2011 Giro

[Chuck]

I'm a Liquigas fan[well Basso] wear the kit

Looks like we've finally found something we agree on Baldy

Re Nibali I think he knows that following an AC attack will just end with him blowing up (look at what has happened to Scarponi, kudos to him for having a crack though ) Nibali climbs at his own pace. I thought it was pretty impressive the way he climbed back to Contador the other day after initially being dropped. The bitching afterwards was a bit off, but I don't mind him.

I think the result at last years Giro brought unrealistic expectations onto Richie. Don't forget it's only his second year as a pro and he's riding exclusively for Contador this time. He'll be alright.

[Chuck]

Never thought it would happen but I think I might be a born again Bertie fan

You are dead to me now!

[jules21]

I thought it was pretty impressive the way he climbed back to Contador the other day after initially being dropped. The bitching afterwards was a bit off, but I don't mind him.

on top of the zoncolan? i enjoyed that as well, but it seemed as though Contador slowed to allow Nibali to get back in touch, before dropping him again. it may have been a response to Nibali's 'encouragement' for Contador to share the workload lower down the slopes. without knowing the full details it's hard to say, but i suspect nibali was justified in feeling slighted.

[Aushiker]

Hi

Contador is using Apex in the mountains it seems.



Andrew

[Baldy]

Shock horror ay Chuck!!

Before I get disowned from the 6k'ers I should clarify what I mean by fan of the bertmiester....

I am a fan of watching him ride a bike uphill. Thats about the extent of it, I can turn a blind eye to the rest. Compare that to guys like Bobridge, Myer, Lancaster, Haussler , Jens, Hendo. All blokes I love watching race and would also be happy to have a beer with.

My position on Porte has nothing to do with his racing. It is more his want to be the aussie chavendouche, with his foul mouthed tough guy carry on Im not exactly refined myself but jeez, there is a time and place.

[jules21]

Contador is using Apex in the mountains it seems.

lol. apparently Geox are running Shimano Sora

[brentono]

Contador is using Apex in the mountains it seems.

lol. apparently Geox are running Shimano Sora

The other members of Saxo-Bank Sungard, Astana and Garmin-Cervélo did the same

"Patron" in control.
Business as usual.

[hosko]

I just read on CyclingNews that the Court of Arbitration for sports may push the Contador ruling past this years TdF.

That means the TdF may be run without a clear winner from the previous year?

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/prudhomme-surprised-by-delay-in-contador-hearing

Honestly, it's been almost a year now. Contador shouldn't in my opinion be even riding in this Giro let alone another TdF

While he seems to be an incredible cyclist, he did get caught with a reading of banned substances. To me, you get caught, go away for minimum of 2 years.

If they UCI can play such hardball with things like clothing and shoes, why can't they be that way for drugged riders as well. TdF "Winner" or not, he still had an A and a B test positive.

Abosolute F________ Bull________

[Chuck]

My position on Porte has nothing to do with his racing. It is more his want to be the aussie chavendouche, with his foul mouthed tough guy carry on Im not exactly refined myself but jeez, there is a time and place.

Fair enough I must have missed something.

[drubie]

While he seems to be an incredible cyclist, he did get caught with a reading of banned substances. To me, you get caught, go away for minimum of 2 years.

If they UCI can play such hardball with things like clothing and shoes, why can't they be that way for drugged riders as well. TdF "Winner" or not, he still had an A and a B test positive.

My sentiments exactly. Although Wouter Weylandt probably put the nail in the coffin of my interest in the Giro this year (too soon?)

[The Womble]

AC is almost as much of a pig as the UCI themselves. TWO positive samples. Theres your verdict! You don't get let off a murder charge because the person you shot would have survived their wounds if they hadn't stumbled back over the 12 story balcony railing from the impact of the bullet.
It's time the UCI faded into oblivion. They ban a shoe without even bothering to test it, but test and find out a GT winner who blatantly cheated his way into the record books and expect we'll deal with it and simply move on? The UCI absolutely disgusts me at the very best of times.

[brentono]

Hater's: Don't Hate the Player, Hate the Game

Two words, DUE PROCESS... you ought to blame the UCI and WADA
for their mis-handling/dragging out, of the whole situation (sad for Contador, really)

Back on topic.

Alberto Contador showed in stage 19 of the Giro d'Italia that he is not only the race's dominator,
but that he is also looking out for his friends in the peloton.
Contador stormed away from his overall rivals in the final kilometers,
then joined lone breakaway rider Paolo Tiralongo.
Contador pulled for Tiralongo but let the Italian pass first over the finish line in Macugnaga.

The Spaniard explained why he didn't do a Merckx-like maneuver, where he would take the win.
"The friendship with Tiralongo is incredible. Last year he was working for me all year long.
In the Tour de France he did an incredible job to help me win."
Contador was happy to give something back.
"The feeling I had in my heart and in my body were very strong.
I am very content with his victory."

http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/8574/Giro-dItalia-Dominating-Contador-can-afford-to-hand-out-presents.aspx
Great job.

[Chuck]

Good story, you've got to feel happy for the guy....

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/tiralon ... domestique

[sogood]

Two words, DUE PROCESS... you ought to blame the UCI and WADA
for their mis-handling/dragging out, of the whole situation (sad for Contador, really)

Not really. It could well be the defendant's strategy to drag it out, by not offering up dates for deposition amongst other activities. Fact is, we don't know who caused the delay and it's premature to blame UCI and WADA.

[toolonglegs]

Ok I must admit I am tempted...stage finishing 200km from home today.

[brentono]

Fact is, we don't know who caused the delay.

Lausanne, 26 May 2011 - Following the agreement between the Appellants and the Respondents,
the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has accepted to postpone the hearing in this matter
in order to give to all parties concerned reasonable time to prepare for such hearing
and to guarantee the participation in person of witnesses and experts.
Accordingly, the CAS Panel has decided to cancel the hearing
initially scheduled for 6-7-8 June 2011.

As pointed out before...

Still have difficulty seeing either WADA or UCI (severely or jointly)
coming up with anything new to sway the CAS,
to convince the CAS to uphold their appeal.

... and I think the reality (of success) of the appeal, is coming to light.

[Aushiker]

Hi

CAS has postponed the June 6 - 8, 2011 hearing; it is not "cancelled" as been implied. (Source: http://www.tas-cas.org/news ). CAS has also stated that a "new hearing dates will be fixed as soon as possible."

Road.cc is reporting that the postponement is at the request of the Contador camp.

According to the Spanish sports daily AS, the CAS hearing, fixed for 6-8 June, has now been postponed until July or even September following a request by Contador and his lawyers, citing Luis Sanz, the RFEC’s legal advisor.

Andrew

[wombatK]

Honestly, it's been almost a year now. Contador shouldn't in my opinion be even riding in this Giro let alone another TdF

Denial is a really large province in Spain. But really I believe in Karma. Just hope his love of spanish food includes - cucumbers.

Cheers

[sogood]

Lausanne, 26 May 2011 - Following the agreement between the Appellants and the Respondents,
the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has accepted to postpone the hearing...

CAS is not the root cause. The root cause lies with the Appellants (UCI) and Respondents (Contador), and we don't know who's action that lead to this need for an agreement. CAS is but managing the parties involved.

So again, it's just plain wrong to blame the "court" ie. CAS over this. I wouldn't be surprised if Contador's side was the root cause though, but we just don't know.

[brentono]

Hi

CAS has postponed the June 6 - 8, 2011 hearing; it is not "cancelled" as been implied. (Source: http://www.tas-cas.org/news ). CAS has also stated that a "new hearing dates will be fixed as soon as possible."

Andrew

Thanks Andrew, on that point.
Yes. Exactly as I quoted off the CAS site.

New hearing dates will be fixed as soon as possible

True.
And now looks like the end of Summer, allow further preparation and to help guarantee
the participation in person of witnesses and experts.

Seems to be the dominant debate of "mainstream media" that report the Giro 2011.

Doesn't take away from the fact that the best rider, at the moment, won, comfortably.
Next, The Tour De France.

[brentono]

So again, it's just plain wrong to blame the "court" ie. CAS over this.

Didn't "blame" CAS

And for those who are so worried about it (the timing of the appeal) I stated-

... you ought to blame the UCI and WADA

Chill.

[jules21]

Doesn't take away from the fact that the best rider, at the moment, won, comfortably.
Next, The Tour De France.

i'm not sure scarponi is riding the Tour, but it will be interesting anyway

[brentono]

Doesn't take away from the fact that the best rider, at the moment, won, comfortably.
Next, The Tour De France.

i'm not sure scarponi is riding the Tour, but it will be interesting anyway

"it's just a pity i can't ask you to actually put your money on the table.
something tells me you would be more reluctant to do so,
than you are to fire from the hip on here"

[herzog]

Doesn't take away from the fact that the best pharmacist, at the moment, won, comfortably.

Fixed that for you.

[brentono]

Doesn't take away from the fact that the best pharmacist, at the moment, won, comfortably.

Fixed that for you.

NFI.