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.”

 

Of course it’s different if you drop a chain or make a clumsy, newbie gear-change, then you are expected to wait, aren’t you? But if a spectator brings half the field down then it’s open slather, apparently. (Armstrong proved that in ’99.) And of course Cancellara didn’t call a “too dangerous” truce this time either. That nit-picking aside, it’s sad to see the competition for stage honours reduced in such a way, let alone Contador losing over a minute. And no I’m not a fan of waiting for riders who have made their own mistakes, but it’s a fine line that gets drawn sometimes and a difficult one to be certain about. That’s bike racing.

I still don’t think the pure sprinters had a chance but a few of the more experienced hands would have played things differently had they been able to get up the front, post-crash. Mind you, Hushovd had a dig, unlike Boonen, Cavendish, Renshaw and Goss who seemed to hit the wall somewhat. At least they were there. Can’t blame Greipel, he did a ton of work for Gilbert. In the end it was Lotto’s protected rider doing what he does on a hill like this, and Cadel Evans pretty well doing what he does best as well – grinding it out steadily up a hill at a pace few can match. If there had been another 100m to go then Evans may well have passed Gilbert, but it’s all in the timing, ain’t it?

Tour De France: Stage 1, Route Maps & Results | Cyclingnews.com

when they realised that Contador wasn’t among them, they showed no mercy, driving the group and quickly carving out a forty-second advantage. Behind, Contador seemed isolated.

It’s not just the appeal hanging over his head, it’s the whole sense of unease that hangs over the sport. Part – if not most – of which is the residual “Lance effect”, that feeling that winning should not look so easy and be so repeatable. As in endlessly repeatable. Yes, I know, you can’t judge effort on appearances, and you certainly can’t pass judgement on a rider – a person – simply because of their performance on a bike. But Contador was streets ahead, again, against a field that – let’s be honest – lacked some of the stars that it should have had. Which probably wouldn’t have mattered, given Andy Schleck’s current form, but it somehow made this Giro a little less compelling.

Which leaves room to wonder if he’ll be able to peak again in July, given that the CAS appeal has slipped back. At least we’ll see all of the big guns there, hopefully motivated and on top form for a long, hard – and closely fought – Tour.

And we can’t leave Italy without noting the sad loss of life: RIP Wouter.

Giro D’Italia: Stage 21, Route Maps & Results | Cyclingnews.com

Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank-SunGard) sealed overall victory in the Giro d’Italia on Sunday with a third place finish in the concluding time trial in Milan, won by David Millar (Garmin-Cervélo). In the battle for second place, Michele Scarponi (Lampre-ISD) held off the challenge of a flagging Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas-Cannondale), on a day that saw few decisive brushstrokes added to the Giro’s overall picture.

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.

Although I wanted to believe that Ricco could resist temptation it looks increasingly unlikely that he’ll talk his way out of this one – even if it is all hearsay at the moment. And we haven’t heard from him at all (is he even able to speak right now?) so who knows what has really happened. OTOH Contador has put up a good, spirited case against overwhelmingly solid evidence. Yet I have a sneaking suspicion he’ll get off, despite premature announcements of guilt and a 1 year ban. He’s definitely positive for a banned substance – and many others have just copped it sweet for these “inadvertent ingestion” calls – but the signals are very mixed. The UCI doesn’t want to interfere, yet they don’t want to “crucify” him either. And the Spanish are hesitant with their “proposals”. We shall soon know.

SBS: Cycling Central : Vacansoleil suspend Ricco

Ricco returned from a doping ban early last year however the Italian climbing specialist aroused suspicion when he was admitted to hospital last week suffering from a suspected blood infection.

Reports claimed Ricco made himself ill by injecting blood which had not been stored properly.

A Vacansoleil statement issued overnight meanwhile suggested they had found enough proof of a doping infraction to suspend the Italian, and were taking legal advice about ending his contract.

SBS: Cycling Central : Spanish PM defends Contador

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has defended Tour de France champion Alberto Contador, who is facing a one-year ban for doping offences.

SBS: Cycling Central : Spanish PM defends Contador

Despite repeatedly denying taking any banned substances, blaming the result on food contamination, it increasingly looks like stage racing’s biggest talent will be banned.

The Spanish cycling federation (RFEC) made a proposal last month to ban Contador for a year.

Contador positive for Clenbuterol in four different tests

Previously reported as positive on two days, the Spanish media has reported that Alberto Contador’s samples showed traces of Clenbuterol on four different occasions, spread over five days.

Plenty of these positives still flying around. I guess that’s a positive in itself, but I can’t help but wonder how many get missed. Meanwhile Contador will be appealing his 1 year “rest”. I do wonder if he is actually guilty, or if he is simply tainted by past associations. I get the feeling that many people feel he is “guilty” but there doesn’t appear to be that final, definite “proof”. Although a positive for Clenbuterol does suggest a certain degree of walking the edge.

Spain’s David Garcia handed two-year doping ban

Spanish cyclist David Garcia has been handed a two-year doping ban following his positive test at the last Tour of Spain, the Spanish Cycling Federation said Thursday.

Garcia, who finished in 11th place competing with the Xacobeo team at LaVuelta, took the in-competition test on September 13 after which the Madrid laboratory analysing his sample detected banned blood booster EPO.

The World Anti-Doping Agency-accredited laboratory in Madrid indicated an adverse analytical finding of EPO and found the racer had tested positive for another prohibited substance, Hydroxyethyl Starch (HES), based on samples taken on September 16 in Cologne, Germany.

At news conference, Contador vows to appeal

An angry Alberto Contador on Friday vowed to fight a proposed one-year doping ban and reasserted his claims of innocence against charges that he doped to win the 2010 Tour de France.

Speaking publicly for the first time since news broke Wednesday that he’s facing a one-year ban and disqualification of his 2010 Tour victory after traces of clenbuterol turned up in a doping control, Contador promised to fight “until the end” to clear his name.

At news conference, Contador vows to appeal

“I am innocent. I have never doped in my career. I say that loud and clear, with my head held high. I am an example of cleanliness in this sport.”

There’s so much to think about here. Alberto can appeal, firstly. Or he can cop it sweet and have another rest year. Or he could just retire. It also opens up a spot for an unemployed rider or 2 in Bjarne‘s team. And it presumably moves Andy Schleck up a place into the winner’s spot of the 2010 Tour. He’ll really want to win this year to prove himself. And with no Contador it opens up the 2011 season once again. All very bizarre.

It’s a tough enough sport anyway without this constant revisionism. Whilst a level playing field is ideal – as a rider myself the concept of “fairplay” makes a lot of sense – this is terrible price to pay for what I described earlier as a homeopathic dose of a drug that may in fact do very little. Sadly there also remains a chance that Contador took it unknowingly, as much as we may like to think we’ve just brought down another cheat. Either way, rules are rules.

SBS: Cycling Central : Contador one-year ban is offiicial

“Alberto Contador has received today a notification of one year ban proposal by the Competition Committee of the Spanish Federation,” said the spokesperson.

“Therefore, together with Bjarne Riis (director of his team Saxo Bank), a Press Conference will be held next Friday, January 28, at 16:00 hours (2am AEDT, Saturday), at the Hotel Son Net in Palma de Mallorca, to express their opinion about this case.”

Contador To Receive One-year Ban For Clenbuterol Positive | Cyclingnews.com

Contador tested positive for a low level of the banned substance Clenbuterol during the 2010 Tour de France’s second rest day in Pau. He claimed the adverse finding was the result of contaminated meat. He was provisionally suspended by the UCI in September after the announcement of the test results was made.

Well that’s an odd thing to say. Contador won Le Tour, check. He was tested positive for a minute amount of Clenbuterol, check. But any amount is too much, check. Contador says he didn’t do it, it was in beef brought over from Spain, check that too. There’s no decision as yet, and there may be an appeal in any case. Check again. Yet  the president of the UCi is apparently telling the press that – guilty or innocent – Contador has sullied the name of cycling. Even if he’s innocent. Now that’s quite a statement.

Don’t you love this sport’s administration? So professional in its approach. At least we know where the UCI stands on this question.

Contador Has Damaged Cycling, Says McQuaid | Cyclingnews.com

“I don’t want to speak about the affair before it is concluded. But naturally, the fact that the Clenbuterol was found overshadows last year’s Tour de France. Whether he is guilty or not, Contador has damaged us very much,” said McQuaid, also clarifying his recent comments doubting Contador’s presence at this year’s Tour.

Just documenting it as it falls… not that I can really tell you much about Ortega anyway. As for Contador, well he seems to get pinned with everything that moves in Spain now, no matter how slim the evidence.

Portugal Stage Winner Ortega Tests Positive For EPO | Cyclingnews.com

Carlos Pereira, sports director for the Portuguese Continental team Barbot-Siper, has admitted to A Bola that one of his riders, Joaquín Ortega, tested positive for EPO prior to the Tour of Portugal. Ortega won the sixth stage of the national event, but returned a positive sample before the stage race and will now face a two-year ban, on top of losing his victory.

Contador Denies Link To Madrid Doping Suspect | Cyclingnews.com

Interviú describes Fernández Alba, who works at the SPE “clinical gym” in Majadahonda, north of Madrid, as Contador’s “manager, discoverer and coach”. However, it appears that the pair’s only connection is via the Madrid regional cycling team that Contador rode for before turning pro.

In a statement, Contador’s press officer, Jacinto Vidarte, has said: “Alberto Contador categorically denies the information published in Interviú magazine in which it is stated that the current president of the Madrid’s Cycling Federation was his discoverer and manager, as well as being a client of his at the centre where he is a technical director in the town of Majadahonda.”

Prolonging the pain in a long-drawn-out doping case isn’t fair to the athlete, the sport or the public. But then again the process itself has to be fair and the outcome balanced and just – it simply takes time. Hinault also makes some good points on recent cases where the penalties applied have appeared somewhat umm, odd. 

Hinault Frustrated By Delays In Contador Case | Cyclingnews.com

“Why drag the Contador case on so long? It is quite simple: yes or no,” Hinault told Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad. “What is the point of WADA buying a steak to see whether or not it contains clenbuterol. The animal which was eaten by Contador has been dead much longer.”

If found guilty of doping, Contador faces a two-year ban from competition. Regardless of the outcome of the case, Hinault called for anti-doping authorities to institute consistent bans on athletes across all sports. He cited the example of tennis player Richard Gasquet and swimmer Frederick Bousquet. Last year Gasquet’s two-year ban for cocaine was reduced to two months after authorities accepted his defence that a kiss with a girl in Miami had caused his positive, while this year Bousquet was given a two-month ban after he tested positive for the banned stimulant Heptaminol.

“I hope every athlete is treated equally by WADA,” said Hinault. “Richard Gasquet, the French tennis player, tests positive and gets away with it because he kissed a girl. The French world class swimmer Frederick Bousquet is positive and comes away with two months. Come on.”

Prolonging the pain in a long-drawn-out doping case isn’t fair to the athlete, the sport or the public. But then again the process itself has to be fair and the outcome balanced and just – it simply takes time. Hinault also makes some good points on recent cases where the penalties applied have appeared somewhat umm, odd. 

Hinault Frustrated By Delays In Contador Case | Cyclingnews.com

“Why drag the Contador case on so long? It is quite simple: yes or no,” Hinault told Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad. “What is the point of WADA buying a steak to see whether or not it contains clenbuterol. The animal which was eaten by Contador has been dead much longer.”

If found guilty of doping, Contador faces a two-year ban from competition. Regardless of the outcome of the case, Hinault called for anti-doping authorities to institute consistent bans on athletes across all sports. He cited the example of tennis player Richard Gasquet and swimmer Frederick Bousquet. Last year Gasquet’s two-year ban for cocaine was reduced to two months after authorities accepted his defence that a kiss with a girl in Miami had caused his positive, while this year Bousquet was given a two-month ban after he tested positive for the banned stimulant Heptaminol.

“I hope every athlete is treated equally by WADA,” said Hinault. “Richard Gasquet, the French tennis player, tests positive and gets away with it because he kissed a girl. The French world class swimmer Frederick Bousquet is positive and comes away with two months. Come on.”

I’ve made all of this up. Truly, I have!

Alberto: I didn’t take it, why would I want to take it and it was only a tiny amount anyway. Innocent!
Those out to get Alberto: doesn’t matter how much, he took it and we found plasticiser as well. And he once rode with a team of other highly successful people we distrust. And he’s Spanish. Guilty!
Spanish cycling federation: stop picking on us!
Alberto: I don’t like French meat so I had some Spanish meat brought in, that’s where it came from. Innocent!
Possibly disgruntled Astana ex-employee: Oh yeah, he takes it all the time in microdoses to adjust his weight.
Those out to get Alberto: A-hah, told you so! And why didn’t he mention the Spanish meat before, and why hasn’t he proved it with receipts and tests and it doesn’t matter anyway. Guilty!
Alberto: Yay, I have found the receipts. Innocent! Anyway, if you ban me I’ll never race again, promise! Innocent!
Those out to get Alberto: threatening to quit proves nothing. Clenbuterol isn’t used in Spanish agriculture anymore. Guilty!
Spanish Guardia Civil: Hey, we just found a gang of pharmacists, horse-trainers and one cyclist we think was selling Clenbuterol to Spanish farmers. Innocent! Hmmm, one cyclist?
Those out to get Alberto: Hey, doesn’t Fuentes live in Gran Canaria? Guilty!

Truth or fiction, it’s building up into a fascinating story.

34 Arrested In Spanish Clenbuterol Investigation | Cyclingnews.com

The Spanish Guardia Civil have arrested 34 people in Tenerife and Gran Canaria on suspicion of running a doping ring that has been illegally selling a clenbuterol-based product. Those arrested have been charged with fraud and crimes against public health.

Among those arrested were 13 pharmacists, eight pharmacy assistants, nine veterinarians, a cattle-breeder, a pharmaceutical salesman, a bodybuilder and a cyclist.

Arrests made in Spanish Clenbuterol investigation in Gran Canaria and Tenerife

While the cyclist who has been arrested is the sole link to the sport thus far, the story is relevant as Tour de France champion Alberto Contador has tested positive for the same substance. He claimed that he ate it in contaminated meat bought by a friend in Irun, on the French-Spanish border, and brought to the Tour.

Clenbuterol use has been banned in livestock for several years and testing in 2008 and 2009 revealed no traces of the substance. Contador must provide proof that the ingestion of the substance did indeed come from this source in order to try to escape, or reduce, sanction.

Arrests made in Spanish Clenbuterol investigation in Gran Canaria and Tenerife

Gran Canaria and Tenerife are popular training locations for professional cyclists due to the terrain and possibility of altitude training on the latter. The alleged doping doctor Eufemiano Fuentes, who was at the epicentre of the Operación Puerto doping affair, lives in Gran Canaria.

Clenbuterol – Buy Clenbuterol – Visa Paypal

Until recently, Clembuterol (sic) was ingested only by those who were aware of its functions and usage, mostly by weight lifters, bodybuilders and athletes. However, today Clenbuterol seems to be sought after by more people, most them having absolutely no idea of what it does or how they should use it or what they have to do while using Clenbuterol.

In some countries, doctors prescribe Clenbuterol to treat Asthma and some smart folks in the physical training industry stumbled upon the fact that you can burn fat faster if you ingest Clenbuterol just a little more than the prescribed dosage and sweat it out in a gym.

I’ve made all of this up. Truly, I have!

Alberto: I didn’t take it, why would I want to take it and it was only a tiny amount anyway. Innocent!
Those out to get Alberto: doesn’t matter how much, he took it and we found plasticiser as well. And he once rode with a team of other highly successful people we distrust. And he’s Spanish. Guilty!
Spanish cycling federation: stop picking on us!
Alberto: I don’t like French meat so I had some Spanish meat brought in, that’s where it came from. Innocent!
Possibly disgruntled Astana ex-employee: Oh yeah, he takes it all the time in microdoses to adjust his weight.
Those out to get Alberto: A-hah, told you so! And why didn’t he mention the Spanish meat before, and why hasn’t he proved it with receipts and tests and it doesn’t matter anyway. Guilty!
Alberto: Yay, I have found the receipts. Innocent! Anyway, if you ban me I’ll never race again, promise! Innocent!
Those out to get Alberto: threatening to quit proves nothing. Clenbuterol isn’t used in Spanish agriculture anymore. Guilty!
Spanish Guardia Civil: Hey, we just found a gang of pharmacists, horse-trainers and one cyclist we think was selling Clenbuterol to Spanish farmers. Innocent! Hmmm, one cyclist?
Those out to get Alberto: Hey, doesn’t Fuentes live in Gran Canaria? Guilty!

Truth or fiction, it’s building up into a fascinating story.

34 Arrested In Spanish Clenbuterol Investigation | Cyclingnews.com

The Spanish Guardia Civil have arrested 34 people in Tenerife and Gran Canaria on suspicion of running a doping ring that has been illegally selling a clenbuterol-based product. Those arrested have been charged with fraud and crimes against public health.

Among those arrested were 13 pharmacists, eight pharmacy assistants, nine veterinarians, a cattle-breeder, a pharmaceutical salesman, a bodybuilder and a cyclist.

Arrests made in Spanish Clenbuterol investigation in Gran Canaria and Tenerife

While the cyclist who has been arrested is the sole link to the sport thus far, the story is relevant as Tour de France champion Alberto Contador has tested positive for the same substance. He claimed that he ate it in contaminated meat bought by a friend in Irun, on the French-Spanish border, and brought to the Tour.

Clenbuterol use has been banned in livestock for several years and testing in 2008 and 2009 revealed no traces of the substance. Contador must provide proof that the ingestion of the substance did indeed come from this source in order to try to escape, or reduce, sanction.

Arrests made in Spanish Clenbuterol investigation in Gran Canaria and Tenerife

Gran Canaria and Tenerife are popular training locations for professional cyclists due to the terrain and possibility of altitude training on the latter. The alleged doping doctor Eufemiano Fuentes, who was at the epicentre of the Operación Puerto doping affair, lives in Gran Canaria.

Clenbuterol – Buy Clenbuterol – Visa Paypal

Until recently, Clembuterol (sic) was ingested only by those who were aware of its functions and usage, mostly by weight lifters, bodybuilders and athletes. However, today Clenbuterol seems to be sought after by more people, most them having absolutely no idea of what it does or how they should use it or what they have to do while using Clenbuterol.

In some countries, doctors prescribe Clenbuterol to treat Asthma and some smart folks in the physical training industry stumbled upon the fact that you can burn fat faster if you ingest Clenbuterol just a little more than the prescribed dosage and sweat it out in a gym.

Funny how Andy Schleck’s supporters got so much currency out of Alberto Contador’s apparent (and opportune) ignorance of Andy’s unfortunate gear-shift stuff-up during Le Tour yet Phillipe Gilbert gets nothing but praise for his decisive attacking style, even when it’s at the expense of a crashed rider. Yes, yes, Grand Tours aren’t like one day races. Yes, yes, it’s different when you are racing for the last monument of the year – there’s no “next day” to make amends. But it’s still in stark contrast to the “Contador should have waited” pleadings. Has anyone criticised Gilbert for taking ‘undue or unsportsmanlike’ advantage?

Oh, in case you don’t know, I think that mechanicals and crashes, like illness and weather, are all part of racing and you should just get over it. Whilst I always appreciated a bunch waiting for me (or at least wondering what happened) after a mid-race mishap I never expected them to…  it’s not a training ride, it’s a race. Some thoughtfulness and diligence applies, sure, and there’s always room to ride fair and clean – but it’s still a race littered with obstacles and what-ifs. And those who get around the obstacles best win.   

Gilbert Relishes Cold And Wet Conditions At Lombardy | Cyclingnews.com

Gilbert admitted he heard Nibali crash and accelerated to make sure the Italian did not get back up to him.

“I didn’t see him crash but I heard it. I thought it was him because I didn’t see him and then Lastras told me. I went hard so that he couldn’t get back up to us. But that’s all part of racing.”

Funny how Andy Schleck’s supporters got so much currency out of Alberto Contador’s apparent (and opportune) ignorance of Andy’s unfortunate gear-shift stuff-up during Le Tour yet Phillipe Gilbert gets nothing but praise for his decisive attacking style, even when it’s at the expense of a crashed rider. Yes, yes, Grand Tours aren’t like one day races. Yes, yes, it’s different when you are racing for the last monument of the year – there’s no “next day” to make amends. But it’s still in stark contrast to the “Contador should have waited” pleadings. Has anyone criticised Gilbert for taking ‘undue or unsportsmanlike’ advantage?

Oh, in case you don’t know, I think that mechanicals and crashes, like illness and weather, are all part of racing and you should just get over it. Whilst I always appreciated a bunch waiting for me (or at least wondering what happened) after a mid-race mishap I never expected them to…  it’s not a training ride, it’s a race. Some thoughtfulness and diligence applies, sure, and there’s always room to ride fair and clean – but it’s still a race littered with obstacles and what-ifs. And those who get around the obstacles best win.   

Gilbert Relishes Cold And Wet Conditions At Lombardy | Cyclingnews.com

Gilbert admitted he heard Nibali crash and accelerated to make sure the Italian did not get back up to him.

“I didn’t see him crash but I heard it. I thought it was him because I didn’t see him and then Lastras told me. I went hard so that he couldn’t get back up to us. But that’s all part of racing.”

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!

Love the Sydney Morning Herald. McQuaid specifically excludes Contador from his comments, which target other Spanish riders who have been in the doping frame lately, yet the Herald still runs Contador’s photo on the front cover of the online edition with a direct link to the article. Just join the dots I guess.

I don’t think Contador needed to take clenbutorol – there are better ways to dope, after all – and the amount found was, as I said earlier, almost homeopathically small. Now it could still be a sign of blood doping, but equally it could be totally innocent. Whilst i don’t particularly like the guy I still think we should be fair and just in this tar-and-feathering process.

Spain ‘must wake up to problem’

Spain ‘must wake up to problem’
Rupert Guinness
October 3, 2010

THE Spanish government has failed to do enough in the fight against drugs in sport, claims Union Cycliste International president Pat McQuaid.

His accusation follows the provisional suspension of Spain’s former triple world cross country mountain bike champion Margarita Fullana for testing positive to erythropoietin [EPO] in an out of competition test on August 30. She still has the right to request and attend the analysis of her B sample.

Her positive test makes her the fourth Spanish cyclist to revealed for failing a drugs test in the past three days. The other three Spaniards are the recent Vuelta a Espana runner-up Ezequiel Mosquera and another strong Vuelta performer and Xacobeo Galicia teammate David Garcia Da Pena, who failed tests taken during the Spanish tour, and Oscar Sevilla who tested positive for hydroxyethyl [HES] at the Vuelta a Columbia on August 15.

Love the Sydney Morning Herald. McQuaid specifically excludes Contador from his comments, which target other Spanish riders who have been in the doping frame lately, yet the Herald still runs Contador’s photo on the front cover of the online edition with a direct link to the article. Just join the dots I guess.

I don’t think Contador needed to take clenbutorol – there are better ways to dope, after all – and the amount found was, as I said earlier, almost homeopathically small. Now it could still be a sign of blood doping, but equally it could be totally innocent. Whilst i don’t particularly like the guy I still think we should be fair and just in this tar-and-feathering process.

Spain ‘must wake up to problem’

Spain ‘must wake up to problem’
Rupert Guinness
October 3, 2010

THE Spanish government has failed to do enough in the fight against drugs in sport, claims Union Cycliste International president Pat McQuaid.

His accusation follows the provisional suspension of Spain’s former triple world cross country mountain bike champion Margarita Fullana for testing positive to erythropoietin [EPO] in an out of competition test on August 30. She still has the right to request and attend the analysis of her B sample.

Her positive test makes her the fourth Spanish cyclist to revealed for failing a drugs test in the past three days. The other three Spaniards are the recent Vuelta a Espana runner-up Ezequiel Mosquera and another strong Vuelta performer and Xacobeo Galicia teammate David Garcia Da Pena, who failed tests taken during the Spanish tour, and Oscar Sevilla who tested positive for hydroxyethyl [HES] at the Vuelta a Columbia on August 15.

Yep, he’s positive to Clenbuterol – but the “dose” is sooo tiny that it couldn’t possibly have any useful effect… unless this asthma medication has some previously unknown/un-noted masking or multiplier effect, of course – I’d say he’ll get off. We’ll see what happens next.

PezCycling News – What’s Cool In Pro Cycling

An independent expert opinion from Dr. Douwe de Boer of The Netherlands (attached) and the facts of the situation point to Alberto accidentally ingesting Clenbuterol by eating contaminated meat. The trace amounts and timing of detection also show that Alberto could never have received a performance enhancement of Clenbuterol.

Following is a condensed version of Dr. Douwe de Boer’s expert opinion:
Alberto Contador underwent sport drug testing during many days of the 2010 Tour de France, including July 19, 20, 21, and 22.

No Clenbuterol was detected in any of the tests prior to July 21.

An extremely low trace concentration of Clenbuterol was found in the urine sample taken on July 21; the concentration found in the urine sample taken on July 22 was even lower.

The half-life of Clenbuterol is 25-39 hours.

These facts show that Clenbuterol was ingested after the urine testing on July 20 in an amount that could have never enhanced his performance.

There are numerous documented cases of humans ingesting Clenbuterol accidentally by eating meat from animals that have been fed the substance to stimulate growth.

Yep, he’s positive to Clenbuterol – but the “dose” is sooo tiny that it couldn’t possibly have any useful effect… unless this asthma medication has some previously unknown/un-noted masking or multiplier effect, of course – I’d say he’ll get off. We’ll see what happens next.

PezCycling News – What’s Cool In Pro Cycling

An independent expert opinion from Dr. Douwe de Boer of The Netherlands (attached) and the facts of the situation point to Alberto accidentally ingesting Clenbuterol by eating contaminated meat. The trace amounts and timing of detection also show that Alberto could never have received a performance enhancement of Clenbuterol.

Following is a condensed version of Dr. Douwe de Boer’s expert opinion:
Alberto Contador underwent sport drug testing during many days of the 2010 Tour de France, including July 19, 20, 21, and 22.

No Clenbuterol was detected in any of the tests prior to July 21.

An extremely low trace concentration of Clenbuterol was found in the urine sample taken on July 21; the concentration found in the urine sample taken on July 22 was even lower.

The half-life of Clenbuterol is 25-39 hours.

These facts show that Clenbuterol was ingested after the urine testing on July 20 in an amount that could have never enhanced his performance.

There are numerous documented cases of humans ingesting Clenbuterol accidentally by eating meat from animals that have been fed the substance to stimulate growth.

After all of the crashes, the cobbles and the boring yadda-yadda-yadda over a s0-called “mechanical” we finally get to Paris and see Armstrong and his team playing silly games with the rules. Yawn. In a nutshell – whilst it was compelling viewing simply because it’s so damn hard to string so many stages and individual performances into one long race and keep everything hanging together – it was also probably the best example yet of how much better the Giro is as a Grand Tour.

Now whilst this year’s Giro was possibly flawed by a lack of some key players – like Contador and Armstrong to name but 2 – the organisers still pulled off a magnificent race as well as a spectacle. It’s the racing that has deteriorated in France whilst it has prospered in Italy. Yeah, OK, I didn’t ride Le Tour this year – or any year for that matter – but I know what I like. And the racing was effectively a fizzer, outside of the points and climbers classifications at least.

Of course even a fizzer of a Grand Tour beats just about anything else in sport. But it was still a dud in comparison with past glories. (I’m sure those who raced it and suffered have a different opinion but there you go. I’m one of the customers and we – all of us – are always right, eh?

Petacchi Emotional About Green Jersey Success | Cyclingnews.com

Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre-Farnese Vini) finished second behind Mark Cavendish (HTC-Columbia) but had plenty to celebrate as he looked up to the Arc du Triomphe after crossing the finish line on the Champs-Élysées. With Thor Hushovd (Cervélo TestTeam) only finishing seventh, Petacchi was confirmed as the winner of the points competition.

Tour De France: Stage 20, Route Maps & Results | Cyclingnews.com

“This victory cost me a lot,” he said, “and I’m very moved. I suffered a lot, but that’s what you have to do to win the Tour.”

And when the fat lady was warming up her vocal chords, readying her wide-berthed-self to sing to the tune of the Spanish national anthem, with all his might and power, down came HTC-Columbia’s Mark Cavendish on the Champs-Élysées, proving for a fifth time this race, he still is the world’s best sprinter.

Reactions From The Tour’s 20th Stage | Cyclingnews.com

Jens Voigt (Saxo Bank) – 89th on stage, 126th overall @ 3:23:31: It’s the 13th time I enter Paris after a long and tiring Tour de France and I have the exact same feeling every single time: goose bumps. It’s a goose bump situation.

Last year I wasn’t able to go all the way with the guys but this year, I would have done the final stage on a three-wheeled bike to cross the finish line with my friends.

PezCycling News – What’s Cool In Pro Cycling

Alberto Contador has now won the Tour de France three times. In two of those victories, he’s won by fewer than 40 seconds (23 seconds in 2007 and 39 seconds in 2010), and in 2009 he beat Andy Schleck by 4:11. Winning is what matters most, but especially this year, Contador never had a secure lead in the yellow jersey until the final 10 kilometers of the Stage 19 time trial. That’s a stressful way to win the Tour, and a risky one.

After all of the crashes, the cobbles and the boring yadda-yadda-yadda over a s0-called “mechanical” we finally get to Paris and see Armstrong and his team playing silly games with the rules. Yawn. In a nutshell – whilst it was compelling viewing simply because it’s so damn hard to string so many stages and individual performances into one long race and keep everything hanging together – it was also probably the best example yet of how much better the Giro is as a Grand Tour.

Now whilst this year’s Giro was possibly flawed by a lack of some key players – like Contador and Armstrong to name but 2 – the organisers still pulled off a magnificent race as well as a spectacle. It’s the racing that has deteriorated in France whilst it has prospered in Italy. Yeah, OK, I didn’t ride Le Tour this year – or any year for that matter – but I know what I like. And the racing was effectively a fizzer, outside of the points and climbers classifications at least.

Of course even a fizzer of a Grand Tour beats just about anything else in sport. But it was still a dud in comparison with past glories. (I’m sure those who raced it and suffered have a different opinion but there you go. I’m one of the customers and we – all of us – are always right, eh?

Petacchi Emotional About Green Jersey Success | Cyclingnews.com

Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre-Farnese Vini) finished second behind Mark Cavendish (HTC-Columbia) but had plenty to celebrate as he looked up to the Arc du Triomphe after crossing the finish line on the Champs-Élysées. With Thor Hushovd (Cervélo TestTeam) only finishing seventh, Petacchi was confirmed as the winner of the points competition.

Tour De France: Stage 20, Route Maps & Results | Cyclingnews.com

“This victory cost me a lot,” he said, “and I’m very moved. I suffered a lot, but that’s what you have to do to win the Tour.”

And when the fat lady was warming up her vocal chords, readying her wide-berthed-self to sing to the tune of the Spanish national anthem, with all his might and power, down came HTC-Columbia’s Mark Cavendish on the Champs-Élysées, proving for a fifth time this race, he still is the world’s best sprinter.

Reactions From The Tour’s 20th Stage | Cyclingnews.com

Jens Voigt (Saxo Bank) – 89th on stage, 126th overall @ 3:23:31: It’s the 13th time I enter Paris after a long and tiring Tour de France and I have the exact same feeling every single time: goose bumps. It’s a goose bump situation.

Last year I wasn’t able to go all the way with the guys but this year, I would have done the final stage on a three-wheeled bike to cross the finish line with my friends.

PezCycling News – What’s Cool In Pro Cycling

Alberto Contador has now won the Tour de France three times. In two of those victories, he’s won by fewer than 40 seconds (23 seconds in 2007 and 39 seconds in 2010), and in 2009 he beat Andy Schleck by 4:11. Winning is what matters most, but especially this year, Contador never had a secure lead in the yellow jersey until the final 10 kilometers of the Stage 19 time trial. That’s a stressful way to win the Tour, and a risky one.

Forget the private race between friends Alberto and Andy, it was Menchov and Hesjedal that made the running. The usual Phil and Paul TV commentary was appalling and made it all sound more exciting than the fizzer it really was. But that’s showbiz and the game we are playing these days. If you want to make money, make it dramatic – be it politics or sport, it all comes down to the artificial: the soap-operatic drama of it all. Thus we get the endless inquisition on the so-called “mechanical” and now how the race – a 3 week race, mind – was “really” lost on day 1 (the prologue, I mean) because of a wet road for Andy.

Perhaps we should hold Le Tour inside on single-speed bikes under controlled conditions to save ourselves from sloppy gearchangers and the vagaries of weather?   

OTOH just imagine the race we may have had if Cancellara hadn’t annulled stage 2. Imagine if Andy Schleck was left holding his arm on the side of the road, waiting for a new bike – and was significantly gapped by a host of riders. Imagine if Hushovd and McEwen had got a significant swag of points instead of nothing. Just imagine. And unlike the hamfisted “mechanical” or the state of the weather it was Andy’s teammate Fabian who changed the direction of the whole race. We shouldn’t worry about the little details, it’s the bigger fish we have to fry instead.   

Contador Elated But Admits He Struggled | Cyclingnews.com

“The truth is there’s a lot of emotion. I think it’s the first Tour to give me this much emotion. You can’t imagine how much I’ve given. Yes, there were few days when I wasn’t in my best form, and that might be why I’m so emotional.”

“The last year has been difficult for all kinds of reasons,” the Spaniard said. “This year I’ve not been at my best all the time and that was the case today. But of course in the end I’m very happy with how the year has now turned out. All the victories this year have been the result of a lot of hard work. It’s been said that I’ve not competed in a lot of races but I’ve spent a lot of time away from home preparing for this objective.”

Contador Elated But Admits He Struggled | Cyclingnews.com

“But this year I’ve not been in my best shape. Today I didn’t feel too well. I didn’t sleep well and woke up with stomach ache, but ultimately the day turned out pretty well for me, although I suffered more today than at any other time this year.”

He would not be drawn on how far he was below his best or what his worst days had been. “I can’t really say what percentage I was below my best, but there were some moments that I had the same good sensations as last year. I wasn’t at the same level as last year, but I still managed to win. I won’t say which my bad days were. I’ll keep that to myself for obvious reasons.

PezCycling News – What’s Cool In Pro Cycling

The wind makes Denis Menchov’s ride all the more impressive. He was the fourth from final rider to leave the start house and he managed to finish 11th in the time trial and take two minutes out of Sammy Sanchez. He was the top-placed rider of anyone in the top 10 overall, and his performance moved him ahead of Sanchez and into third place overall. For years, Menchov has been talked about as a potential Tour de France winner, but in each of his previous attempts at the race he’s cracked and fallen out of contention. This year he quietly rode a nearly-perfect race. He wasn’t able to stay with Andy Schleck or Alberto Contador in the mountains, but with the 2009 Giro d’Italia victory in his back pocket and a really strong performance in this year’s Tour de France, he could very well return to the Tour in 2011 as a very serious contender for the overall victory. This would be especially true if the 2011 edition of the race has two long individual time trials and/or a team time trial.

PezCycling News – What’s Cool In Pro Cycling

There’s also no doubt that the chance to take the yellow jersey off Contador’s back today provided immense motivation, perhaps more so than last year when the two riders entered the final time trial separated by 2:26 (a gap Schleck knew to be unassailable).

But I have a hunch that Schleck’s result today was not an anomaly. I don’t think he pulled a once-in-a-lifetime effort out of his body today, but that he’s significantly narrowed the gap between himself and Alberto Contador in terms of time trials. And if Andy Schleck continues to improve in the mountains (he and Contador were equals in the mountains this year, where Contador could accelerate away from him last year) and in the time trials, he could very well beat Contador in the 2011 Tour de France.

Tour De France: Stage 19, Route Maps & Results | Cyclingnews.com

“I did the first 40km really, really fast,” said Schleck. “I lost more in the final 10 kilometres than in the rest but I fought to the end.”

The Luxembourger accepted his defeat, even more so because it did not come down to the mechanical. When asked about the 42 seconds he conceded to the Spaniard on the Tour’s very first day, three weeks ago, Schleck said, “The prologue was terrible for me but it’s part of the Tour de France. I haven’t got any regrets. Anything can happen in the Tour. I know that. I’m satisfied and I’ll be back next year to try and win,” he said.

Tour De France: Stage 19, Route Maps & Results | Cyclingnews.com

Menchov will thus be the third man to feature on the famed podium on the Champs-Elysées Sunday evening, with the rest of the top ten classification unchanged except for Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Transitions), who moved up from eighth to seventh: an excellent performance for the 29-year-old Canadian.

Tour de France Stage 19

Garmin team rider Johan Van Summeren of Belgium falls at the start of the individual time-trial. Photo: Reuters

Hesjedal into 7th overall, DZ takes 5th on day – Tour de France, stage 19 – Team Garmin-Transitions

Hesjedal’s amazing run up the overall began after the crash-marred stage 2 that saw Christian Vande Velde abandon.

“On the morning of stage 3, Matt White said, ‘It’s open, give it the best you can.’ I didn’t wait around,” he told Velonews’ Neal Rogers.

“I went for it, and I wanted to keep that going the whole race. I didn’t want to be high in the standings and fade away through the Tour de France. I wanted to stay up there.”

“I’ve always believed I was capable, and here I am now.”

addicted2wheels

I guess yesterday’s – or last night’s – debacle at Le Tour can be blamed on too many riders on too-narrow roads. Add some rain and maybe a sprinkle of oil and bingo, they all fall down. Well, some had better luck than others. Chavanal made his own luck and kept well clear, making his win a deserved one – but the points and time gap were not a “real” result and I’m sure even he feels a bit cheated that the remaining riders – and not just Cancellara, although he spontaneously took up the ‘lead coordinator’ role – turned off the chase. Yes, it was the right thing to do when big names were splattered all over the road – it’s meant to be an athletic contest, not a smash-em-up derby after all. But many of us have been in bike races where conditions were bad – rain, hail, dirt roads, crashes – and still the race went on. So why last night was different I’m not sure. It was bad and riders were confused, but did it need to be neutralised all the way to the end…? What if Cancellara and others were not just seeking to be “fair” to the fallen but also hoping that their teammates made it back, too?

Phil (Anderson) was also asked about Cancellara’s ‘control’ of the “risk” on the stage won by Chavenal, at the expense of those who had suffered and clawed their way back to the front in search of points (like McEwen and Hushovd). Rightly, Phil pointed out the obvious conflict of interest in a rider seemingly annulling a stage (his teammate Andy Shleck had been gapped for example) and pointedly called Cancellara a “bully”. Well Fabian may actually be a very nice guy (Scott Sunderland said so earlier this week so it’s probably true) but he certainly displayed a degree of self-assured “Tour Patron” aura not seen since Lance was the Boss. Or maybe not since Hinault last pulled on the yellow jersey and gave the peleton a piece of his mind.

OTOH there’s money on the line here and decisions were made on the road by individuals with a vested interest in the final result. Now if the riders were not connected by radio to team directors I’d be less inclined to question their motivations, but in any event it was obvious that neutralising the stage was in the best interests of several teams – and perhaps the majority. And the minority who were coerced into following what the Saxo Bank team wanted could do nothing. Oh sure, they could’ve attacked when the main field regrouped but they would also have been chased down by the man with the yellow jersey on his back and given at least some sort of tongue-lashing, or worse.

Forget the private race between friends Alberto and Andy, it was Menchov and Hesjedal that made the running. The usual Phil and Paul TV commentary was appalling and made it all sound more exciting than the fizzer it really was. But that’s showbiz and the game we are playing these days. If you want to make money, make it dramatic – be it politics or sport, it all comes down to the artificial: the soap-operatic drama of it all. Thus we get the endless inquisition on the so-called “mechanical” and now how the race – a 3 week race, mind – was “really” lost on day 1 (the prologue, I mean) because of a wet road for Andy.

Perhaps we should hold Le Tour inside on single-speed bikes under controlled conditions to save ourselves from sloppy gearchangers and the vagaries of weather?   

OTOH just imagine the race we may have had if Cancellara hadn’t annulled stage 2. Imagine if Andy Schleck was left holding his arm on the side of the road, waiting for a new bike – and was significantly gapped by a host of riders. Imagine if Hushovd and McEwen had got a significant swag of points instead of nothing. Just imagine. And unlike the hamfisted “mechanical” or the state of the weather it was Andy’s teammate Fabian who changed the direction of the whole race. We shouldn’t worry about the little details, it’s the bigger fish we have to fry instead.   

Contador Elated But Admits He Struggled | Cyclingnews.com

“The truth is there’s a lot of emotion. I think it’s the first Tour to give me this much emotion. You can’t imagine how much I’ve given. Yes, there were few days when I wasn’t in my best form, and that might be why I’m so emotional.”

“The last year has been difficult for all kinds of reasons,” the Spaniard said. “This year I’ve not been at my best all the time and that was the case today. But of course in the end I’m very happy with how the year has now turned out. All the victories this year have been the result of a lot of hard work. It’s been said that I’ve not competed in a lot of races but I’ve spent a lot of time away from home preparing for this objective.”

Contador Elated But Admits He Struggled | Cyclingnews.com

“But this year I’ve not been in my best shape. Today I didn’t feel too well. I didn’t sleep well and woke up with stomach ache, but ultimately the day turned out pretty well for me, although I suffered more today than at any other time this year.”

He would not be drawn on how far he was below his best or what his worst days had been. “I can’t really say what percentage I was below my best, but there were some moments that I had the same good sensations as last year. I wasn’t at the same level as last year, but I still managed to win. I won’t say which my bad days were. I’ll keep that to myself for obvious reasons.

PezCycling News – What’s Cool In Pro Cycling

The wind makes Denis Menchov’s ride all the more impressive. He was the fourth from final rider to leave the start house and he managed to finish 11th in the time trial and take two minutes out of Sammy Sanchez. He was the top-placed rider of anyone in the top 10 overall, and his performance moved him ahead of Sanchez and into third place overall. For years, Menchov has been talked about as a potential Tour de France winner, but in each of his previous attempts at the race he’s cracked and fallen out of contention. This year he quietly rode a nearly-perfect race. He wasn’t able to stay with Andy Schleck or Alberto Contador in the mountains, but with the 2009 Giro d’Italia victory in his back pocket and a really strong performance in this year’s Tour de France, he could very well return to the Tour in 2011 as a very serious contender for the overall victory. This would be especially true if the 2011 edition of the race has two long individual time trials and/or a team time trial.

PezCycling News – What’s Cool In Pro Cycling

There’s also no doubt that the chance to take the yellow jersey off Contador’s back today provided immense motivation, perhaps more so than last year when the two riders entered the final time trial separated by 2:26 (a gap Schleck knew to be unassailable).

But I have a hunch that Schleck’s result today was not an anomaly. I don’t think he pulled a once-in-a-lifetime effort out of his body today, but that he’s significantly narrowed the gap between himself and Alberto Contador in terms of time trials. And if Andy Schleck continues to improve in the mountains (he and Contador were equals in the mountains this year, where Contador could accelerate away from him last year) and in the time trials, he could very well beat Contador in the 2011 Tour de France.

Tour De France: Stage 19, Route Maps & Results | Cyclingnews.com

“I did the first 40km really, really fast,” said Schleck. “I lost more in the final 10 kilometres than in the rest but I fought to the end.”

The Luxembourger accepted his defeat, even more so because it did not come down to the mechanical. When asked about the 42 seconds he conceded to the Spaniard on the Tour’s very first day, three weeks ago, Schleck said, “The prologue was terrible for me but it’s part of the Tour de France. I haven’t got any regrets. Anything can happen in the Tour. I know that. I’m satisfied and I’ll be back next year to try and win,” he said.

Tour De France: Stage 19, Route Maps & Results | Cyclingnews.com

Menchov will thus be the third man to feature on the famed podium on the Champs-Elysées Sunday evening, with the rest of the top ten classification unchanged except for Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Transitions), who moved up from eighth to seventh: an excellent performance for the 29-year-old Canadian.

Tour de France Stage 19

Garmin team rider Johan Van Summeren of Belgium falls at the start of the individual time-trial. Photo: Reuters

Hesjedal into 7th overall, DZ takes 5th on day – Tour de France, stage 19 – Team Garmin-Transitions

Hesjedal’s amazing run up the overall began after the crash-marred stage 2 that saw Christian Vande Velde abandon.

“On the morning of stage 3, Matt White said, ‘It’s open, give it the best you can.’ I didn’t wait around,” he told Velonews’ Neal Rogers.

“I went for it, and I wanted to keep that going the whole race. I didn’t want to be high in the standings and fade away through the Tour de France. I wanted to stay up there.”

“I’ve always believed I was capable, and here I am now.”

addicted2wheels

I guess yesterday’s – or last night’s – debacle at Le Tour can be blamed on too many riders on too-narrow roads. Add some rain and maybe a sprinkle of oil and bingo, they all fall down. Well, some had better luck than others. Chavanal made his own luck and kept well clear, making his win a deserved one – but the points and time gap were not a “real” result and I’m sure even he feels a bit cheated that the remaining riders – and not just Cancellara, although he spontaneously took up the ‘lead coordinator’ role – turned off the chase. Yes, it was the right thing to do when big names were splattered all over the road – it’s meant to be an athletic contest, not a smash-em-up derby after all. But many of us have been in bike races where conditions were bad – rain, hail, dirt roads, crashes – and still the race went on. So why last night was different I’m not sure. It was bad and riders were confused, but did it need to be neutralised all the way to the end…? What if Cancellara and others were not just seeking to be “fair” to the fallen but also hoping that their teammates made it back, too?

Phil (Anderson) was also asked about Cancellara’s ‘control’ of the “risk” on the stage won by Chavenal, at the expense of those who had suffered and clawed their way back to the front in search of points (like McEwen and Hushovd). Rightly, Phil pointed out the obvious conflict of interest in a rider seemingly annulling a stage (his teammate Andy Shleck had been gapped for example) and pointedly called Cancellara a “bully”. Well Fabian may actually be a very nice guy (Scott Sunderland said so earlier this week so it’s probably true) but he certainly displayed a degree of self-assured “Tour Patron” aura not seen since Lance was the Boss. Or maybe not since Hinault last pulled on the yellow jersey and gave the peleton a piece of his mind.

OTOH there’s money on the line here and decisions were made on the road by individuals with a vested interest in the final result. Now if the riders were not connected by radio to team directors I’d be less inclined to question their motivations, but in any event it was obvious that neutralising the stage was in the best interests of several teams – and perhaps the majority. And the minority who were coerced into following what the Saxo Bank team wanted could do nothing. Oh sure, they could’ve attacked when the main field regrouped but they would also have been chased down by the man with the yellow jersey on his back and given at least some sort of tongue-lashing, or worse.

Le Tour – any Grand Tour, in fact – is a beautiful thing to watch, and this one is no exception. It has had the scenery, the colour and spectacle; the bare, stripped humanity of pain, suffering and glory; as well as the day to day grind and the tactical toing-and-froing that makes long stage racing so engrossing. You can keep your World Cup football, thanks: as wonderful as that round ball game may be it still boils down to short games of skill played by 2 opposing teams on flat pitches; whereas a 3-week bike race is a far longer journey made by individuals and teams over almost insurmountable obstacles, both literally and figuratively, where they all end together, covered in glory. 

Anyway, it’s also boiled down to a battle between 2 riders for top dog status, and that’s what we expected anyway. So no real surprises there. And if Contador wins overall in Paris we still won’t be surprised. Sure there have been other surprises along the way, and lots of colourful detail to savour. So it remains compelling, whilst perhaps not being the best example of a Tour de France to date. But it is the one we have.

Armstrong: I Wish I Was Younger, Faster | Cyclingnews.com

Did the RadioShack team leader have any regrets this year? “I wish that I was younger, faster. I’ve had my time and I’ve got a long history with the Tour de France. I’ve had lots of good moments, got lots of good memories, I’ve also had some good luck, so I can’t complain and I won’t complain.”

PezCycling News – What’s Cool In Pro Cycling

By the time Andy Schleck and Alberto Contador reached the final three kilometers of Stage 17 – and this goes for all the riders behind them as well – there wasn’t much else for them to do but maintain as high a steady pace as they could. At the intensity they were holding, and at that altitude, you only have the potential for one or two big accelerations, and pulling the trigger on those efforts could just as easy backfire on you and push you over your limit. So don’t mistake what you saw in the closing kilometers of the Tourmalet today for a passive ride to the summit; it becomes increasingly difficult for racers who spend very little time competing at elevations above 5,000 feet to launch searing attacks on the upper slopes of the high mountains.

PezCycling News – What’s Cool In Pro Cycling

As the gradient kicked in, Boasson Hagen was the first to be jettisoned from the leaders, Burghardt and Kolobnev pushed on leaving the others floundering in their wake. Meanwhile Saxo were setting up the play for Andy Schleck. Cancellara, followed by Chris Sorensen and then Fuglsang layed down a blistering pace sending many riders out the back; Basso and Evans the most notable, later to be followed backwards by Vinokourov!

PezCycling News – What’s Cool In Pro Cycling

All the pressure was on the young Luxembourger, he had to lead Contador, Schleck needs time in hand for the time trial, but with only 5 kilometres to the line he was running out of road to make his move. The gap between the Schleck/Contador tandem and the hopefuls was creeping over 1 minute.

Nico Roche was yo-yoing just behind the chasers, showing how just how fast the climb was being ridden (and how good he is!). Schleck wanted Contador to come to the front, but that was not going to happen and then at 3.8 K’s Contador shoots past, but Schleck counters and rides up to his shoulder.

Looks were exchanged between the two that would have killed lesser mortals.

Through the mist and the mad crowd the two battle on, as they come to the 1 kilometre flag and the barriers to give them a clear road to the line. 500 metres and Schleck is still on the front as both struggle towards the finish. Out of the darkness Contador comes next to Schleck, but he crosses the line half a wheel behind the young rider.

Le Tour – any Grand Tour, in fact – is a beautiful thing to watch, and this one is no exception. It has had the scenery, the colour and spectacle; the bare, stripped humanity of pain, suffering and glory; as well as the day to day grind and the tactical toing-and-froing that makes long stage racing so engrossing. You can keep your World Cup football, thanks: as wonderful as that round ball game may be it still boils down to short games of skill played by 2 opposing teams on flat pitches; whereas a 3-week bike race is a far longer journey made by individuals and teams over almost insurmountable obstacles, both literally and figuratively, where they all end together, covered in glory. 

Anyway, it’s also boiled down to a battle between 2 riders for top dog status, and that’s what we expected anyway. So no real surprises there. And if Contador wins overall in Paris we still won’t be surprised. Sure there have been other surprises along the way, and lots of colourful detail to savour. So it remains compelling, whilst perhaps not being the best example of a Tour de France to date. But it is the one we have.

Armstrong: I Wish I Was Younger, Faster | Cyclingnews.com

Did the RadioShack team leader have any regrets this year? “I wish that I was younger, faster. I’ve had my time and I’ve got a long history with the Tour de France. I’ve had lots of good moments, got lots of good memories, I’ve also had some good luck, so I can’t complain and I won’t complain.”

PezCycling News – What’s Cool In Pro Cycling

By the time Andy Schleck and Alberto Contador reached the final three kilometers of Stage 17 – and this goes for all the riders behind them as well – there wasn’t much else for them to do but maintain as high a steady pace as they could. At the intensity they were holding, and at that altitude, you only have the potential for one or two big accelerations, and pulling the trigger on those efforts could just as easy backfire on you and push you over your limit. So don’t mistake what you saw in the closing kilometers of the Tourmalet today for a passive ride to the summit; it becomes increasingly difficult for racers who spend very little time competing at elevations above 5,000 feet to launch searing attacks on the upper slopes of the high mountains.

PezCycling News – What’s Cool In Pro Cycling

As the gradient kicked in, Boasson Hagen was the first to be jettisoned from the leaders, Burghardt and Kolobnev pushed on leaving the others floundering in their wake. Meanwhile Saxo were setting up the play for Andy Schleck. Cancellara, followed by Chris Sorensen and then Fuglsang layed down a blistering pace sending many riders out the back; Basso and Evans the most notable, later to be followed backwards by Vinokourov!

PezCycling News – What’s Cool In Pro Cycling

All the pressure was on the young Luxembourger, he had to lead Contador, Schleck needs time in hand for the time trial, but with only 5 kilometres to the line he was running out of road to make his move. The gap between the Schleck/Contador tandem and the hopefuls was creeping over 1 minute.

Nico Roche was yo-yoing just behind the chasers, showing how just how fast the climb was being ridden (and how good he is!). Schleck wanted Contador to come to the front, but that was not going to happen and then at 3.8 K’s Contador shoots past, but Schleck counters and rides up to his shoulder.

Looks were exchanged between the two that would have killed lesser mortals.

Through the mist and the mad crowd the two battle on, as they come to the 1 kilometre flag and the barriers to give them a clear road to the line. 500 metres and Schleck is still on the front as both struggle towards the finish. Out of the darkness Contador comes next to Schleck, but he crosses the line half a wheel behind the young rider.

OK, good to see Armstrong have a go – but all it really did was show us even more clearly that whatever advantage he had in the past he doesn’t have right now. He looks and rides just like old, attacking and almost unbeatable Armstrong but everyone just follows him now – before attacking him.

Somehow a more sluggish Lance (it’s all relative – he’s a rocket compared to most of us) looks wrong, just as it looked like Barredo had drunk too much red cordial during the stage. He kept attacking and getting caught, like it was some sort of sure-fire plan to soften them all up. And yes, it definitely softened a few legs, including his own. It may have softened his brain, too, when he finally got away with a long, long way to go. “Oh sure, I can hold all of ‘em off.” Armstrong, Horner, Cunego, Casar, Fedrigo, Moreau – bunch of no-names really. He managed to fool the “expert” TV commentators, too, who proclaimed “they won’t catch him now” just when his pursuers got serious and started, umm, catching him. Which they duly did. Gosh, caught at 1km to go, who would’ve thought?

Oh well, at least it was interesting viewing, unlike the laughing bunch of happy campers in the peleton behind. You know that when Hushovd is still there despite some big, big climbs – nothing much was happening in the GC bunch. Oh sure it was tough enough to hurt. But Hushovd was probably the most interesting to happen outside of the frantic first hour and the quality breakaway. Moreau clearly profited, too. Scenery’s nice too.

And as for Schleck‘s “fury” at Alberto‘s “mistake”, well that’s all in the past. Gosh, can’t remember the Badger being so forgiving in his day.
    

SBS: Tour de France 2010: Fedrigo makes it six for France

The Luxemburger, who rides for Saxo Bank, is still eight seconds behind Spain’s two-time champion ahead of the race’s second and final rest day and two days before the final day of climbing to the summit of the Tourmalet on stage 17.

A day after they fell out because Contador attacked as Schleck tried to fix his mechanical setback, the pair had shaken hands and made up.

But Schleck warned: “It’s the last week of the Tour and I’m sure that we’ll be battling a lot on the (Col du) Tourmalet,” he said. “The Tour is not over.”

SBS: Tour de France 2010: Fedrigo makes it six for France

FDJ rider Casar, who had shown his finishing skills on a similar profile to win Stage 9, had lost ground with the frontrunners on the race’s fourth categorised climb, the Col de l’Aubisque.

But after he made up his gap of 1min 35sec on the descent, Barredo, perhaps sensing the danger, went off on his own only to be caught, agonisingly, with one kilometre to race.

Armstrong, who had been resting his legs for most of the last few kilometres, made a brief bid for the stage win in the final 500 metres.

However, Fedrigo dropped down a cog or two and maintained his power to surge up the inside of the barriers to beat Casar into second place at the finish line.

Casar said: “I spent a lot of energy just trying to catch the breakaway, but in the sprint I knew Pierrick would be very fast.”

Armstrong’s team manager at RadioShack, Johan Bruyneel, said Armstrong had told him he was tired with around 15km to race.

Contador And Schleck Make Up On French TV | Cyclingnews.com

GH (referring to the video that Contador posted on Youtube in the evening after stage 15): Alberto, is it true that you apologised to Andy?

AC: Yes. I didn’t need to. But we’ve got a very strong friendship and it was for that reason that I wanted to apologise yesterday evening.

AS: I realise that after what happened at Spa the race could already have been over for me. That day the peloton waited for me. Yesterday the situation wasn’t the same, and I realised that I shouldn’t fret about it too much.

PezCycling News – What’s Cool In Pro Cycling

It was flashes of the Lance of old, but one thing had changed, this time his attacks were answered – first by a very strong Carlos Barredo (QS) – this time using his legs and not his fists to do the talking, and then by Bbox’s Pierrick Fedrigo who also looked very strong. It was an exciting stage – but not because of the gc – this one played out much like a transition day with the breakaway providing all the action.

PezCycling News – What’s Cool In Pro Cycling

Days like Stage 16 are included because of how they fit into the big picture of a three-week Grand Tour. If you wanted to make every stage of the race decisive, you could easily create a course so brutal that it would be inhumane. As it is, in this third week of the 2010 Tour de France we have four mountain stages in the Pyrenees, two of which have summit finishes (14 and 17), one which had a descent straight to the finish (15), and today’s. Stage 16 included two Category 1 climbs and two Beyond Category climbs, so even though the race ended with 60 kilometers of gradual descending roads to the finish, it was bound to be a very hard day in the saddle. And that was its biggest contribution to the race.

OK, good to see Armstrong have a go – but all it really did was show us even more clearly that whatever advantage he had in the past he doesn’t have right now. He looks and rides just like old, attacking and almost unbeatable Armstrong but everyone just follows him now – before attacking him.

Somehow a more sluggish Lance (it’s all relative – he’s a rocket compared to most of us) looks wrong, just as it looked like Barredo had drunk too much red cordial during the stage. He kept attacking and getting caught, like it was some sort of sure-fire plan to soften them all up. And yes, it definitely softened a few legs, including his own. It may have softened his brain, too, when he finally got away with a long, long way to go. “Oh sure, I can hold all of ‘em off.” Armstrong, Horner, Cunego, Casar, Fedrigo, Moreau – bunch of no-names really. He managed to fool the “expert” TV commentators, too, who proclaimed “they won’t catch him now” just when his pursuers got serious and started, umm, catching him. Which they duly did. Gosh, caught at 1km to go, who would’ve thought?

Oh well, at least it was interesting viewing, unlike the laughing bunch of happy campers in the peleton behind. You know that when Hushovd is still there despite some big, big climbs – nothing much was happening in the GC bunch. Oh sure it was tough enough to hurt. But Hushovd was probably the most interesting to happen outside of the frantic first hour and the quality breakaway. Moreau clearly profited, too. Scenery’s nice too.

And as for Schleck‘s “fury” at Alberto‘s “mistake”, well that’s all in the past. Gosh, can’t remember the Badger being so forgiving in his day.
    

SBS: Tour de France 2010: Fedrigo makes it six for France

The Luxemburger, who rides for Saxo Bank, is still eight seconds behind Spain’s two-time champion ahead of the race’s second and final rest day and two days before the final day of climbing to the summit of the Tourmalet on stage 17.

A day after they fell out because Contador attacked as Schleck tried to fix his mechanical setback, the pair had shaken hands and made up.

But Schleck warned: “It’s the last week of the Tour and I’m sure that we’ll be battling a lot on the (Col du) Tourmalet,” he said. “The Tour is not over.”

SBS: Tour de France 2010: Fedrigo makes it six for France

FDJ rider Casar, who had shown his finishing skills on a similar profile to win Stage 9, had lost ground with the frontrunners on the race’s fourth categorised climb, the Col de l’Aubisque.

But after he made up his gap of 1min 35sec on the descent, Barredo, perhaps sensing the danger, went off on his own only to be caught, agonisingly, with one kilometre to race.

Armstrong, who had been resting his legs for most of the last few kilometres, made a brief bid for the stage win in the final 500 metres.

However, Fedrigo dropped down a cog or two and maintained his power to surge up the inside of the barriers to beat Casar into second place at the finish line.

Casar said: “I spent a lot of energy just trying to catch the breakaway, but in the sprint I knew Pierrick would be very fast.”

Armstrong’s team manager at RadioShack, Johan Bruyneel, said Armstrong had told him he was tired with around 15km to race.

Contador And Schleck Make Up On French TV | Cyclingnews.com

GH (referring to the video that Contador posted on Youtube in the evening after stage 15): Alberto, is it true that you apologised to Andy?

AC: Yes. I didn’t need to. But we’ve got a very strong friendship and it was for that reason that I wanted to apologise yesterday evening.

AS: I realise that after what happened at Spa the race could already have been over for me. That day the peloton waited for me. Yesterday the situation wasn’t the same, and I realised that I shouldn’t fret about it too much.

PezCycling News – What’s Cool In Pro Cycling

It was flashes of the Lance of old, but one thing had changed, this time his attacks were answered – first by a very strong Carlos Barredo (QS) – this time using his legs and not his fists to do the talking, and then by Bbox’s Pierrick Fedrigo who also looked very strong. It was an exciting stage – but not because of the gc – this one played out much like a transition day with the breakaway providing all the action.

PezCycling News – What’s Cool In Pro Cycling

Days like Stage 16 are included because of how they fit into the big picture of a three-week Grand Tour. If you wanted to make every stage of the race decisive, you could easily create a course so brutal that it would be inhumane. As it is, in this third week of the 2010 Tour de France we have four mountain stages in the Pyrenees, two of which have summit finishes (14 and 17), one which had a descent straight to the finish (15), and today’s. Stage 16 included two Category 1 climbs and two Beyond Category climbs, so even though the race ended with 60 kilometers of gradual descending roads to the finish, it was bound to be a very hard day in the saddle. And that was its biggest contribution to the race.

Did Contador even know what happened? One moment Schleck attacked and put a gap into the others – and to my mind Alberto matched him easily and drew up to his rear wheel. But as Andy went for another gear I presume the chain got stuck between cogs, locking the back wheel solid. Schleck’s momentum rotated the bike’s rear-end upwards – the point where he could have fallen – but he stopped safely, all chain tension gone as the chain fell off the chainring. He fixed the chainring issue but then realised he had to fix the chain wrap too. It took time and his helpers – his teammates – were absent – they had burned themselves out on the climb. Alberto and the others just carried on – afterall they may not have known what had happened anyway. Being a bike race, they carried on with the momentum that Schleck’s attack had generated.

I guess if Contador had known that it wasn’t just bad bike handling – in other words a good ‘ol hamfisted power-on gearchange – then he should have waited. If he had known it was a true “mechanical” – a breakage – or even a fall – then I suspect he would have waited. But it happened suddenly and the cause wasn’t obvious, although someone in the bunch should have seen it clearly enough, even if Contador didn’t. Even after numerous replays I still don’t exactly know what happened, but assume that it was caused by pedalling during a gearchange, possibly made worse by a stuck chain link, a broken cog or something similar. In any event the problem didn’t seem to recur – so he either worked around it from there or there never was a real problem – other than “rider error”. It’s not the first time a bike race has turned on a mechanical, but it’s rarer in these “softer” days of STI-style click-click-click gear changing. (Bring back friction shifting and the fine art of getting the gear “just so” I say.)

Personally I wouldn’t have waited if I thought he’d just stuffed up his gearchange. That’s part of racing – we have to get it right, even gearchanging. If it was obviously a mechanical issue – and I was aware of it – then I would seriously have considered waiting. But if everyone else continued racing I’d join in – I may say something about it, but I’d go with the majority. After all, it’s not as if Schleck had seemingly ridden off a cliff like Ullrich had done a few years ago!

Menchov Focused On Contador, Didn’t Know About Schleck | Cyclingnews.com

On Monday afternoon three men took profit from the mechanical of Andy Schleck (Saxo Bank) on the Port de Balès: Alberto Contador (Astana), who took over the yellow jersey, was the primary beneficiary but the third and fourth-placed riders on general classification, Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) and Denis Menchov (Rabobank) respectively, also reduced their time gap to Schleck.

Menchov responded to the attack from Contador and said that he was focusing on following the Spaniard, rather than checking out what was going on with Schleck. “I can’t explain [what happened with Schleck] because I didn’t see what happened. We know that Alberto and Andy play with each other. We have to follow one of them. I saw the reaction of Contador and I thought it was decisive, so I tried to follow him,” Menchov said.

Menchov Focused On Contador, Didn’t Know About Schleck | Cyclingnews.com

When asked if he felt that what Contador did was fair play or not Menchov passed on the question to the Spaniard. “I don’t know. You’ll have to ask him. The question [what to do with Schleck] didn’t come up in me [during the race],” Menchov said.

PezCycling News – What’s Cool In Pro Cycling

The precedent that is most relevant, in fact, is the 2003 crash of Lance Armstrong. Lance was in the yellow jersey, Jan Ullrich was 15 seconds behind Armstrong in the overall classification, and the crash happened in the heat of the racing on the final mountain of the stage. Today Contador was 31 seconds behind Schleck, who was in the yellow jersey, and although it wasn’t a summit finish, they were on the final mountain of the stage and in the heat of the race. In 2003, the lead group – including Ullrich – appeared to wait, at least for a little while. This year, Contador didn’t wait – but neither did Sammy Sanchez or Denis Menchov.

PezCycling News – What’s Cool In Pro Cycling

When do you decide to wait for a rider who has a mechanical or a flat tire, and when is it “acceptable” to press on? Does it matter if the flat tire or the mechanical problem was the result of the rider’s choice (poor time to shift, ran into a pothole, jumped a curb, etc.) or out of their control?

There are precendents on this side of the argument as well. In 1999 there was a crash on the Passage du Gois that split the peloton. Alex Zulle lost six minutes to Lance Armstrong, who was in the front group. Lance Armstrong was certainly a yellow jersey contender this year during Stage 3, but he got a flat tire at a crucial part of the race on the cobblestones, and no one waited. He crashed on Stage 8 in a roundabout, no one waited. In fact, I’d be willing to bet that there are more examples of the race pressing on after a mishap involving a race favorite – in stage races and one-day races – than there are examples of the race waiting for a favorite to rejoin the lead group. It’s a race, not a tea party, and not a popularity contest. It sucks when you’re the one who falls or has an ill-timed mechanical, but that’s the way it goes. There will be another time when someone’s ill-timed crash or mechanical plays a role in allowing you to win.

PezCycling News – What’s Cool In Pro Cycling

if I had to make a decision today I would say that it would have been nice to see Contador wait for Schleck, but I don’t think he was obligated to. The decision to press on, however, may well haunt Contador later in this race or in the future.

PezCycling News – What’s Cool In Pro Cycling

The twenty or so seconds it took Schleck to remount his chain set up a no holds barred chase and duel to the finish, as both Contador and Schleck drove the pace in their respective groups, and overshadowed what would have otherwise been a big story in itself – French Champ Thomas Voeckler’s solo win on this brutal day. The gritty former Yellow jersey emerged from the day’s escape as last man standing – attacking his break mates midway up the final climb, and soloing to an inspired victory.

Procycling’s Daily Tour De France Dispatch – Stage 15 | Cyclingnews.com

Astana directeur sportif Giuseppe Martinelli in Bagnères de Luchon: “The most important thing for me is to have a clear conscience and I have that tonight. I didn’t tell him to wait, that’s for sure…”

Good news, Alberto – you don’t even have to tell us your radio wasn’t working this time…

Riis Preaches Calm In Aftermath Of Schleck’s Disappointment | Cyclingnews.com

To the thorny question of whether Contador should have waited for Schleck as he attempted to fix his chain, Riis shrugged again. “I would have hoped he would have waited, and I think I would have waited… I think he did wait at the beginning but then it was a while before Andy was on the bike again.

“I don’t know. Was it possible for Contador to wait in that situation, with [Samuel] Sanchez [Euskaltel] and [Denis] Menchov [Rabobank] attacking? He has to follow those guys, for sure. He might not need to pull [with them] or attack, but he has to follow those guys.

SBS: Tour de France 2010: Contador waves off controversy

Schleck had taken a 30-metre lead on Contador but just as the Spaniard began his counter move Schleck came suddenly to a halt. By the time Contador had closed the gap and passed the Luxemburger, Schleck was off his bike and screaming in frustration.

With Schleck left on his own to fix his mechanical problem, Contador raced ahead with Russian Denis Menchov and Spaniard Samuel Sanchez to crest the summit just over 20sec in front of the stricken Luxemburger.

SBS: Tour de France 2010: Contador waves off controversy

However the Luxemburger has a short memory, according to Contador.

The Tour de France champion was among the riders and teams who went beyond gentlemenly fair-play and waited for Schleck and his brother Frank after both were among the multiple crash victims on the rain-hit stage two to Spa.

But the Spaniard went further. Playing down Schleck’s setback – which to most experts is simply part and parcel of racing – he said that he has race to win.

SBS: Tour de France 2010: Schleck’s complaints given short shrift

Bruyneel said the real issue was whether Contador knew Schleck had encountered a problem and deliberately tried to benefit, a suggestion the Spaniard refuted.

When Jan Ullrich crashed in 2001 Armstrong waited for his German rival, who returned the favour in 2003 when Armstrong crashed, along with Spaniard Iban Mayo, on the climb to Luz Ardiden in the Pyrenees.

But Bruyneel was quick to remind Schleck that when the race is really on, you don’t wait around for stricken rivals.

“The question is whether Contador was counter-attacking or just took advantage of a mechanical (problem),” said Bruyneel.

“In the heat of the race and in the final… you can’t say to Contador, ‘Hey, wait for Andy’. Andy didn’t wait for Contador on the cobblestones (stage three) either, I guess.

Did Contador even know what happened? One moment Schleck attacked and put a gap into the others – and to my mind Alberto matched him easily and drew up to his rear wheel. But as Andy went for another gear I presume the chain got stuck between cogs, locking the back wheel solid. Schleck’s momentum rotated the bike’s rear-end upwards – the point where he could have fallen – but he stopped safely, all chain tension gone as the chain fell off the chainring. He fixed the chainring issue but then realised he had to fix the chain wrap too. It took time and his helpers – his teammates – were absent – they had burned themselves out on the climb. Alberto and the others just carried on – afterall they may not have known what had happened anyway. Being a bike race, they carried on with the momentum that Schleck’s attack had generated.

I guess if Contador had known that it wasn’t just bad bike handling – in other words a good ‘ol hamfisted power-on gearchange – then he should have waited. If he had known it was a true “mechanical” – a breakage – or even a fall – then I suspect he would have waited. But it happened suddenly and the cause wasn’t obvious, although someone in the bunch should have seen it clearly enough, even if Contador didn’t. Even after numerous replays I still don’t exactly know what happened, but assume that it was caused by pedalling during a gearchange, possibly made worse by a stuck chain link, a broken cog or something similar. In any event the problem didn’t seem to recur – so he either worked around it from there or there never was a real problem – other than “rider error”. It’s not the first time a bike race has turned on a mechanical, but it’s rarer in these “softer” days of STI-style click-click-click gear changing. (Bring back friction shifting and the fine art of getting the gear “just so” I say.)

Personally I wouldn’t have waited if I thought he’d just stuffed up his gearchange. That’s part of racing – we have to get it right, even gearchanging. If it was obviously a mechanical issue – and I was aware of it – then I would seriously have considered waiting. But if everyone else continued racing I’d join in – I may say something about it, but I’d go with the majority. After all, it’s not as if Schleck had seemingly ridden off a cliff like Ullrich had done a few years ago!

Menchov Focused On Contador, Didn’t Know About Schleck | Cyclingnews.com

On Monday afternoon three men took profit from the mechanical of Andy Schleck (Saxo Bank) on the Port de Balès: Alberto Contador (Astana), who took over the yellow jersey, was the primary beneficiary but the third and fourth-placed riders on general classification, Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) and Denis Menchov (Rabobank) respectively, also reduced their time gap to Schleck.

Menchov responded to the attack from Contador and said that he was focusing on following the Spaniard, rather than checking out what was going on with Schleck. “I can’t explain [what happened with Schleck] because I didn’t see what happened. We know that Alberto and Andy play with each other. We have to follow one of them. I saw the reaction of Contador and I thought it was decisive, so I tried to follow him,” Menchov said.

Menchov Focused On Contador, Didn’t Know About Schleck | Cyclingnews.com

When asked if he felt that what Contador did was fair play or not Menchov passed on the question to the Spaniard. “I don’t know. You’ll have to ask him. The question [what to do with Schleck] didn’t come up in me [during the race],” Menchov said.

PezCycling News – What’s Cool In Pro Cycling

The precedent that is most relevant, in fact, is the 2003 crash of Lance Armstrong. Lance was in the yellow jersey, Jan Ullrich was 15 seconds behind Armstrong in the overall classification, and the crash happened in the heat of the racing on the final mountain of the stage. Today Contador was 31 seconds behind Schleck, who was in the yellow jersey, and although it wasn’t a summit finish, they were on the final mountain of the stage and in the heat of the race. In 2003, the lead group – including Ullrich – appeared to wait, at least for a little while. This year, Contador didn’t wait – but neither did Sammy Sanchez or Denis Menchov.

PezCycling News – What’s Cool In Pro Cycling

When do you decide to wait for a rider who has a mechanical or a flat tire, and when is it “acceptable” to press on? Does it matter if the flat tire or the mechanical problem was the result of the rider’s choice (poor time to shift, ran into a pothole, jumped a curb, etc.) or out of their control?

There are precendents on this side of the argument as well. In 1999 there was a crash on the Passage du Gois that split the peloton. Alex Zulle lost six minutes to Lance Armstrong, who was in the front group. Lance Armstrong was certainly a yellow jersey contender this year during Stage 3, but he got a flat tire at a crucial part of the race on the cobblestones, and no one waited. He crashed on Stage 8 in a roundabout, no one waited. In fact, I’d be willing to bet that there are more examples of the race pressing on after a mishap involving a race favorite – in stage races and one-day races – than there are examples of the race waiting for a favorite to rejoin the lead group. It’s a race, not a tea party, and not a popularity contest. It sucks when you’re the one who falls or has an ill-timed mechanical, but that’s the way it goes. There will be another time when someone’s ill-timed crash or mechanical plays a role in allowing you to win.

PezCycling News – What’s Cool In Pro Cycling

if I had to make a decision today I would say that it would have been nice to see Contador wait for Schleck, but I don’t think he was obligated to. The decision to press on, however, may well haunt Contador later in this race or in the future.

PezCycling News – What’s Cool In Pro Cycling

The twenty or so seconds it took Schleck to remount his chain set up a no holds barred chase and duel to the finish, as both Contador and Schleck drove the pace in their respective groups, and overshadowed what would have otherwise been a big story in itself – French Champ Thomas Voeckler’s solo win on this brutal day. The gritty former Yellow jersey emerged from the day’s escape as last man standing – attacking his break mates midway up the final climb, and soloing to an inspired victory.

Procycling’s Daily Tour De France Dispatch – Stage 15 | Cyclingnews.com

Astana directeur sportif Giuseppe Martinelli in Bagnères de Luchon: “The most important thing for me is to have a clear conscience and I have that tonight. I didn’t tell him to wait, that’s for sure…”

Good news, Alberto – you don’t even have to tell us your radio wasn’t working this time…

Riis Preaches Calm In Aftermath Of Schleck’s Disappointment | Cyclingnews.com

To the thorny question of whether Contador should have waited for Schleck as he attempted to fix his chain, Riis shrugged again. “I would have hoped he would have waited, and I think I would have waited… I think he did wait at the beginning but then it was a while before Andy was on the bike again.

“I don’t know. Was it possible for Contador to wait in that situation, with [Samuel] Sanchez [Euskaltel] and [Denis] Menchov [Rabobank] attacking? He has to follow those guys, for sure. He might not need to pull [with them] or attack, but he has to follow those guys.

SBS: Tour de France 2010: Contador waves off controversy

Schleck had taken a 30-metre lead on Contador but just as the Spaniard began his counter move Schleck came suddenly to a halt. By the time Contador had closed the gap and passed the Luxemburger, Schleck was off his bike and screaming in frustration.

With Schleck left on his own to fix his mechanical problem, Contador raced ahead with Russian Denis Menchov and Spaniard Samuel Sanchez to crest the summit just over 20sec in front of the stricken Luxemburger.

SBS: Tour de France 2010: Contador waves off controversy

However the Luxemburger has a short memory, according to Contador.

The Tour de France champion was among the riders and teams who went beyond gentlemenly fair-play and waited for Schleck and his brother Frank after both were among the multiple crash victims on the rain-hit stage two to Spa.

But the Spaniard went further. Playing down Schleck’s setback – which to most experts is simply part and parcel of racing – he said that he has race to win.

SBS: Tour de France 2010: Schleck’s complaints given short shrift

Bruyneel said the real issue was whether Contador knew Schleck had encountered a problem and deliberately tried to benefit, a suggestion the Spaniard refuted.

When Jan Ullrich crashed in 2001 Armstrong waited for his German rival, who returned the favour in 2003 when Armstrong crashed, along with Spaniard Iban Mayo, on the climb to Luz Ardiden in the Pyrenees.

But Bruyneel was quick to remind Schleck that when the race is really on, you don’t wait around for stricken rivals.

“The question is whether Contador was counter-attacking or just took advantage of a mechanical (problem),” said Bruyneel.

“In the heat of the race and in the final… you can’t say to Contador, ‘Hey, wait for Andy’. Andy didn’t wait for Contador on the cobblestones (stage three) either, I guess.

Fun for some, anyway. Schleck and Contador look as happy to chat and play cat and mouse games as to actually race. When do they get serious? When Menchov gains minutes instead of seconds? What if Menchov blitzes them both in the long TT? Will this gamesmanship be enough to keep me watching? Probably.

Contador: Andy And I Marked Each Other | Cyclingnews.com

“We went head-to-head and didn’t really watch the other riders too closely,” said Contador. “We controlled each other and I think that the fact that we came in together suits me more than him,” he added, alluding to the fact that the Spaniard will be heavily favoured if his deficit on Schleck remains at 31 seconds going into the Pauillac time trial on the penultimate day of the race.

Schleck Plays Mind Games At Ax-3-Domaines | Cyclingnews.com

“To win the Tour, sometimes you have to risk something. I’m well aware that it’s better to have Armstrong ahead these days than Menchov,” said Schleck. “Don’t forget that Menchov is far enough down on us in the general classification. For now, Menchov and Sanchez aren’t a real threat to us. That means there’s a bit of space to [play] poker around,” Schleck said.

Procycling’s Daily Tour De France Dispatch – Stage 14 | Cyclingnews.com

None-too-impressed with Andy Schleck’s descending in the Alps last week, Fignon was dumbfounded today when the current maillot jaune fetched his own food and drinks from the Saxo Bank team car high on the Port de Pailhères.

“I’ve never, ever seen a captain do that when they’ve had a teammate in the group. He’s playing with fire!” the 1983 and 1984 Tour champion gasped.

No such fun for McEwen…
Procycling’s Daily Tour De France Dispatch – Stage 14 | Cyclingnews.com

Robbie McEwen, also a victim of the second stage crash-derby, has been struggling just to hang onto the laughing group. “Being in the gruppetto?” he asked rhetorically. “[On Stage 12 to Mende] I was with one other bloke – that’s not a gruppetto. F***king alone every day, I’ve hardly been in the gruppetto. [Stage 12], it was me and Bert Grabsch for 120k, just two of us.

“I’ve had two bad crashes, lost a lot of blood in the first one because I severed a small artery – the UCI anti-doping people said they could see it in my blood profile that I’d lost a hell of a lot of blood. After that, I was given a tetanus vaccination at the hospital which I told them I didn’t need; they slid it in there without me knowing, which gave me fever for four days, so I’m absolutely f***king terrible just as I started to feel better.

Fun for some, anyway. Schleck and Contador look as happy to chat and play cat and mouse games as to actually race. When do they get serious? When Menchov gains minutes instead of seconds? What if Menchov blitzes them both in the long TT? Will this gamesmanship be enough to keep me watching? Probably.

Contador: Andy And I Marked Each Other | Cyclingnews.com

“We went head-to-head and didn’t really watch the other riders too closely,” said Contador. “We controlled each other and I think that the fact that we came in together suits me more than him,” he added, alluding to the fact that the Spaniard will be heavily favoured if his deficit on Schleck remains at 31 seconds going into the Pauillac time trial on the penultimate day of the race.

Schleck Plays Mind Games At Ax-3-Domaines | Cyclingnews.com

“To win the Tour, sometimes you have to risk something. I’m well aware that it’s better to have Armstrong ahead these days than Menchov,” said Schleck. “Don’t forget that Menchov is far enough down on us in the general classification. For now, Menchov and Sanchez aren’t a real threat to us. That means there’s a bit of space to [play] poker around,” Schleck said.

Procycling’s Daily Tour De France Dispatch – Stage 14 | Cyclingnews.com

None-too-impressed with Andy Schleck’s descending in the Alps last week, Fignon was dumbfounded today when the current maillot jaune fetched his own food and drinks from the Saxo Bank team car high on the Port de Pailhères.

“I’ve never, ever seen a captain do that when they’ve had a teammate in the group. He’s playing with fire!” the 1983 and 1984 Tour champion gasped.

No such fun for McEwen…
Procycling’s Daily Tour De France Dispatch – Stage 14 | Cyclingnews.com

Robbie McEwen, also a victim of the second stage crash-derby, has been struggling just to hang onto the laughing group. “Being in the gruppetto?” he asked rhetorically. “[On Stage 12 to Mende] I was with one other bloke – that’s not a gruppetto. F***king alone every day, I’ve hardly been in the gruppetto. [Stage 12], it was me and Bert Grabsch for 120k, just two of us.

“I’ve had two bad crashes, lost a lot of blood in the first one because I severed a small artery – the UCI anti-doping people said they could see it in my blood profile that I’d lost a hell of a lot of blood. After that, I was given a tetanus vaccination at the hospital which I told them I didn’t need; they slid it in there without me knowing, which gave me fever for four days, so I’m absolutely f***king terrible just as I started to feel better.

It was a hell of a stage. 2 cat 1 climbs and an HC to boot. And to attempt that ride plus a yellow jersey defence with a fractured elbow takes some doing. But in the end he just couldn’t muster enough pain management to get over that last mountain with the leaders. Cadel‘s GC hopes have effectively ended, although like Lance Armstrong he wants to ride on.

I must admit I wasn’t so surprised to see him crack, but the magnitude was way out of proportion. That blue tape on his left arm was a bit of a clue but otherwise it just looked like he’d absolutely had enough. The fact that Sastre and Wiggins were also in trouble made it more believable, but clearly there was more at play here – like a fractured elbow. Hopefully he can claw back some pride with a stage win from here.

Otherwise a nice show on the road with a great win by Casar. And Vino attacking, clearing the way for Contador; and Voigt doing everything to pace Schleck up to the summit. And Schleck himself doing almost everything possible to drop Alberto, to no avail. But what a chase by Samuel Sanchez. To be so close for so long, but so far…

So now it’s the Schleck and Contador show with perhaps Sami Sanchez, Menchov – maybe even Leipheimer – the most likely intruders into the party. If they can keep up. Falls aside, Contador is looking good for the overall.

Fractured Elbow Shatters Tour Hopes For Evans | Cyclingnews.com

“The team was just fantastic but I’m the one who had the crash two days ago. I’m the one that is wearing the jersey and I’m the one that is vulnerable. I’m not my normal self if I get dropped by a group like that. Normally today was a chance for the stage win and it wouldn’t have an effect on the GC. Now I’m pretty sure it’s all over for this year.”

Evans apologized to his teammates and team owner.

“This year there’s been two health problems: the Giro and now here things aren’t at my normal level. I put in a lot of work and I suffer on my bike everyday and I do it with pleasure. For the guys who have supported me and been so good, the team and Andy Rihs, the owner of the team and everyone who has believed in this project, I’m just so sorry to let them all down.”

Ochowicz explained that the fracture to Evans’ elbow was discovered during the rest day on Monday, but the team did not want to reveal the problem before the stage today.

PezCycling News – What’s Cool In Pro Cycling

Evans was involved in a crash just six kilometers into Stage 8, where he apparently suffered the fracture. He nevertheless managed to stay with the leading group of yellow jersey contenders and moved into the overall lead after Sylvain Chavanel was dropped. According to the team, they kept Evans’ injury a secret during the rest day in order to see how Evans would fare today, and he did pretty well over the first few climbs of Stage 9. But the Madeleine is a brutal mountain and the pace set by Astana and Saxo Bank at the front of the yellow jersey group pushed Evans – and pretty much everyone else – over the limit. It’s a very unfortunate turn of events for Evans, as he appeared to have better overall form this year than he had at the Tour de France last year.

Cadel’s Diary | Cadel Evans 2009-2010 – The Official Site of Cadel Evans – World Champion 2009, Tour de France runner-up in 2007,2008.

A HUGE thank you to all the BMC boys who showed what they’re made of today. The staff here at the Tour, they didn’t know their leader was starting with broken arm – I didn’t want to demoralize them.

Tour De France: Stage 9, Route Maps & Results | Cyclingnews.com

Shortly after the catch of Vinokourov, the inevitable happened and Andy Schleck hit out with about 40km to go, the attack followed only by Contador although soon the two were joined by Samuel Sanchez, who impressively rode past the pair and with a constant grimace continued on in an attempt to put time into the group behind.

But no sooner had Sanchez rode past and BOOM, it was time for Schleck to go again and again in an attempt to break the elastic between himself and his closest rival, who was content to follow the Luxembourger’s wheel as Sanchez was quickly relegated. Ahead of them the leading quartet had opened the gap to 6:20 over the maillot jaune of Evans and 3:37 over the battling duo of Contador and Schleck.

The young pair, which is expected to fill the top places on the general classification, carried on its merry way as those behind, the other overall contenders such as Van Den Broeck, Menchov, Ivan Basso and Leipheimer – assisted ably by Lance Armstrong – maintained a steady rhythm and held the gap between themselves and the Saxo Bank-Astana alliance to 1:30 with about 35km to go.

And Robbie McEwen updates us all on his back injury….
Robbie McEwen (mcewenrobbie) on Twitter

http://twitpic.com/24zpg3 Btw, this is how my lower back is looking thanks to the tool at finish a few days ago. Hip & leg look similar

It was a hell of a stage. 2 cat 1 climbs and an HC to boot. And to attempt that ride plus a yellow jersey defence with a fractured elbow takes some doing. But in the end he just couldn’t muster enough pain management to get over that last mountain with the leaders. Cadel‘s GC hopes have effectively ended, although like Lance Armstrong he wants to ride on.

I must admit I wasn’t so surprised to see him crack, but the magnitude was way out of proportion. That blue tape on his left arm was a bit of a clue but otherwise it just looked like he’d absolutely had enough. The fact that Sastre and Wiggins were also in trouble made it more believable, but clearly there was more at play here – like a fractured elbow. Hopefully he can claw back some pride with a stage win from here.

Otherwise a nice show on the road with a great win by Casar. And Vino attacking, clearing the way for Contador; and Voigt doing everything to pace Schleck up to the summit. And Schleck himself doing almost everything possible to drop Alberto, to no avail. But what a chase by Samuel Sanchez. To be so close for so long, but so far…

So now it’s the Schleck and Contador show with perhaps Sami Sanchez, Menchov – maybe even Leipheimer – the most likely intruders into the party. If they can keep up. Falls aside, Contador is looking good for the overall.

Fractured Elbow Shatters Tour Hopes For Evans | Cyclingnews.com

“The team was just fantastic but I’m the one who had the crash two days ago. I’m the one that is wearing the jersey and I’m the one that is vulnerable. I’m not my normal self if I get dropped by a group like that. Normally today was a chance for the stage win and it wouldn’t have an effect on the GC. Now I’m pretty sure it’s all over for this year.”

Evans apologized to his teammates and team owner.

“This year there’s been two health problems: the Giro and now here things aren’t at my normal level. I put in a lot of work and I suffer on my bike everyday and I do it with pleasure. For the guys who have supported me and been so good, the team and Andy Rihs, the owner of the team and everyone who has believed in this project, I’m just so sorry to let them all down.”

Ochowicz explained that the fracture to Evans’ elbow was discovered during the rest day on Monday, but the team did not want to reveal the problem before the stage today.

PezCycling News – What’s Cool In Pro Cycling

Evans was involved in a crash just six kilometers into Stage 8, where he apparently suffered the fracture. He nevertheless managed to stay with the leading group of yellow jersey contenders and moved into the overall lead after Sylvain Chavanel was dropped. According to the team, they kept Evans’ injury a secret during the rest day in order to see how Evans would fare today, and he did pretty well over the first few climbs of Stage 9. But the Madeleine is a brutal mountain and the pace set by Astana and Saxo Bank at the front of the yellow jersey group pushed Evans – and pretty much everyone else – over the limit. It’s a very unfortunate turn of events for Evans, as he appeared to have better overall form this year than he had at the Tour de France last year.

Cadel’s Diary | Cadel Evans 2009-2010 – The Official Site of Cadel Evans – World Champion 2009, Tour de France runner-up in 2007,2008.

A HUGE thank you to all the BMC boys who showed what they’re made of today. The staff here at the Tour, they didn’t know their leader was starting with broken arm – I didn’t want to demoralize them.

Tour De France: Stage 9, Route Maps & Results | Cyclingnews.com

Shortly after the catch of Vinokourov, the inevitable happened and Andy Schleck hit out with about 40km to go, the attack followed only by Contador although soon the two were joined by Samuel Sanchez, who impressively rode past the pair and with a constant grimace continued on in an attempt to put time into the group behind.

But no sooner had Sanchez rode past and BOOM, it was time for Schleck to go again and again in an attempt to break the elastic between himself and his closest rival, who was content to follow the Luxembourger’s wheel as Sanchez was quickly relegated. Ahead of them the leading quartet had opened the gap to 6:20 over the maillot jaune of Evans and 3:37 over the battling duo of Contador and Schleck.

The young pair, which is expected to fill the top places on the general classification, carried on its merry way as those behind, the other overall contenders such as Van Den Broeck, Menchov, Ivan Basso and Leipheimer – assisted ably by Lance Armstrong – maintained a steady rhythm and held the gap between themselves and the Saxo Bank-Astana alliance to 1:30 with about 35km to go.

And Robbie McEwen updates us all on his back injury….
Robbie McEwen (mcewenrobbie) on Twitter

http://twitpic.com/24zpg3 Btw, this is how my lower back is looking thanks to the tool at finish a few days ago. Hip & leg look similar