Lou Zealand Posted February 16, 2011 Posted February 16, 2011 Three-times Tour de France champion Alberto Contador returned to competition just one day after his provisional one-year ban for doping was lifted, taking the start in the Tour of Algarve overnight (NZT). The 28-year-old had been suspended provisionally since August after testing positive for a small amount of the banned anabolic agent clenbuterol, but the Spanish Cycling Federation (RFCEC) on Tuesday lifted the ban. "Above all, it is a huge satisfaction not just for me but also for the team, the sponsors, and the truth is that I am happy to be here," Contador told reporters. The Spaniard, who has been the outstanding cyclist of his generation, did not confirm whether we he will take part in the Tour de France in July. "Now we have to plan the season with the (team) director in the next weeks and we will see what the goals are," he said. Contador, whose battle to clear his name may not yet be over with cycling's world governing body still to decide whether to appeal, flew to Portugal late on Tuesday to join up with his Saxo Bank team and defend the title he won last year. "I think everybody can understand that we are happy. For us it is good that he can race," Saxo Bank team owner Bjarne Riis said. Contador has always denied deliberate wrongdoing, saying the failed test was due to contaminated meat. Spanish media reported that the RFEC's disciplinary committee reversed their decision because it could not prove intent or negligence on Contador's part. "I think this whole situation is not good at all for cycling and, in truth, it would have been good for it all not to have happened," Contador added.
timM Posted February 16, 2011 Posted February 16, 2011 common sense seems to have prevailed - good outcome - although I am sure some other won't share my view!!
GrumpyOldGuy Posted February 17, 2011 Posted February 17, 2011 common sense seems to have prevailed - good outcome - although I am sure some other won't share my view!! Yeah, I agree, the matter is dealt with, he was cleared, is back at work and in my opinion that how it should just be left standing.
trekpostal Posted February 17, 2011 Posted February 17, 2011 Totally agree - life goes on for now until the UCI and / or WADA kick in heels
pastapouch Posted February 17, 2011 Posted February 17, 2011 common sense seems to have prevailed - good outcome - although I am sure some other won't share my view!!Nope, its a joke. yesterday 702 had an interview with Andrew Mclean. And I agree, many riders have been banned for the same thing. Now this clown gets off scotfree. And yes, it probably is because he is the Tour De Dope(France) Champion.
Eldron Posted February 17, 2011 Posted February 17, 2011 (edited) There always has to be one and today thats me How exactly is asking the Spanish federation to ban a Spanish hero ever going to yield a decent result? I'm fairly sure the UCI will take this to court of arb (pun intended) and have Conty rebanned. It also raises interesting questions like - is Li Fuyu going to have his ban removed, be reinstated by Radioshack and have the UCI pay him damages/back pay? If they found ANY evidence of tainted meat I'd say perhaps he's innocent but they tested some meat (albeit randomly) and found zero clen. He's dirty - ban him. Edit: We also need to reduce Pepper's ban to 1 year now. Edited February 17, 2011 by Eldron
GrumpyOldGuy Posted February 17, 2011 Posted February 17, 2011 Thats the system Eldron. If the system is wrong then it needs to be changed first - but as it stands, thats the way it works, and their ruling is binding. We can all waffle around morals and indignant rhetoric, but the facts remain - a legitimate body cleared him of wrong and he is back at work. These rulings have to be respected, otherwise the body is just a toothless watchdog. In my opinion the UCI / WADA need to leave alone and move on, or start changing the way the system works.
Wyatt Earp Posted February 17, 2011 Posted February 17, 2011 There always has to be one and today thats me How exactly is asking the Spanish federation to ban a Spanish hero ever going to yield a decent result? I'm fairly sure the UCI will take this to court of arb (pun intended) and have Conty rebanned. It also raises interesting questions like - is Li Fuyu going to have his ban removed, be reinstated by Radioshack and have the UCI pay him damages/back pay? If they found ANY evidence of tainted meat I'd say perhaps he's innocent but they tested some meat (albeit randomly) and found zero clen. He's dirty - ban him. Edit: We also need to reduce Pepper's ban to 1 year now.As Joffers said yesterday "they have set a dangerous president"
LeTurbo Posted February 17, 2011 Posted February 17, 2011 Good stuff. He adds a little fire to the whole scene.
trekpostal Posted February 17, 2011 Posted February 17, 2011 A buddy long time into cycling recalls that Mighty Mouse himself was also cleared on doping many years back due to technicalities - I personally cannot confirm or deny if Mclean was M"clean" or not
Eldron Posted February 17, 2011 Posted February 17, 2011 Thats the system Eldron. If the system is wrong then it needs to be changed first - but as it stands, thats the way it works, and their ruling is binding. We can all waffle around morals and indignant rhetoric, but the facts remain - a legitimate body cleared him of wrong and he is back at work. These rulings have to be respected, otherwise the body is just a toothless watchdog. In my opinion the UCI / WADA need to leave alone and move on, or start changing the way the system works. Their ruling is not bindiing - "the system" requires a UCI review and decision: "In accordance with the regulations the UCI now awaits the full dossier on the case from the RFEC. Once this documentation has been received, the UCI will issue its decision within 30 days." Gotta love "the system".
SL7 Posted February 17, 2011 Posted February 17, 2011 So glad he's back - the TdF will be more entertaining
101SCC Posted February 17, 2011 Posted February 17, 2011 So glad he's back - the TdF will be more entertaining I agree, That's the only reason!
scotty Posted February 17, 2011 Posted February 17, 2011 Thats the system Eldron. If the system is wrong then it needs to be changed first - but as it stands, thats the way it works, and their ruling is binding. We can all waffle around morals and indignant rhetoric, but the facts remain - a legitimate body cleared him of wrong and he is back at work. These rulings have to be respected, otherwise the body is just a toothless watchdog. In my opinion the UCI / WADA need to leave alone and move on, or start changing the way the system works. Lance was cleared from the 1999 dope test, would this also apply to him
Ab 1 Posted February 17, 2011 Posted February 17, 2011 I think that all of this is becoming pointless.Just let them take what ever they want,they will ultimately pay the price.
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