Contador and Spanish cycling

[Moose McKnuckles]

What is he supposed to do, attack someone for doing exactly the same as him? That is left for other cultures who deal with their own cheating in a different manner, being the biggest hypocrites of all and condemning something that they also did or are doing themselves.
I have a big F U to all those.

I think if you've acknowledged that Contador is a doping cheat and part of the problem with cycling today, we are in agreement.

As far as "other cultures", USADA has provided an example of how to deal with doping cheats. It would be nice if the Spanish Federation followed suit.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Lemond did dope. It is too big of an anomaly that only one Tour de France winner was not on the dope in spite of him being American.

This is the kind of nonsense peddled by the Armstrong fanboys. Idiots like Lance didn't even realize that EPO wasn't even in the peloton until 1991 and was actually one of the things that forced Lemond out of the sport.

Was doping widespread in cycling before 1990? Sure. But to say that it was at the same level as during the current EPO era is just a blantant falsehood.

 

[silverrocket]

I disagree with most of you, I'm afraid. I read AC comments as being mostly about being tactful and neutral, and not throwing Armstrong under the bus. This is NOT the same as supporting what LA did, an expression of Omerta, etc. Sure, he was wrong about the "no new tests" bit, but the 2009-10 blood results have been underplayed in the English media, and likely so elsewhere, and I don't know why anyone would expect AC to read the entire (English) reasoned-decision. Besides, technically speaking it was NOT a new "failed test", so he is not even that wrong.

That issue aside, what else did he say that was not true, incorrect, or supportive of a doping culture? To me he seemed to be expressing mostly sympathy for a fellow cyclist who certainly has been "lynched" in that most of his former supporters who also certainly knew LA was guilty have turned on LA just to protect their own interests. He might simply being showing some empathy since he too recently suffered terribly because of a doping scandal. Not everything is a cover-up or a doping scandal, and not everything is about the cycling business. Sometimes it's just a man watching a fallen peer and thinking "there but for the grace of God go I".

Showing sympathy for a guilty person's suffering is NOT the same as condoning what that person did.

 

[hrotha]

How about the bit where he questions why the witnesses spoke now as opposed to back when all this happened? Coming from someone who was directed by Bruyneel, worked with Pepe Martí and Celaya and was a teammate of doped Leipheimer and doped Armstrong and who didn't speak out and won't speak out or confess it's just too much.

It's classic mud-slinging at the witnesses.

 

[aphronesis]

How about the bit where he questions why the witnesses spoke now as opposed to back when all this happened? Coming from someone who was directed by Bruyneel, worked with Pepe Martí and Celaya and was a teammate of doped Leipheimer and doped Armstrong and who didn't speak out and won't speak out or confess it's just too much.

It's classic mud-slinging at the witnesses.

Is it? Do you truly believe that some--not all--spoke because they wanted to, or because they were leveraged? Yes, it's said, and it's a given that no one would have felt that they could have spoken back at the date he gives (2005?) and had any results other than being ostracized, but do you believe the whole convenience of the narrative as its presented now? Is it's seamlessness and integrity somehow more palatable and convincing than the "myth" that was just dismantled?

 

[hrotha]

Is it? Do you truly believe that some--not all--spoke because they wanted to, or because they were leveraged? Yes, it's said, and it's a given that no one would have felt that they could have spoken back at the date he gives (2005?) and had any results other than being ostracized, but do you believe the whole convenience of the narrative as its presented now? Is it's seamlessness and integrity somehow more palatable and convincing than the "myth" that was just dismantled?

What narrative? If you've been following the events, it's been plainly stated that Hamilton, Leipheimer or Hincapie only testified when they were forced to. Even the Garmin guys make it clear they only spoke when an official investigation was launched - not that they got it started themselves.

And what does that have to do with my post anyway?

 

[aphronesis]

What narrative? If you've been following the events, it's been plainly stated that Hamilton, Leipheimer or Hincapie only testified when they were forced to. Even the Garmin guys make it clear they only spoke when an official investigation was launched - not that they got it started themselves.

And what does that have to do with my post anyway?

Well, Tygart's narrative for one. Which is part of what Contador was addressing in his remarks.

What does that have to do with your post? The last sentence I would think. Witnesses to what? In what capacity? He's casting aspersions on the integrity of the process as it led to a certain end. In which case the "classic mudslinging at witnesses" is asking what their role in the situation is and why.

So it's a little less than classic.

And what would you expect him to say? Ultimately?

 

[Tom375]

I disagree with most of you, I'm afraid. I read AC comments as being mostly about being tactful and neutral, and not throwing Armstrong under the bus. This is NOT the same as supporting what LA did, an expression of Omerta, etc.

Disagree - it would have been more palatable/honourable as someone who has failed a dope test just to be honest and say he wasn't in a position really to judge others as he'd failed a test, this would however being honest and breaking the omerta as he'd have to 'fess up to lying about it in the same way LA did. Therefore he still feels he has no other option but to back up LA's version.

 

[ToreBear]

I don't expect any anti-doping talk from a spanish rider at this time. Indurain set down the law of the land, followed by Samuel Sanchez and Valverde and now Contador.

It can't be easy for a clean Spanish rider going up against all that and all the other questionable employees in the spanish team hierarchy and federation.

No, a clean Spanish rider has to keep his head down, work hard and hope the anti-doping measures are improving enough for him to have a chance. They are the real representatives of spanish cycling, and hopefully in time they will be able to show themselves.

In the mean time.

We have Indurain:
First rider to win a Tour de France thanks to EPO.
The winner of 5 consecutive tours all thanks to EPO.
One of Conconis Frankenstein creations.

Valverde:
Team leader at Movistar.
Of Puerto fame.

Samuel Sanchez:
Team leader at Euskatel.
Who apearently is yet to have been snuffed out.

Alberto Contador:
Who escaped puerto, but managed to find the only cow in spain, full of recovery drugs.

Purito can either follow their media line or stay silent.

To be a clean spanish rider requires inner strength. But the likelihood of reward for keeping ones own integrity is higher now than it was 10 years ago.

Anti doping work is improving, and even Spain will be forced to follow suit.

 

[BigChain]

Quote from BBC
'But Contador, who rode alongside Armstrong in the Astana team in 2009, said the 41-year-old had left a lasting legacy in the sport and criticised the Usada report's reliance on testimonies from former team-mates and team officials.
"Right now people are talking about Lance but there has not been any new test or anything," Contador added.'
QUOTE]

So the Spanish Armada riders don't believe in sworn testimony. Perhaps we should just have a good old Spanish Inquisition. Let's see Bertie, Indurain. S.Sanchez and Valverde squirming then.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

That issue aside, what else did he say that was not true, incorrect, or supportive of a doping culture? To me he seemed to be expressing mostly sympathy for a fellow cyclist who certainly has been "lynched" in that most of his former supporters who also certainly knew LA was guilty have turned on LA just to protect their own interests. He might simply being showing some empathy since he too recently suffered terribly because of a doping scandal. Not everything is a cover-up or a doping scandal, and not everything is about the cycling business. Sometimes it's just a man watching a fallen peer and thinking "there but for the grace of God go I".

What a load of garbage. How about some sympathy for the people whose careers Armstrong ruined, or for the people whose reputations he dragged through the mud?

Everyone knows Contador doesn't want to throw Lance under the bus because he was on the same team and likely was part of the same doping program. Contador is a great cyclist, a true talent, but also a doping cheat.

Contador couldn't wait to point fingers at a cow when he got popped, now he can't even smell the bullsh!t Lance served for the past dozen years.

No worries, Contadoper, we can smell your BS all too easily.

 

[ChrisE]

This is hilarious. Every time I come into the clinic to see what you guys are screeching about, I have to redefine my definition of a$$clown.

4-5 years ago AC became Contadope while chasing the chicken up mountains, a product of the Saiz and Bruhneel doping regimens, coming off the beach to win the giro, etc. Then, LA is mean to him at supper and takes his wheels and AC is a sympathetic soul in the clinic. Of course, I pointed the hypocrisy out at the time and probably got a short ban for "spitting in the clinic soup".

Now, AC sends love notes thru the media to Bruhneel, LA, Levi, etc. because he knows he is up to his pointed head in PED's, and his webos are in their hands. TH said it himself and all of you clowns know it is true; the peloton is entrenched with PEDs and has a circle the wagons mentality when it comes to doping. Nothing new here.

Que the outrage of the clinic hypocrites with amnesia about the terrible supper and wheels that added to the insatiable need to see LA go down. The clinic is not about seeing PED use in cycling diminish.

The clinic is about LA going down. Period. FL is now a hero when he still, to this day, admits to everything but the kitchen sink in his system except T. AC was a hero even when doped up when LA was mean to him. TH is the hero now, I don't know about his chimera. And yet, the pigs in here will dine at the trough next spring when their 'clean' heroes compete and you will clap like single digit IQ goons.

It's all about LA. Everybody can dope their asses off as long as they slam him.

Clowns, the whole wad of you.

 

[Tom375]

Perhaps we should just have a good old Spanish Inquisition. Let's see Bertie, Indurain. S.Sanchez and Valverde squirming then.

.
Funny a similar strand was made in article i read yesterday on Cyclismas only they used in the context of the farcical UCI press conference on Monday.
See article below - The mind of Mr.McQuaid.

http://www.cyclismas.com/2012/10/the-mind-of-mcquaid-geneva-press-conference/

 

[Sarcastic Wet Trout]

It's how Alberto sees it. Assuming that what he says is really what he sees then it's the truth. He didn't say that that's how it is, he says that's how he sees it. It's his opinion. You don't have to agree.

Yes, But I was responding your comment that he was speaking the truth.

He probably believes that he got popped because he ate tainted beef. The large syringe sticking out his **** is not part of his truth.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

I can't tell if ChrisE choked on Lance's short and curlies or his own BS.

 

[richwagmn]

Contador again comes out to bootlick Armstrong and the doping culture. I have been a big fan of Spanish cycling over the years, from Heras to Mayo to Contador, but I am disgusted with them and Spanish sports in general. I've defended and praised Contador here, time and time again. No longer.

They've all shown themselves to be complete frauds, fully invested in the culture of doping and omerta.

Couldn't agree more. I'll be rooting for anyone to beat him next year.

 

[veganrob]

I disagree with most of you, I'm afraid. I read AC comments as being mostly about being tactful and neutral, and not throwing Armstrong under the bus. This is NOT the same as supporting what LA did, an expression of Omerta, etc. Sure, he was wrong about the "no new tests" bit, but the 2009-10 blood results have been underplayed in the English media, and likely so elsewhere, and I don't know why anyone would expect AC to read the entire (English) reasoned-decision. Besides, technically speaking it was NOT a new "failed test", so he is not even that wrong.

That issue aside, what else did he say that was not true, incorrect, or supportive of a doping culture? To me he seemed to be expressing mostly sympathy for a fellow cyclist who certainly has been "lynched" in that most of his former supporters who also certainly knew LA was guilty have turned on LA just to protect their own interests. He might simply being showing some empathy since he too recently suffered terribly because of a doping scandal. Not everything is a cover-up or a doping scandal, and not everything is about the cycling business. Sometimes it's just a man watching a fallen peer and thinking "there but for the grace of God go I".

Showing sympathy for a guilty person's suffering is NOT the same as condoning what that person did.

ALberto is not throwing Lance under the bus, he is already there, got run over and now the bus is backing up to get him again and you know what, he deserves to be there. He deserves all the *** that is happening to him after making so many peoples lives miserable.
Watching a fallen peer, There but for the grace of god. What drivel. How about a guilty person admitting his mistakes and showing remorse for being a scumbag his whole life. Waiting, waiting, waiting. When he does that maybe we change our attitude. But right now I only feel sorry for him because he is a pathetic POS.
C'mon dude, wake up, smell the coffee and not what is coming out of Lance a$$.

 

[cineteq]

Contador is known for making neutral comments, most of the time, he never gets into trouble for what he says, until today/yesterday. IMO he has been paid or had a pact to say that. He didn't need to say anything. However, I can't think of anybody who can ask him to that. Who could that be?

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

I freely admit that I entertained the possibility that Contador was clean. Yes, I was that myopic. I did the same with Hamilton, same with Landis, same with Heras. I was a huge fan of Roberto. I was a huge fan of Lance, until the Simeoni incident. Then I awoke.

I have supported Contador because he was, and is, a talented cyclist who was fun to watch. Now, there is no question in my mind that, while still a talent, he's a doping cheat. I can understand his predicament though. He knows he cannot win while others cheat. Others know the same. So, it's a vicious circle, perpetrated under the UCI's watch.

Cycling is as beautiful as its professional version is ugly.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Contador is known for making neutral comments, most of the time, he never gets into trouble for what he says, until today/yesterday. IMO he has been paid or had a pact to say that. He didn't need to say anything. However, I can't think of anybody who can ask him to that. Who could that be?

Bam. Exactly.

 

[ChrisE]

I can't tell if ChrisE choked on Lance's short and curlies or his own BS.

No, I am pointing out your etal hypocrisy as I always have, and how you etal don't give a **** about PED use in cycling. If it wasn't for LA this forum would have 10% the posts over the last years, if that. My post is not about LA, it is about the assclowns in the clinic.

AC today is the same AC that LA was mean to in 2009. Now he is the enemy for doing what he has always done, IOW enforce omerta. FL would still be slammed if LA would have given him a job in 2010. Look in the mirror MM. You are the problem.

 

[The Hitch]

Its clear what there guys are lacking is someone with more than 1 braincell to tell them when to.keep.their.mouth shut. Its like when dowsett said lance is still a cycling hero bailsford memod every sky rider to know their role and shut their mouth and even got wiggins to read a pr.statement shockingly devoid of.cursewords of a telempronpter.

But contador and co have no one to think for them.no one. Its a miracle these guys manage to get through so many races without getting busted.

 

[ChrisE]

Contador is known for making neutral comments, most of the time, he never gets into trouble for what he says, until today/yesterday. IMO he has been paid or had a pact to say that. He didn't need to say anything. However, I can't think of anybody who can ask him to that. Who could that be?

Whatever, he is sending smoke signals thru the media to LA, JB, etc. to cover his own ***. He has alot of exposure if people start blabbing, and his career will be finished. He is gripping hard right about now, nothing else.

To think he is doing something for LA or anybody, as if at this point his words would do anything to stop what is happening, is beyond shallow. Drink some coffee and take off the hate blinders.

 

[hrotha]

No, I am pointing out your etal hypocrisy as I always have, and how you etal don't give a **** about PED use in cycling. If it wasn't for LA this forum would have 10% the posts over the last years, if that. My post is not about LA, it is about the assclowns in the clinic.

AC today is the same AC that LA was mean to in 2009. Now he is the enemy for doing what he has always done, IOW enforce omerta. FL would still be slammed if LA would have given him a job in 2010. Look in the mirror MM. You are the problem.

Jesus Christ, did you even follow the various Contador threads? Other than Berzin and one or two others, everyone here was pretty consistent.

 

[happychappy]

I appreciate the attack on Alpuerto Clenbutador, but the attack on Spain is an outrageous insult.

National insults have no place in sport.

Unless it's an attack on Britain. Then it's ok. Apparently.