Contador has just lost a lot. A whole lot. Yes, he’s back soon, real soon, but what he has foregone (by choice, error of judgement or otherwise) would be more than enough to make a stellar pro cycling career. Just to ride a Tour de France is a career high, to win it is astounding. And that – and almost 2 years of excellent results, including a Giro win – has just evaporated in an instant. It will hurt.
It’s not that it’s cut and dried, he may well have been innocent, naive and unaware in his drug taking. In all likelihood it was a contaminated food supplement that contained the analobolic agent. It happens. But it was detected, it was there. The Clenbuterol was in his blood – one way or another. And on the basis of consistency (he’s hardly the first) he has to get 2 years off. Yes, others have also been let off or had the peroid reduced, but circumstances were clearly and utterly different. When single, isolated cases of Clenbuterol detection have arisen then the athlete concerned has (AFAIK) received 2 years off. So it’s a win for consistency and fairness, in that sense.
But then again, he may indeed have taken it unknowingly. There is no evidence for deliberate ingestion as a performance-enhancing agent, just a detection and an infringement. We are talking about a trace only, not a large neon sign saying “drugs on board”. Perhaps a plasticiser test may have helped clear the air, but as it stands the personal fairness of this decision is really only known to Contador himself. And if he truly didn’t know then he’d be gutted. Or worse.
But he’s not the first such case, after all. And others less well known have arguably suffered even more. There’s also a certain irony in his old team captain getting let off the hook (for perfectly valid reasons) in the same week.
CAS Sanction Contador With Two Year Ban In Clenbuterol Case | Cyclingnews.com
The Court of Arbitration for Sport has handed Alberto Contador a two year sanction for his positive test for clenbuterol at the 2010 Tour de France. After a long-running saga, CAS announced on Monday that it had upheld the UCI and WADA’s joint appeal against the Spanish Cycling Federation’s (RFEC) decision not to suspend Contador.
CAS Sanction Contador With Two Year Ban In Clenbuterol Case | Cyclingnews.com
Contador’s positive test dates from July 21, 2010, although the case was not made public until September 30 of that year. In February 2011, the RFEC officially cleared Contador, accepting his explanation that the traces of clenbuterol in his sample had been caused by consuming contaminated meat.
UCI Confirms CAS Decision To Ban Contador | Cyclingnews.com
The UCI had appealed the Spanish cycling federation’s decision to acquit Contador, and the CAS has now upheld the UCI’s view.
“However, the UCI has not derived a sense of satisfaction from the CAS ruling, but rather welcomes the news as the end of a long-running affair that has been extremely painful for cycling,” the organization said in a press release issued Monday midday.
Without wanting to enter into the details of the ruling, UCI President Pat McQuaid said: “This is a sad day for our sport. Some may think of it as a victory, but that is not at all the case. There are no winners when it comes to the issue of doping: every case, irrespective of its characteristics, is always a case too many.”
Pereiro Furious Over Contador’s CAS Ban | Cyclingnews.com
“Two years of sanctions to Alberto Contador and the judgement says that the doping is not proven,” he tweeted. “Then? Sons of a ….”
In another tweet, he referred to Alejandro Valverde, who just came off a two-year ban. “We have two Spaniards sanctioned, without the UCI or CAS proving it. Shame on you (…) Do you know what I think? He is innocent, I know him. Hopefully he will go through with this to the end and then we will see who we pay for and who does their job like shit.”
Pereiro Furious Over Contador’s CAS Ban | Cyclingnews.com
What really is rotten in cycling are the leaders who become millionaires with our sweat and effort. And they wait two years for this and don’t have the balls to say anything at the time? You will see the dust of Mr. McQuaid and company.”
Andy Schleck Reacts To Contador’s Doping Ban | Cyclingnews.com
“There is no reason to be happy now”, Schleck said in a RadioShack-Nissan press release
“First of all I feel sad for Alberto. I always believed in his innocence. This is just a very sad day for cycling. The only positive news is that there is a verdict after 566 days of uncertainty. We can finally move on.”
Spanish Champions Spring To Contador’s Defence | Cyclingnews.com
Floyd Landis was at the same time talking to Australian anti-doping expert Michael Ashenden about his own positive test for testosterone at the 2006 Tour.
“I doped with EPO and blood transfusions,” Landis told Ashenden. “But the strange thing is that at no time during that Tour did I take testosterone, which was the substance that condemned me. Before the Tour I did take it, and that must surely have been how it got into my system because it was in one of the blood bags I used. It wouldn’t surprise me if Contador’s clenbuterol hadn’t followed the same path.
Scarponi Responds To Contador Verdict | Cyclingnews.com
While Gadret insisted that he had no problem with Contador’s participation in the Giro at the time, he conceded that in hindsight, the Spaniard’s presence in Italy had completely altered the way in which the other overall contenders approached the race.
“The important point is that without Contador, it wouldn’t have been the same race. He was so far ahead of everyone else,” Gadret said. “Behind, there was a small nucleus of riders who were very close to each other. The Giro wouldn’t have been skewed and it would have been very interesting.”
Gadret also pointed out that while Contador’s ban is officially two years, in practice, he will only be out of action for a shade over six months. “If I’m calculating right, it’s finished in the month of August,” he said. “He’ll come back and win the Vuelta. That’s going to pass very quickly, It’s only six months off the bike for him.”
Dope: Contador banned, stripped of Tour de France title
The CAS panel imposed the ban in a several-times delayed case and after a three-day hearing of all parties in November.
There was no conclusive evidence that Contador’s test was the result of contaminated meat.
“Unlike certain other countries, notably outside Europe, Spain is not known to have a contamination problem with clenbuterol in meat.
Furthermore, no other cases of athletes having tested positive to clenbuterol allegedly in connection with the consumption of Spanish meat are known.
If nothing else Contador will have plenty of motivation and fresh legs come August 5, 2012.
And on the subject of Alberto’s old team captain and later adversary, Phil Liggett has a strong opinion…
Liggett On Armstrong: The Whole Investigation Was A Waste Of Money | Cyclingnews.com
“He told me in a private situation, when I wasn’t working as a journalist. I was sat in the bedroom some years ago, and I asked him point blank, ‘look Lance, the way I talked you up on television, I would have to back off and resign if you one day went positive’. And he looked at me and he said ‘man I’ve seen death in the face and I don’t take drugs.’ And that’s all he said. I have no reason to disbelieve him.”
“But I’ve been with him on his private jet when he’s been reading stuff on Cyclingnews and he’s gone, ‘god damn it look at what they’re saying about me again’ and he just passes his computer over to his friends.”
If Contador really ingested Clenbuterol inadvertently, without any knowledge or intent, then all, surely, is good. Until WADA decides to appeal, I guess. Six months down, another 6 months of goodness to come?
Now we may think Alberto guilty or innocent, but how could we know? We just get fed the same tainted media beef everyone else gets. We may have doubts about the fairness of this decision to others, particularly to those athletes who have been in similar situations of “inadvertence” but were penalised (see the link to Rory Sutherland’s story, below). Now we can’t turn back the clock and reverse such past “unfair” decisions, they are done and dusted – and personal careers delayed, destroyed or at least deflected onto new paths. (Although you can’t help but wonder if some of those penalised athletes may not be thinking ruefully at this outcome and wondering if there’s a compensation angle opening up here. Sadly that’s unlikely.) And yes, we may imagine making valid exceptions where real doubt exists. But we do have a duty to be careful in choosing our exceptions.
Is Contador an exception to the rule for the right reasons? Or for the wrong ones?
Contador’s spokesman confirms that he’s been cleared of Clenbuterol doping charges
“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.”
Media Reactions To Contador’s Clearing On Doping Charges | Cyclingnews.com
My feeling is that this case (and more generally article 296 of the UCI’s regulations) sets an extremely dangerous precedent. The UCI couldn’t show conclusively that Contador had deliberately taken clenbuterol? OK, does that mean the same now applies when a rider tests positive for EPO?
Media Reactions To Contador’s Clearing On Doping Charges | Cyclingnews.com
is the only real difference between Contador and someone like the American Tom Zirbel, banned for two years after accidentally ingesting the hormone DHEA, the money they were able to invest in their defence?
There are parallels with Rory Sutherland’s case, but with a very different outcome (although Rory thankfully got his career back on track after an enforced delay.)
Rory Sutherland Interview: Rory’s Story | Cyclingnews.com
Sutherland claims he had no prior knowledge of the substance until he was told it was present in his body at the time he was tested, which occurred at the Deutschland Tour (Tour of Germany) in August 2005. Evidence reveals the concentration of Clomiphene in his body was in the range of 5-10 nanograms – in other words, 5-10 billionths of a gram – and it was this argument that was put forward to the disciplinary committee at his November 23 hearing.
Furthermore, an independent investigation committee wrote in its report that it did not find “any indication that Sutherland was directly or indirectly implicated in expressing interest in or in using substances classified as doping agents” and that “Sutherland took the substance unknowingly.”
There are many examples of such “alternative endings” to this “inadvertent ingestion” story. Perhaps Alberto’s story will receive an alternative ending when WADA decides to take it further – or not.
Give the guy a break. He’s definitely a great rider, be he a proven drug “cheat” or not. I can remember former US Postal (or was it Disco, I can’t remember) Matt White reporting many, many years ago that Alberto C. had displayed explosive acceleration in the mountains during training camps. Acceleration that no-one, not even Armstrong, could match. And despite a serious medical setback he has lived up to these stellar expectations, and exceeded them. Alas, such achievements bring doubts as well as fame. Winning the Giro “off the beach” after limited or no preparation was a worry; either he was playing games with the media or he was – and is – a freak. Winning GTs seemingly at will? Well, after a lot of effort – again, a freakish talent, even if one Schleck was able to get close (not to mention one Evans not so long ago).
And let’s be clear: these latest accusations are unproven. Plasticisers in the blood – if true – may indicate nothing more than a modern life style. We all digest plastic incidentally with our food, although the “normal” level of plasticiser detectable in our blood is moot. So once again there’s a question (or 2, or 3) to be answered.
Plasticisers In Contador’s Urine Could Indicate Blood Transfusion | Cyclingnews.com
Alberto Contador returned a positive test for the so-called “plasticisers” in his urine the day before his positive control for Clenbuterol, according to the New York Times. The newspaper also says that the results could indicate that he had had a blood transfusion, which is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
Alberto Contador Tests Positive For Clenbuterol | Cyclingnews.com
Contador won the Tour de France for a third time in July, beating Andy Schleck by 39 seconds.
The doping control in question was carried on July 21 during the second rest of the Tour in Pau, in the Pyrenees. The day after, Contador set up overall victory by finishing in the same time as Schleck at the summit of the Col du Tourmalet.
A message issued by Contador’s personal press officer said Contador had been a victim of food contamination
Lemond Shocked By Contador Positive | Cyclingnews.com
“I find it hard to believe that a professional like Alberto Contador would risk a detectable drug and I can’t believe how many people have left a certain team and then gone positive,” LeMond told Cyclingnews after hearing the news.
Contador was tested several times during this year’s Tour de France but traces of clenbuterol were found in a sample from July 21, the second rest day of the race. The UCI stated that the amount of was 400 times less than the minimum amount World Anti-Doping Agency accredited labs must be able to detect.
Millar Calls For Calm In Contador Case | Cyclingnews.com
It was announced that the three-time Tour champion tested positive for clenbuterol in an almost-undetectable microdose of 50 picograms/millilitre, which is apparently 400 times less than the required limit of detection.
Speaking after taking silver in the elite men’s world championship time trial, Millar called for understanding and patience from the media, fans and the administration. “Let’s wait until all the information is out and give him the benefit of the doubt,” said the British rider. “I think he’s a fantastic athlete and a great human being. I think there’s a very strong chance this is being blown out of proportion.
Contador sample may suggest blood doping
A urine sample taken from three-time Tour de France winner Alberto Contador showed abnormally high levels of plastic residues that could indicate he received a transfusion of his own blood during this year’s race, a person with knowledge of the test results told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
Contador sample may suggest blood doping
Contador’s abnormal sample showed eight times the normal amount of the plasticiser, the person said.
The UCI said the clenbuterol was detected on July 21, the Tour’s final rest day. The plastic residue was found in another test carried out on July 20, according to the source.
Contador sample may suggest blood doping
“There is not even the remotest possibility of speaking of blood manipulation because Alberto has not done anything illegal, neither in the Tour or ever,” he told Cadena Ser radio on Tuesday. “We have absolutely nothing to hide.”
Contador says he may quit if banned
“If this is not resolved favourably and in just fashion then I would have to consider whether I would ever get back on a bike,” Contador told Spanish broadcaster Telecinco as he fights off after a positive test for clenbuterol, a banned substance, during this year’s Tour.
Contador has been provisionally suspended by the International Cycling Union (UCI) after he announced his positive test on Friday – but he insists he is the victim of contaminated food, saying he ate some contaminated meat brought in from Spain
Contador says he may quit if banned
October 4, 2010
Tour de France champion Alberto Contador says he may quit cycling if he is banned for doping.
“If this is not resolved favourably and in just fashion then I would have to consider whether I would ever get back on a bike,” Contador told Spanish broadcaster Telecinco as he fights off after a positive test for clenbuterol, a banned substance, during this year’s Tour.
Contador has been provisionally suspended by the International Cycling Union (UCI) after he announced his positive test on Friday – but he insists he is the victim of contaminated food, saying he ate some contaminated meat brought in from Spain.
Even so, Contador, who tested positive for a minute quantity of the substance on July 21, professed himself in his interview broadcast on Saturday night to be “very optimistic” that he would be absolved.
“I think this will all be resolved in a favourable manner,” the three-times champion insisted.
PezCycling News – What’s Cool In Pro Cycling
So the amount is now 40 times and not 400 times but whatever the amount is, Contador must try and prove that he didn’t ingest the substance knowingly. The Triple Tour de France winner has insisted that he is not guilty of doping and has even stated that he is willing to cut both his hands off to proove it! I’m not sure exactly what that would proove Bert but it certainly would provide a few more blood samples to test anyway!
Give the guy a break. He’s definitely a great rider, be he a proven drug “cheat” or not. I can remember former US Postal (or was it Disco, I can’t remember) Matt White reporting many, many years ago that Alberto C. had displayed explosive acceleration in the mountains during training camps. Acceleration that no-one, not even Armstrong, could match. And despite a serious medical setback he has lived up to these stellar expectations, and exceeded them. Alas, such achievements bring doubts as well as fame. Winning the Giro “off the beach” after limited or no preparation was a worry; either he was playing games with the media or he was – and is – a freak. Winning GTs seemingly at will? Well, after a lot of effort – again, a freakish talent, even if one Schleck was able to get close (not to mention one Evans not so long ago).
And let’s be clear: these latest accusations are unproven. Plasticisers in the blood – if true – may indicate nothing more than a modern life style. We all digest plastic incidentally with our food, although the “normal” level of plasticiser detectable in our blood is moot. So once again there’s a question (or 2, or 3) to be answered.
Plasticisers In Contador’s Urine Could Indicate Blood Transfusion | Cyclingnews.com
Alberto Contador returned a positive test for the so-called “plasticisers” in his urine the day before his positive control for Clenbuterol, according to the New York Times. The newspaper also says that the results could indicate that he had had a blood transfusion, which is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
Alberto Contador Tests Positive For Clenbuterol | Cyclingnews.com
Contador won the Tour de France for a third time in July, beating Andy Schleck by 39 seconds.
The doping control in question was carried on July 21 during the second rest of the Tour in Pau, in the Pyrenees. The day after, Contador set up overall victory by finishing in the same time as Schleck at the summit of the Col du Tourmalet.
A message issued by Contador’s personal press officer said Contador had been a victim of food contamination
Lemond Shocked By Contador Positive | Cyclingnews.com
“I find it hard to believe that a professional like Alberto Contador would risk a detectable drug and I can’t believe how many people have left a certain team and then gone positive,” LeMond told Cyclingnews after hearing the news.
Contador was tested several times during this year’s Tour de France but traces of clenbuterol were found in a sample from July 21, the second rest day of the race. The UCI stated that the amount of was 400 times less than the minimum amount World Anti-Doping Agency accredited labs must be able to detect.
Millar Calls For Calm In Contador Case | Cyclingnews.com
It was announced that the three-time Tour champion tested positive for clenbuterol in an almost-undetectable microdose of 50 picograms/millilitre, which is apparently 400 times less than the required limit of detection.
Speaking after taking silver in the elite men’s world championship time trial, Millar called for understanding and patience from the media, fans and the administration. “Let’s wait until all the information is out and give him the benefit of the doubt,” said the British rider. “I think he’s a fantastic athlete and a great human being. I think there’s a very strong chance this is being blown out of proportion.
Contador sample may suggest blood doping
A urine sample taken from three-time Tour de France winner Alberto Contador showed abnormally high levels of plastic residues that could indicate he received a transfusion of his own blood during this year’s race, a person with knowledge of the test results told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
Contador sample may suggest blood doping
Contador’s abnormal sample showed eight times the normal amount of the plasticiser, the person said.
The UCI said the clenbuterol was detected on July 21, the Tour’s final rest day. The plastic residue was found in another test carried out on July 20, according to the source.
Contador sample may suggest blood doping
“There is not even the remotest possibility of speaking of blood manipulation because Alberto has not done anything illegal, neither in the Tour or ever,” he told Cadena Ser radio on Tuesday. “We have absolutely nothing to hide.”
Contador says he may quit if banned
“If this is not resolved favourably and in just fashion then I would have to consider whether I would ever get back on a bike,” Contador told Spanish broadcaster Telecinco as he fights off after a positive test for clenbuterol, a banned substance, during this year’s Tour.
Contador has been provisionally suspended by the International Cycling Union (UCI) after he announced his positive test on Friday – but he insists he is the victim of contaminated food, saying he ate some contaminated meat brought in from Spain
Contador says he may quit if banned
October 4, 2010
Tour de France champion Alberto Contador says he may quit cycling if he is banned for doping.
“If this is not resolved favourably and in just fashion then I would have to consider whether I would ever get back on a bike,” Contador told Spanish broadcaster Telecinco as he fights off after a positive test for clenbuterol, a banned substance, during this year’s Tour.
Contador has been provisionally suspended by the International Cycling Union (UCI) after he announced his positive test on Friday – but he insists he is the victim of contaminated food, saying he ate some contaminated meat brought in from Spain.
Even so, Contador, who tested positive for a minute quantity of the substance on July 21, professed himself in his interview broadcast on Saturday night to be “very optimistic” that he would be absolved.
“I think this will all be resolved in a favourable manner,” the three-times champion insisted.
PezCycling News – What’s Cool In Pro Cycling
So the amount is now 40 times and not 400 times but whatever the amount is, Contador must try and prove that he didn’t ingest the substance knowingly. The Triple Tour de France winner has insisted that he is not guilty of doping and has even stated that he is willing to cut both his hands off to proove it! I’m not sure exactly what that would proove Bert but it certainly would provide a few more blood samples to test anyway!
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