2012 Vuelta. The Return of the King.

[DenisMenchov]

Why does that sound so familiar?

To be honest, I don't think Contador is THAT stupid.

I don't think Contador is THAT rich. With the 2.4mil fine, he can hardly break the contract, not to mention that he is the one responsible for taking most of the Saxo points.

 

[El Pistolero]

I don't think Contador is THAT rich. With the 2.4mil fine, he can hardly break the contract, not to mention that he is the one responsible for taking most of the Saxo points.

His contract is annulled now that he's banned. He's free to resign for whomever he wants.

Ps: these fines can be disputed. Vino didn't pay his fine for example.

 

[Fetisoff]

/grabbing a second bag of popcorn/

This might turn out better than a real Pope/Contador showdown

 

[craig1985]

His contract is annulled now that he's banned. He's free to resign for whomever he wants.

Ps: these fines can be disputed. Vino didn't pay his fine for example.

True, I think Cristian Moreni was the only one who did in the forlorn hope of getting a pro contract again.

 

[DenisMenchov]

His contract is annulled now that he's banned. He's free to resign for whomever he wants.

Ps: these fines can be disputed. Vino didn't pay his fine for example.

Can you show me that rule. Does that means he also returns his money?

 

[AussieGoddess]

Not only is this a statement without foundation, but it doesn't belong here. Take it to the clinic and I will explain why today's ruling makes you out to be a liar at best and a libeler at worst.

can we get over the personal insults?

I like Contador and I wish he was still racing .... but that doesnt make someone who disagrees with me a liar or a slanderer.

Between this and Op Puerto, the balance of probabilities say some pretty sad things about our sport. AC is just the unlucky one to get caught.

As to the topic, I think he will smash the Vuelta. win by 10 mins + .... and the Worlds as well, if only to p*** off the UCI

 

[The Hitch]

Unfortunately Im not sure if Contador will go for the Worlds. Hes been a real **** when it comes to one day races.

 

[hughmoore]

can we get over the personal insults?

I like Contador and I wish he was still racing .... but that doesnt make someone who disagrees with me a liar or a slanderer.

Between this and Op Puerto, the balance of probabilities say some pretty sad things about our sport. AC is just the unlucky one to get caught.

As to the topic, I think he will smash the Vuelta. win by 10 mins + .... and the Worlds as well, if only to p*** off the UCI

+1, I agree, I enjoy watching Contador ride and will probably follow the Vuelta with more interest this year, hopefully the picture quality might be better, HD would be nice.

Hitch, I think you should do a preview thread on the Worlds, is there much info on the course?


Hugh

 

[The Hitch]

+1, I agree, I enjoy watching Contador ride and will probably follow the Vuelta with more interest this year, hopefully the picture quality might be better, HD would be nice.

Hitch, I think you should do a preview thread on the Worlds, is there much info on the course?


Hugh

Ill have to leave expertise on the Worlds course to our Dutch friends, namely Ruben who knows the area very well.

Which reminds me, Havetts, we should do a meet-up for the worlds so that I can see your face when Contador flies past into the stripes

 

[42x16ss]

can we get over the personal insults?

I like Contador and I wish he was still racing .... but that doesnt make someone who disagrees with me a liar or a slanderer.

Between this and Op Puerto, the balance of probabilities say some pretty sad things about our sport. AC is just the unlucky one to get caught.

As to the topic, I think he will smash the Vuelta. win by 10 mins + .... and the Worlds as well, if only to p*** off the UCI

I hope this ban transforms Contador from the mild mannered style of Indurain to the all consuming, cannibalistic style of Merckx.

I'm tipping Contador to take a leaf out of LA's book and go all "no gifts" on everyone at the Vuelta and again in 2013 at the Tour, followed by a swift kick to Pat McQuack's groin

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

You haven't paid much attention to cycling if you think 0,000000000000050g of clenbuterol corresponds to the biggest doper in cycling. In fact, I'm pretty sure he's the smallest doper ever in the history of sports to be punished

Obviously if there were actual proof I wouldn't be supporting him.

well i think we all know better then this. The contaminated b/t is not unreasonable.

anyway, regardless I still like AC. go berto.

Froome is totally focusing on tour and so is not guaranteed for vuelta
Anyway if he can show anything like his vuelta TT and manage to become team leader then tour is probably best option

not a froome thread btw.

Awww, did poor Pistolet get upset at people talking about something other than Philippe Gilbert?

hmm getting libertine to insult in this fashion. El pickle must be annoying you

 

[c&cfan]

I don't think Contador is THAT rich. With the 2.4mil fine, he can hardly break the contract, not to mention that he is the one responsible for taking most of the Saxo points.

if i was denis menchov and read your posts, i would be so ashamed..

you are so pathetic..

 

[Afrank]

Alberto Contador at the press conference
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1ypn0y32Ac

Alberto Contador at the 2012 Vuelta
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8bIEk58LzI

 

[greenedge]

I will say 4-5 stage wins and an overall vicory margin of 7-9 minutes. Then he will be ready for the WC and challenge FTW.

Froome, Anton, Cobo, JROD and hopefully Gesink to challenge for the podium.

 

[LaFlorecita]

I am sorry for you that the decision didn't go the way you hoped and that you will enjoy cycling less for the next 6 months.

But the ban isn't unfair... he cheated, got caught, and now he is paying the price. It is official now.

ARGH!

I feel like banging my head against the wall. Some people are so ignorant.

 

[Walkman]

ARGH!

I feel like banging my head against the wall. Some people are so ignorant.

It's a matter of perception LaFlorecita. Some feels that having a banned substance in you body during a race, and without being able to prove how it got into your system is doping and cheating. I know what the verdict say but it's not like there aren't other possible scenarios than the food supplement theory. Even if the chance of those scenarois are a million to one, there is still a chance. So relax, we can't all agree in these matters.

 

[LaFlorecita]

It's a matter of perception LaFlorecita. Some feels that having a banned substance in you body during a race, and without being able to prove how it got into your system is doping and cheating. I know what the verdict say but it's not like there aren't other possible scenarios than the food supplement theory. Even if the chance of those scenarois are a million to one, there is still a chance. So relax, we can't all agree in these matters.

The thing is, those people know what they mean by calling this cheating. They mean that he got clenbuterol in his system intentionally. I think it's BS to say something like that. If CAS says it's highly unlikely he doped, I think people should give it a rest and get over it.

 

[airstream]

Respect, Havetts. There is one man at least, who had no fear to say what he really thinks without covering by the slogans "tragedy of cycling", "cycling buried itself", "how to live without him??!" etc.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Respect, Havetts. There is one man at least, who had no fear to say what he really thinks without covering by the slogans "tragedy of cycling", "cycling buried itself", "how to live without him??!" etc.

What the fvck? I thought you loved the sport, not the riders?

(Not that it made sense anyway)

 

[airstream]

What the fvck? I thought you loved the sport, not the riders?

(Not that it made sense anyway)

I wouldn't protect any rider, if someone were caught, no matter how many victories he has. "He is a cycling" is nonsense, as there are no riders that can be more important than sport itself and even equal to it. Riders come and go, sport is eternal.

 

[LaFlorecita]

I wouldn't protect any rider, if someone were caught, no matter how many victories he has. "He is a cycling" is nonsense, as there are no riders that can be more important than sport itself and even equal to it. Riders come and go, sport is eternal.

I'm sorry, but this really makes me laugh.

 

[vcampbell]

Respect, Havetts. There is one man at least, who had no fear to say what he really thinks without covering by the slogans "tragedy of cycling", "cycling buried itself", "how to live without him??!" etc.

One of the funniest comment in 2012.

 

[vcampbell]

I wouldn't protect any rider, if someone were caught, no matter how many victories he has. "He is a cycling" is nonsense, as there are no riders that can be more important than sport itself and even equal to it. Riders come and go, sport is eternal.

Says someone who has got an Andy avatar. Totally makes sense.

 

[King Of The Wolds]

His contract is annulled now that he's banned. He's free to resign for whomever he wants.

You state that as if it's fact. Saxobank have a contract with him. They can choose to annul it (assuming it has a release clause for doping offences) or they can choose to honour the contract, with an eye on him competing for them at La Vuelta (which they'd probably choose to do, given the rest of their roster and lack of other quality riders without a contract).

Or are you implying that there are some rules which mean that Saxo and Contador are forced to annul their contract?

 

[Mellow Velo]

Assuming he remains with Saxo, or even goes to another team, I'm interested what his race programme could be, between the 6th-18th of August and the start of La Vuelta.
He ain't exactly spoiled for choice.