The Hitch said:
Its the same everywhere in that regard. Most countries like to say that cycling is the doping sport and all the ones which make them real money are clean. Cyclists (who cares about them) are evil, unlike footballers or tennis players who would never touch drugs if only because they realize they represent their country and their sport. They are true heroes.
At least Spain freed a lesser athlete like Contador and tried to with an even lesser one like Valverde.
I dont think that could happen in a country like Germany which would use any positive to try to finish the sport.
By letting AC off the hook, Spanish sports has done themselves a hughe disfavor.
Basically all spanish accomplishments in sports are highly suspicious now in the eyes of the world.
Which is why I don't really understand why they didn't sacrifice AC, if only to clean up Spain's image in sports.
And all this regardless of whether it's also happening in other countries, which it obviously is. The point is, AC was such an obvious cheater, that letting him off the hook raised a lot of eyebrows, especially after Puerto.