Contador - CAS ruling. (All things Contador/doping - merged)

[TNT1]

Just as a matter of interest, are Chicken and the young Christina a pair, as in couple, hanging out together.......or is it all professional.? I just wondered because Michael's pasty white skeletal look always creeped me out a bit, and, lets be honest, Christina is an attractive young lady, ..........if they are, hey,... good luck to him, hope it go's well.

 

Dunno. He's supposed to be married to that Italian MTB chick. (Last I know)

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Yeah, from what I understand, it's an employment contract thing, has bugger all to do with cycling and doping.

 

Was still awesome to see him going up against Contador, cause it seems like there's very few who can these days.

 

(and I put a marker down, Contador will skate on the current charge...)

 

Indeed, in my humble opinion you dont see racing like that anymore, Chicken had 'Berto's acceleration's down pat, he couldn't go with but he could maintain a fast steady tempo and 'Berto just couldn't get away.

 

Agree, I doubt they can make the case stick, when there is doubt the athlete must be given the benefit of that doubt, I reckon 'Berto will be at either the Giro or the Tour kicking Butt and taking names.

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Dunno. He's supposed to be married to that Italian MTB chick. (Last I know)

 

Oh, okay, I didnt know he was married, ... he and Christina just looked pretty cosy in the few shots I have seen of them so I wondered.

 

He could do worse.

[TNT1]

Oh, okay, I didnt know he was married,

 

He claims his wife is the reason he lied...

 

Rasmussen says he lied to cover tracks with wife

• By VeloNews.com
  
• Published Nov. 16, 2011
  

• Tweet
  
• Share
  

http://velonews.competitor.com/files/2011/08/CORVOS_00017529-001-617x421.jpgRasmussen on the start line at the Tour of Denmark last week. Photo: Cor Vos

Michael Rasmussen admitted that he did indeed lie during the traumatic 2007 Tour de France, but says he did it to cover his tracks with his wife.

Rasmussen was kicked out of the 2007 Tour with just a few days left to Paris after it was revealed he misled anti-doping authorities about his whereabouts in the weeks ahead of the race.

While he told authorities he was in Mexico, in fact he was in Italy. Rather than tell the truth up front, Rasmussen said he lied about it to avoid a conflict with his wife.

“It’s that my wife would like to think I was in Mexico,” he told the Danish daily Ekstra Bladet. “I was in Italy, but I did not stay at home. It gave me some peace to find a way out.”

Rasmussen later served a two-year racing ban handed down by the Monaco cycling federation.

The ex-mountain bike world champion didn’t give away other details in the short interview posted on the newspaper’s website, but added that he managed to save his marriage.

“This is where the private must remain private,” he said. “The Tour scandal and everything that followed was a very, very tough ordeal on the marriage. It was an extreme situation at an extreme time. If it were not for my son (Milo), I doubt our marriage would have survived.”

Rasmussen continues to deny wrong-doing and currently races with Christina Watches Onfone.

[GrumpyOldGuy]

He claims his wife is the reason he lied...

 

Rasmussen says he lied to cover tracks with wife

• By VeloNews.com
  
• Published Nov. 16, 2011
  

• Tweet
  
• Share
  

http://velonews.competitor.com/files/2011/08/CORVOS_00017529-001-617x421.jpgRasmussen on the start line at the Tour of Denmark last week. Photo: Cor Vos

Michael Rasmussen admitted that he did indeed lie during the traumatic 2007 Tour de France, but says he did it to cover his tracks with his wife.

Rasmussen was kicked out of the 2007 Tour with just a few days left to Paris after it was revealed he misled anti-doping authorities about his whereabouts in the weeks ahead of the race.

While he told authorities he was in Mexico, in fact he was in Italy. Rather than tell the truth up front, Rasmussen said he lied about it to avoid a conflict with his wife.

“It’s that my wife would like to think I was in Mexico,” he told the Danish daily Ekstra Bladet. “I was in Italy, but I did not stay at home. It gave me some peace to find a way out.”

Rasmussen later served a two-year racing ban handed down by the Monaco cycling federation.

The ex-mountain bike world champion didn’t give away other details in the short interview posted on the newspaper’s website, but added that he managed to save his marriage.

“This is where the private must remain private,” he said. “The Tour scandal and everything that followed was a very, very tough ordeal on the marriage. It was an extreme situation at an extreme time. If it were not for my son (Milo), I doubt our marriage would have survived.”

Rasmussen continues to deny wrong-doing and currently races with Christina Watches Onfone.

 

 

Oh, okay, ........not something I would do, but,.... there you go.!

[GrumpyOldGuy]

So 'Berto lost a bit of time to Levi (and Stefan ) in the TT yesterday, but today is the biggie mountain top finish with an average gradient of around 8.75 and a max of 14% - should be right up 'Berto's ally.

 

Good to see Nibs taking second in the TT yesterday, I like the youngster, similar to 'Berto he never says "die" and he should do well on today's climb. Levi looks to be in good shape as well, but, I dunno, I just cant support the guy.

['Dale]

Intriguing year:

 

'Berto is still under a cloud of doubt over the 'Clen' case.

 

Valverde is racing and winning.

The Chicken is back in the mix.

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Intriguing year:

 

'Berto is still under a cloud of doubt over the 'Clen' case.

 

Valverde is racing and winning.

The Chicken is back in the mix.

 

Yeah, ....but to be fair they are all class acts, so one expects them to do well. Valverde in top shape, is a strong contender in the mountains and he could easily toss a spanner in the little 'Berto / Andy tussle.

 

The doping side of it doesn't interest me, I see it more as a boring side show, these guys work hard to stay at the top of the game, (actually all athletes do, irrespective of the discipline) so I just enjoy the spectacle, and Valverde has always been one of my favorites.

Edited January 27, 2012 by GrumpyOldGuy

['Dale]

Yeah, ....but to be fair they are all class acts, so one expects them to do well. Valverde in top shape, is a strong contender in the mountains and he could easily toss a spanner in the little 'Berto / Andy tussle.

 

The doping side of it doesn't interest me, I see it more as a boring side show, these guys work hard to stay at the top of the game, (actually all athletes do, irrespective of the discipline) so I just enjoy the spectacle, and Valverde has always been one of my favorites.

 

I stand with you, G O G.

Admire the absolute dedication of these athletes.

Of course, there are some bad apples in the cart.

 

The system that manages and runs cycling is so messed up. Seriously, lacks credibility.

Bad Politics. Inconsistency. Tch!

Edited January 27, 2012 by ' Dale

[nickc]

Good to see all the top GC contenders so close in the overall classification - today is going to be exciting, I think its going to come down to AC and Nibs.

 

Go Liquigas!!

['Dale]

Good to see all the top GC contenders so close in the overall classification - today is going to be exciting, I think its going to come down to AC and Nibs.

 

Go Liquigas!!

 

You mos know!

Yeah!!

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Good to see all the top GC contenders so close in the overall classification - today is going to be exciting, I think its going to come down to AC and Nibs.

 

Go Liquigas!!

 

- Yeah, how to choose, how to choose?.

 

..............Okay, Think I'll also back Nibs.

[nickc]

- Yeah, how to choose, how to choose?.

 

..............Okay, Think I'll also back Nibs.

 

 

:clap:

[GrumpyOldGuy]

What a climb, 'Berto and Nibali fighting it out on the steepest part, Levi 35 sec's back and looks to be fading.................'Berto on the move again as I type and Nibs 2 sec's back.................man, 'Berto is flying but Nibs is pulling back to him.

Edited January 27, 2012 by GrumpyOldGuy

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Looks like its all slowed down and Levi is catching up.

[TNT1]

Looks like its all slowed down and Levi is catching up.

Contador attacked in the final kilometer, but Leipheimer was able to pull himself back to the Spaniard's wheel along with Diaz, but when the 22-year-old Argentinean attacked with 200m to go, neither of the WorldTour riders could follow.

While Contador distanced Leipheimer by a few meters at the line, the American was easily able to hold onto his race lead with Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas-Cannondale) and Stefan Schumacher (Christina Watches-Ofone) losing time on the mountain.