Contador and this years TdF.

[zephy]

not a fan, but hats off for last night.... the bloke has ticker....

[sogood]

Fantastic!

But that's unnecessary energy expenditure.

[ni78ck]

made for great viewing though not that it wasnt a great stage already

[DavidS]

They really need to control the crowds better. I hope the guy in the surgery gown was arrested and locked up.

DS

[sogood]

They really need to control the crowds better. I hope the guy in the surgery gown was arrested and locked up.

+1. There were many other idiots and one of the well behaved spectator shoved one of the hooligans to the side of the road. That was good to see.

@mcewenrobbie tweeted that there should be electrified motorbikes for crowd control, jabbing hooligans along the course.

[Chuck]

@mcewenrobbie tweeted that there should be electrified motorbikes for crowd control, jabbing hooligans along the course.

Some of the guys I was watching it with were saying the same thing. There were suggestions they cattle prods or tazers

[number21]

not a fan, but hats off for last night.... the bloke has ticker....

I agree. Would've been easy for him to throw it in, as I think its likely he'll get a 12month suspension at least but he kept fighting to the last minute. I think my main reasons for disliking him is 1/ because of how easy he makes it look to sprint up a mountain and 2/ that stupid victory salute.

At least hes not as arrogant as some other riders particularly AS and FS.

[DavidS]

not a fan, but hats off for last night.... the bloke has ticker....

I agree. Would've been easy for him to throw it in, as I think its likely he'll get a 12month suspension at least but he kept fighting to the last minute. I think my main reasons for disliking him is 1/ because of how easy he makes it look to sprint up a mountain and 2/ that stupid victory salute.

At least hes not as arrogant as some other riders particularly AS and FS.

Well I hope that whatever the result of his drugs case is, it reflects the reality. I have always found Contador more likable than the Schlecks. He certainly has a go and the fact he went for it in the time trial with nothing to win was great.

DS

[fats]

How much pent up anger would have been in that punch after 3 weeks of booing! I bet he felt alot better for it.

[sogood]

I think my main reasons for disliking him is 1/ because of how easy he makes it look to sprint up a mountain and 2/ that stupid victory salute.

At least hes not as arrogant as some other riders particularly AS and FS.

That's very odd. I don't sense arrogance our of AS nor FS.

As for disliking Contador for being a brilliant climber and a unique style at the salute, that's even odder unless one enjoys cutting tall grass.

[number21]

I think my main reasons for disliking him is 1/ because of how easy he makes it look to sprint up a mountain and 2/ that stupid victory salute.

At least hes not as arrogant as some other riders particularly AS and FS.

That's very odd. I don't sense arrogance our of AS nor FS.

As for disliking Contador for being a brilliant climber and a unique style at the salute, that's even odder unless one enjoys cutting tall grass.

To be honest I don't know the Schlecks very well, but they do make bold predictions about themselves and they have a tendency to say one thing to one journalist and another to someone else. I'm pretty sure they're quoted as saying they won the Tour for Sastre in 2008. They did seem gracious in defeat last night though.

As for Contador, it was tongue in cheek, I'm just jealous really.

[nappyknicks]

So do the riders get reprimanded for 'hurting' the spectators?

[sogood]

So do the riders get reprimanded for 'hurting' the spectators?

NO.

Spectators who put themselves in harm's way deserve to get hurt. Hopefully without hurting any of the riders in the process.

[Christine Tham]

Now that the tour is over, I can't help feeling sorry for Contador (and no, I am not admitting I know him, as far as I know he is still a Spanish chef ... )

First, the boos at the launch.

Then, a higher than normal series of accidents. Perhaps he was pushed on some of them??? If he was, he has done very well not whinging about them (would have been hard to prove anyway).

In any case, his self confidence during the tour noticeably dropped. I wonder if the attitudes of spectators (and perhaps fellow riders as well) got to him.

[toolonglegs]

looks like he packs a good punch for a wippet .
I think he had a great non super human tour...apart from that I suppose we wait for august...he certainly didn't deserve the mony balony that happened though.

[nappyknicks]

So do the riders get reprimanded for 'hurting' the spectators?

NO.

Spectators who put themselves in harm's way deserve to get hurt. Hopefully without hurting any of the riders in the process.

It may apply differently, but I vaguely recall an instance when Merv Highes either spat at a spectator or hit them with a bat or something when they taunted him and he got fined? I might be wrong with the details....

Now that the tour is over, I can't help feeling sorry for Contador (and no, I am not admitting I know him, as far as I know he is still a Spanish chef ... )

First, the boos at the launch.

Then, a higher than normal series of accidents. Perhaps he was pushed on some of them??? If he was, he has done very well not whinging about them (would have been hard to prove anyway).

In any case, his self confidence during the tour noticeably dropped. I wonder if the attitudes of spectators (and perhaps fellow riders as well) got to him.

Whether or not u think the recent scandals are justified, are a fan of the fingerbang, liked the way he won the 2010 TDF or his 'attitude' in general, the 'booing' is uncalled for.

I too felt a little bad for him, but thought he handles the press well after his chances were clearly gone. Despite fading away out of contention when the big attacks came, he still pulled out a brilliant third in the TT. I hope his drop in form was due to the Giro or injuries, as I'd love to see the rivalry continue with the Schlecks and Cadel.

[DaveOZ]

I honestly believe Alberto is clean and I think his treatment is grossly unfair. The levels of the drugs found were so small that they would be undetectable to most labs.

The steak story is, I guess, the only explanation he could come up with and I believe it. Apparently it is possible for this to happen.

Can you imagine how he must feel?

I say the man is a great cyclist and should be treated as such.

Just my opinion.

[toolonglegs]

looks like he packs a good punch for a wippet .
I think he had a great non super human tour...apart from that I suppose we wait for august...he certainly didn't deserve the mony balony that happened though.

What the hell is "mony balony" ?...

[sogood]

Problem is, there's always gullible people out there who'll believe anything. So the issue here isn't about whether one believes, but adhering to the rules, whatever that may be.

[roller]

Contador case postponed til november

if this keeps on going then we'll still be posting in this thread next year, i think it's time to call in these guys to test the steak claim:

[sogood]

Contador case postponed til november

This is getting ridiculous!

[CommuRider]

Contador case postponed til november

WT is taking it so long? C'mon it's a pretty straightforward assessment. I feel for Andy Schleck.

[jasimon]

The levels of the drugs found were so small that they would be undetectable to most labs.

Of itself I don't see that this says anything. It seems consistent with either: the initial quantity was small and the test was conducted immediately after ingestion; or that the initial quantity was large but the test was conducted after most of it had passed through his system and only a little was left. The small quantity is not of itself a get out of jail free card.

[number21]

I don't know the ins and the outs of it but Phil n Paul were saying that Rui Costa was suspended for 12 months after ingesting a banned substance. He proved it was unintention and was given a lenient suspension. Can only assume Albertos case would be similiar if proved unintention also.

But postponing it till November isn't fair for anyone.

[BarryTas]

so.............

shouldn't some one be off to court soon? what is happening re the doping?