Contador acquitted

[python]

Is there anything out there about how they've been able to exclude blood doping? It may have passed me right by, but as I remember some other statements the other day said the same thing about other theories not being possible...

the as.com article i quoted does have not anything about your question.

but yesterday (and previously in the preliminary rfec document) it was attributed to his blood passport not showing anything based on several expert opinions.

 

[sniper]

Bert's history of negative CB tests might count for something, but I think not very much. It can always be argued that most (if not all?) of those tests did not make use of the latest technology allowing for lower detection limits. Not to mention that even if Bert had been using CB periodically throughout his career, he might very well have dodged positives just by being careful. This one time, as often happens eventually, he got careless. Surely, we in the clinic have long mocked the "I never tested positive" defense in other cases, why would it count for very much here?

All of us here who have examined the situation have come to the agreement that the only two possibilities are contaminated meat and transfusion. Given that he can't produce this contaminated meat, anything Bert can do to cast doubt on the transfusion scenario is a big plus.

Here is what I would have advised him. Make some rough calculations. Assume he did transfuse in June, and at the time he was taking the minimum dose of CB that could possibly be performance enhancing in some manner, including weight loss. Calculate the amount that could have gotten into his hair follicles, and from there the amount that could be in his hair at specific times later.

Of course these are very rough calculations, but they are better than nothing. If they show that there wouldn't be enough to detect, change the starting assumptions. Assume he was taking a larger dose of CB in June. Maybe that still indicates that his hair sample would be negative. But if the calculations suggest an ambiguous conclusion, go with it. You can then say, if I had been transfusing while I was taking CB--THE ONLY ALTERNATIVE TO MEAT CONTAMINATION--then I likely would have tested detectably in the hair test. That's why you have expensive lawyers. To juggle the figures and suggest the possibility.

And don't forget hair that isn't cut, like pubic hair. That could be tested even now. Make the case. If he really is innocent, what in the world is there to lose? The worst case outcome is that everyone will look at the figures and say, nah, a negative hair test means nothing. But the upside is possibly throwing significant scientific evidence against the possibility of a transfusion.

what a big fat +1 that is.

 

[python]

what a big fat +1 that is.

you need to go back to the appropriate threads and see that merckx index was arguing exactly the opposite
when i was pointing to the hair test of ovcharov as possibly applicable to contador's defence - he was insisting the hair test is useless. so, perhaps when he returns here, he can explain why the drastic reversal ? because the media is all over this ?

 

[sniper]

http://www.as.com/ciclismo/articulo/defensa-incidio-alegacion-ausencia-culpa/20110215dasdaicic_2/Tes
Indeed, the article in the AS.com python refers to says the UCI support the food contamination hypothesis.

if correct, it 'll come down to the WADA.
but this tiny bit in me suspects that the AS article is off, and that Pat might not be agreeing with the acquittal.

 

[webvan]

Impressive work by his lawyers, considering they haven't proven that contamination was even possible from meat bought in Spain...

It's a bit like being let off after being caught speeding by a cop with a laser gun and because there is a chance in a million that it malfunctioned...when was the last time that happened?

I guess it helped that the Spaniards (RFEC, Sports Minister, Prime Minister, etc...) would have been happy with any half *ss excuse to let him walk.

 

[movingtarget]

No real surprise. A national body ruling on one of it's own riders. Hardly neutral ground. UCI will appeal, surely if the unofficial news is true. Spanish cycling trying to save face. They did not need another doping scandal. If there was no evidence that the meat was tainted I wonder what the grounds for upholding the appeal are ? If a banned substance cannot be explained away scientifically how is this result possible ? Politics and nothing but. Another step backwards for pro cycling.

 

[hubbard]

teflon bertie

 

[step23]

AC acquitted -> new LA is born. Show must go on.

 

[uspostal]

This looks as tho a counrty helping its own in what is now concidered the muddy waters of cyclings govering/ judical system. They are saving face and passing the buck on too someone else, this has to be good for the confidence us fans have for cycling now. Even a 0 tolerance policy can be overcome with the help of a not-so- honest govering body. Congrats Spain you have moved into 2nd place behind China as a look the other country.

 

[Parrulo]

This looks as tho a counrty helping its own in what is now concidered the muddy waters of cyclings govering/ judical system. They are saving face and passing the buck on too someone else, this has to be good for the confidence us fans have for cycling now. Even a 0 tolerance policy can be overcome with the help of a not-so- honest govering body. Congrats Spain you have moved into 2nd place behind China as a look the other country.

your post is hilarious taking into account your user name

 

[uspostal]

your post is hilarious taking into account your user name

I hoped most people would feel that way !!!! At least LA was a good cheat. He never went to the I ate bad meat !!! AC should have said he had hotdogs that day, I could believe a tainted hotdog. They put all kinds of crap in those things, but steak maybe he had tube steak AKA hotdogs.

 

[frenchfry]

A report on the l'Equipe site says that one of the main reasons for the decision was a procedural error, apparently Contador was not copied on a letter the UCI sent to the Spanish federation.

http://www.lequipe.fr/Cyclisme/breves2011/20110215_092653_vice-au-benefice-de-contador.html

 

[frenchfry]

This looks as tho a counrty helping its own in what is now concidered the muddy waters of cyclings govering/ judical system. They are saving face and passing the buck on too someone else, this has to be good for the confidence us fans have for cycling now. Even a 0 tolerance policy can be overcome with the help of a not-so- honest govering body. Congrats Spain you have moved into 2nd place behind China as a look the other country.

I guess you have never heard of Wade Exum.

check out #3 doping scandal of all time:

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/indepth/drugs/stories/top10.html

 

[DAOTEC]

python, Barrus > this is just the beginning

The French newspaper states that a letter sent by the UCI to the RFEC last November 8th was not sent to the rider or his legal team. L’Equipe said that Contador’s representatives complained that this was not fair, and that it violated a section of the Spanish Constitution regarding the ‘rights of the accused to be informed.’

However according to the New York Times, Carpani said that if the rider was indeed given the green light by the Spanish federation to return to competition, that there was a strong chance that he would ride the 2011 Tour de France.

Even if the UCI and WADA appeal to the "?Court!" of A ... means that it would not be concluded by the start of the Tour. Much would depend on how quickly an appeal is lodged, if one is indeed to be made !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's is what we call illégal, crimìnal, lawless infidels on the run. (http://velonation.com/Did-UCI-action-inadvertently-contribute-to-Contadors-clearing-of-charges.aspx)

 

[hrotha]

Has the UCI just found a way to invalidate any process they'd rather make go away?

 

[GJB123]

Perhaps, but just perhaps it could also explain what caused the 10 day about face the RFEC made. We do not know what was in the November 8-letter, and what AC's lawyers could bring against that.

Regards
GJ

 

[Publicus]

Has the UCI just found a way to invalidate any process they'd rather make go away?

This underscores why these doping matters should be handled by an independent body. These types of procedural errors, if true, should not occur.

 

[RGScales]

this is true, it does seem however that since the puerto days ASO has become a lot more selective in who they allow to ride in their events as it pertains to doping investigations. I think that if the investigation that your referring to was happening now (actually, it kind of is isn't it) Lance wouldn't be allowed to race.
Then again, it is Lance and it certainly does seem that there is a separate rule book that he is governed by.
You do make a good point though. I may have spoken too soon, I was drawing comparisons to Valverde, Vino, and a few others.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

Has the UCI just found a way to invalidate any process they'd rather make go away?

That's a great question. Maybe Spain is hoping the UCI goes along with them if RFEC decides to reverse the AC ban.

My understanding tho is it's the riders responsibility for anything found in their body. But if there is an external source, like tainted meat, then it would be the riders burden to prove that to be so, no?

 

[luckyboy]

Christ, these were the actual words out of Tom 'not accountable for the three different occasions cocaine has been found in my body' Boonen's mouth? This must surely be tongue-in-cheek.

“They may have to change the whole system and accept that an athlete can have a certain product in his body without him being held accountable for it."

I know cocaine's not a PED, but still.

 

[Beech Mtn]

Impressive work by his lawyers, considering they haven't proven that contamination was even possible from meat bought in Spain...

<snipped>

Yes, it has been proven possible to get contaminated meat in Spain. Just recently, in fact.

 

[happychappy]

And don't forget hair that isn't cut, like pubic hair.

Speak for yourself, Bushy Mcbush. I bet it's like the freakin' Amazon down there eh?!

 

[python]

can any of you legal fellows chip in ? publicus, barrus... ?

i'm struggling with the logic of the procedural slip..

just to remind, 8 november was the date when the uci officially passed the case to rfec. the package included 600+ pages including the wada letter with many attachments.

how does not informing contador's team on time affect the factual and evidential aspects of the anti-doping rule violation ?

violation of rights i understand and dont like but how it prevented contador from showing he did not dope ? OK if they learned about it a month later i can see it but a day or two seem totally inconsequential...

 

[mwbyrd]

Christ, these were the actual words out of Tom 'not accountable for the three different occasions cocaine has been found in my body' Boonen's mouth? This must surely be tongue-in-cheek.

“They may have to change the whole system and accept that an athlete can have a certain product in his body without him being held accountable for it."

I know cocaine's not a PED, but still.

You're reading way too much in to what Boonen is saying.

 

[thehog]

It's official! Yay!!!