should be able to help me...

Oh, one more thing! Last we heard Li Fuyu's ban could have been reduced if AC only got a one year ban - http://news.google.co.za/news/url?sa=t&ct2=en_za%2F0_0_s_0_0_t&ct3=MAA4AEgAUABgAWoFZW5femE&usg=AFQjCNFtYqiB0c6bLqWNMNAQ_ZItcc85Cg&sig2=SmsC41EBzLiiu0lfftzQcA&cid=8797650558539&ei=dbxaTdimL43LkAWUrq-7AQ&rt=SEARCH&vm=STANDARD&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cyclingweekly.co.uk%2Fnews%2Flatest%2F514162%2Fli-may-get-two-year-ban-for-clenbuterol-reduced.html What happens now? Far reaching consequences! I'm no lawyer but the UCI will be very careful of setting a president here. In future, everyone will get off based on this case! C'mon McQuaid, speak up, we're waiting...

Thanks everyone! Got the cleats, no problems!

More... Contador’s spokesman confirms that he’s been cleared of Clenbuterol doping charges by Shane Stokes at 11:43 AM EST Categories: Pro Cycling, Doping Rider likely to return to competition tomorrow in Volta ao Algarve Alberto Contador’s spokesman has issued a statement confirming that the rider has been cleared of charges of doping. “Alberto Contador has been officially cleared by the Royal Spanish Cycling Federation and has been authorized to return to competition immediately,” said Jacinto Vidarte. “If everything goes well, the rider will take the start, tomorrow, at the Volta ao Algarve.” His lawyer Andy Ramos had earlier confirmed the news to Cope.es, saying that he received the RFEC decision this morning. With the decision, the RFEC effectively considers that the rider was not culpable for the Clenbuterol in his system. Contador had tested positive on the second rest day of the 2010 Tour de France, which he won. Contador has been named as part of the Saxo Bank SunGard team for the Volta ao Algarve, which he won last year. He is apparently intending to ride the Giro d’Italia before the Tour de France. The UCI and WADA are both entitled to appeal the ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and have previously indicated that they will do so if they are unhappy with the RFEC decision. It is thought likely that such an action will be taken. UCI spokesman Enrico Carpani confirmed to VeloNation several minutes ago that the governing body has not yet received official confirmation, and therefore couldn’t comment. WADA is yet to reply to a request for its own reaction. Both can be expected later today. It is thought that WADA’s recent decision not to appeal the clearing of German table tennis player Dmitrij Ovtcharov was a factor in the RFEC’s deliberation of the case. There are differences in the case, though, as Ovtcharov was competing in China where there are greater incidences of Clenbuterol use. He also provided hair samples to help show his case was not a deliberate one. Most cases of Clenbuterol positives in sport either result in a one or two-year ban, depending on whether or not the sportsperson concerned can prove they didn’t intend to ingest the substance. Read more: http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/7445/Contadors-spokesman-confirms-that-hes-been-cleared-of-Clenbuterol-doping-charges.aspx#ixzz1E39EJ1S3

Just saw that! So, off to CAS I guess...

Bud, my old shoes are FUBAR! and, alas, their black... Any comments on the cleat issue?

But they won't, and I think it's right that they don't. Like I said, I want to see Contador race as much as the next guy, but the UCI accepting it would send the wrong message. It would seem as if they are taking a "softer" stance wrt doping... And that they won't do. "Long dragged out saga" - inevitable. And somehow I don't see this ending well for Alberto.

So, I got my new pair of SIDI Dominators yesterday! Stoked out of my skin! Anyway, I need to buy new cleats, as my old cleats are so worn I can't get it off of my old shoes, but I have heard that people have had issues with fitting Shimano cleats on SIDI shoes. Something about the screws being too short or not fitting.... Anyone here that had this problem? How do I get around it? Still need to buy the cleats but I have to stick with Shimano (due to the virgin active spinning bikes) Any help will be appreciated! Thanks!

So by the time this dragged out saga is concluded he could've potentialy won another two Tours, which he will then be stripped of. What if the plasticizer test is formalised before the appeal process is completed... Wonder if he is thinking about that? Take the year ban man! Take the ban and be ready for the Vuelta. Yes, I'm one of those guys that would like to see him cleared simply because it would suit me, personally, better (as the TdF will be more exciting). But this is already a big thing and once the appeals start it's just going to snowball and the end result will be real ugly... not just for him but for the sport as a whole.

So, if he gets cleared the UCI will, obviously, appeal. He is then allowed to race whilst the appeal process is ongoing?

start cycling with an ipod and docking station. When in trouble combine the strobe light and "I will survive" on the ipod. This not only assists with being found by rescue workers but also acts as a source of hope and inspiration!

So, if it it's a cloudy day you're screwed! Never thought people actually did this, but ok...

Uhm... sorry, but why the mirror?

It's not he UCI, it's the Spanish Federation. If they overturn the one year ban the UCI will appeal and then everything starts all over again...

Juan Pelota?

That is HOT!!! Many happy miles!