04/18/24
February 06, 2012
Contador should have hired Armstrong's lawyers: Contador gets a two-year ban and forfeits a Tour de France win (among other victories). Andy Schleck is now elevated to the yellow jersey for that year.
posted by sbacharach to other at 11:25 AM - 8 comments
Under WADA, if you're caught with ANY clenbuteral in your system, you're busted. The amazing thing about this case wasn't the outcome, but how long it took.
posted by apoch at 11:54 AM on February 06, 2012
Ah well, there goes most of the interest in this year's TdF. Surely not even the Schlecks could screw up a gilt-edged opportunity like this; with no big bad Contador to worry about RadioShack will just grind up Evans and the last week will be a procession.
posted by deflated at 12:46 PM on February 06, 2012
Thou shalt not editorialize in a front page post.
Sorry - my bad. I've been more of a responder in the past, not a poster.
posted by sbacharach at 01:22 PM on February 06, 2012
As long as Evans can still gain valuable seconds (if not minutes) on the Schelcks in the time trials, the interest remains.
posted by sbacharach at 01:24 PM on February 06, 2012
Thanks for the post, Sbacharach. This sport is such a mess. I don't even follow cycling but I've become jaded about the doping controversies anyway. Is there any fan left who is outraged and/or surprised?
posted by rcade at 01:35 PM on February 06, 2012
The amazing thing about this case wasn't the outcome, but how long it took.
Crank your cynicism up a little higher and it will all make sense.
By prolonging the case for a year they kept the biggest drawcard in pro cycling on his bike and in races for as long as possible. Sponsors and broadcasters are very happy that Contador spent last summer trying for the Giro/Tour double in vain, far more interesting to the sometime fans than the alternatives (e.g. while Cadel Evans is a hero in Australia, in the big Euro markets he isn't particularly popular or marketable).
As it is Contador will be back riding in the 2012 Vuelta. He gets a two year ban but it is backdated to the point where he'll be winning again in 6 months. Everyone (except Contador and his team) is happy, revenue streams are preserved, life goes on.
posted by deflated at 01:54 PM on February 06, 2012
Is there any fan left who is outraged and/or surprised?
Everyone is happy, revenue streams are preserved, life goes on
Cycling is a mess to the point none of the competitors figure they have a chance of winning without some form of illegal performance enhancer.
posted by cixelsyd at 10:33 PM on February 06, 2012
Contador should have hired Armstrong's lawyers
Thou shalt not editorialize in a front page post. FYI.