Alberto Contador-To Dope or not to Dope

**odykas** · 9th Feb 12, 08:59

[Off Topic]

Senza is back

**janneppi** · 9th Feb 12, 15:09

Originally Posted by N4D13

Someone above has mentioned plasticisers, but even those can't prove that he used blood doping, as there are legal ways of recovering from the races that would cause a rider to have them in their blood - that's why they cannot be used to prove that a rider is doping.

The only reason plasticisers are to be found in someones blood is that they have had a blood transfusion(?), which is forbidden in sports. They didn't penalize him for that though, apparently because the test itself isnt validated. So they got him on a technicality instead.

So, basically, Contador is getting a two-year ban because that is what the rulebook says.

We', isn't that why the rules exist?

**Garry Walker** · 9th Feb 12, 15:34

Originally Posted by race aficionado

doping in sports - and in this case, again, cycling, makes you wonder: what gives?

Alberto Contador has ben disqualified and penalized financially and personally - and reading the spanish press and his interviews, he assures (of course) his innocence and is supported by many. - and on the other side of the spectrum many agree and even point at Rafa Nadal as a possible culprit.

do they? don't they? who is getting away with it?

I say let them all get pumped up and see who explodes first.

Who has blamed Nadal?

**N4D13** · 9th Feb 12, 15:47

Originally Posted by janneppi

The only reason plasticisers are to be found in someones blood is that they have had a blood transfusion(?), which is forbidden in sports. They didn't penalize him for that though, apparently because the test itself isnt validated. So they got him on a technicality instead.

I'm gonna look into it, but I'm sure that I read somewhere that there are more explanations.

Originally Posted by janneppi

We', isn't that why the rules exist?

The fact that rules exists doesn't mean that they're fair. They try to be fair, but sometimes they're not. The fact is that clenbuterol is a forbidden substance, and cyclists must not have it in their body, regardless of the concentration at which it is found. I don't want to sound like a broken record, but basically, the amount of clenbuterol was such that he couldn't have gained any performance for that. So getting a two-year ban for that can't be fair, at least not in my (not quite humble, I must admit) opinion.

Anyway, if you're right and the only reason because of which plasticisers are found is having had a blood transfusion, then I'll believe that the penalty is actually fair, although not for having used clenbuterol, but because of a blood transfusion.

Originally Posted by Garry Walker

Who has blamed Nadal?

I know that a French TV show has mocked Contador and hinted in not quite a subtle way that Nadal has doped. This hasn't been really appreciated in Spain, and it's been widely criticized, but, quite frankly, I find it pointless. It's a humour TV show and that's the kind of stuff they show every day.

Now, as for whether someone has decided that Nadal might be responsible in any manner for Contador's doping case, I don't know. It sounds like a rather absurd claim, anyway.

**janneppi** · 10th Feb 12, 13:58

Originally Posted by N4D13

I know that a French TV show has mocked Contador and hinted in not quite a subtle way that Nadal has doped. This hasn't been really appreciated in Spain, and it's been widely criticized, but, quite frankly, I find it pointless. It's a humour TV show and that's the kind of stuff they show every day.

Until Spanish autorities have the moral backbone to continue with Operation Puerta, suggestions that tennis- and football players got away scott free will arise. At the moment Spanish sport and antidoping federations aren't held in high regard in rest of europe because of that.

**monadvspec** · 12th Feb 12, 15:30

This is killing cycling. I wonder if the book Paul Kimmage wrote about doping and the assertion that Lance Armstron and Greg LeMond were also using EPA or some other substance.
I'm sure Mark Cavendish will be under a lot of scrutiny now that he has won sprints in mountain stages, unheard of for a sprinter. Most go home prior to the mountains.

I am of course speaking of Le Tour de France.

**Dave B** · 12th Feb 12, 17:03

Of course Lewis Hamilton hasn't denied being involved, has he Baggy? Very suspicious. I wonder if he's trying to hide anything

**Jefe Máximo** · 16th Feb 12, 13:19

Originally Posted by odykas

[Off Topic]

Senza is back

And here was me fearing that the austerity measures would leave you without a computer.

odylicious.

**Eki** · 16th Feb 12, 13:42

Originally Posted by odykas

[Off Topic]

Senza is back

Jefe Maximo is back

**Jefe Máximo** · 23rd Feb 12, 19:26

Indeed. Missed you Sardoneki.

**Eki** · 24th Feb 12, 18:19

Now we can start guessing where you have been, in a monastery, military, prison or a mental asylum. My guess is mental asylum, the same as Ibby.

**race aficionado** · 24th Feb 12, 18:35

Originally Posted by Eki

Now we can start guessing where you have been, . . . . My guess is mental asylum, the same as Ibby.

and to keep on topic: all doped up . . . . .

**EuroTroll** · 24th Feb 12, 18:46

How about doped up in a mental asylum in a military prison that used to be a monastery.

Good to have you back, Jefe.

**GridGirl** · 24th Feb 12, 19:47

Originally Posted by race aficionado

and to keep on topic: all doped up . . . . .

As it happens, Ibby will be spending tomorrow doing a 25 mile mountain bike ride and Sunday completeing a 50 mile ride on his road bike. He shall be taking on carbohydrates and electrolytes but has not yet graduated to doping as far as I am aware.