Official "another interesting piece I found on Alberto Contador" Thread

[D-Queued]

Crowd is just following the script written by the UCI and disseminated by most of the media - that is Contador is the bad guy while blond Schleck is the clean savior of cycling.

ri.di.cu.lous.

They will really put him on a pedestal should he get a benign skin cancer.

Dave.

 

[JRTinMA]

havn't seen this mentioned anywhere else sorry if it has been...

Alberto Contador booed at Tour launch

Albuterol Clentador might need to watch himself at the top of the mountains

Classless cycling fans.

 

[Mrs John Murphy]

Alternatively they may view him as a classless rider who has lied repeatedly (everything from doping to knowing about Schleck's chain), who has benefited from the protection of his federation (over several years) and who has exploited the legal process (getting his CAS appeal delayed until after the TDF to enable him) and someone who deserves to be booed.

He's made his bed and that's the one he's got to lie in.

 

[cyclelicious]

Albuterol Clentador might need to watch himself at the top of the mountains

Classless cycling fans.

Any hint of violence towards ANY rider is classless indeed.

 

[Kender]

Any hint of violence towards ANY rider is classless indeed.

I agree. but there have been instances in the past of crowds showing their displeasure for riders in the packed alpine passes.

get a few thousand people drunk at altitude and that's a recipe for disaster. Frankly i'm surprised there's not more incidents with the crowds up there. some of those spectators look really really drunk

 

[Lajeretta4Ever]

Riis is actually correct - as the system stands, Contador is free to ride - due process and all that.

Looking at the photo of Riis on the dais with El Poterhouse, all I could think, man Riis looks like he swallowed an off season version of Jan Ullrich.

 

[D-Queued]

Looking at the photo of Riis on the dais with El Poterhouse, all I could think, man Riis looks like he swallowed an off season version of Jan Ullrich.

Good thing they didn't test him for clen. Talk about tainted meat.

Dave.

 

[frenchfry]

havn't seen this mentioned anywhere else sorry if it has been...

Alberto Contador booed at Tour launch

Albuterol Clentador might need to watch himself at the top of the mountains

The booing of Contador got a lot of media coverage. I was surprised as I thought most cycling fans here just blindly accept doping as an integral part of the sport. Maybe times are really changing, it's only the riders and their enablers (including, of course, the UCI) that haven't realised this yet.

 

[OneRaceWonder]

Nice to see the spectators reacting towards cyclists trying to insult their intelligence...

But seriously, spectators are allowed to express their feelings...

 

[Angliru]

http://www.bicycling.com/tour-de-france/tour-features/pushing-40-and-getting-faster?page=0,2

Chris Horners quote

"Well, first off, I don’t think he should have won the Tour de France for that year (2010). Because I believe if you did test positive for a performance-enhancing substance like clenbuterol, then you’re out of the race."

He is not the only pro with this view. Not they are anti AC, so much as they are frustrated with how one rider can be treated so differently than another, and the rules flip flop. All other riders that have been caught with Clenb. in their system were banned.......so why is AC being treated with kid gloves.

Money and politics.......that is why. They go hand and hand.

I don't see anywhere in that interview where Horner actually says that Contador shouldn't be allowed to race the 2011 Tour.

 

[Angliru]

In the team presser Contador just said he was the most tested rider in the sport. Classic stuff.

EDIT: He also stated he is fiercely anti-doping and believes in zero tolerance. This was a response to a question about his apparent lack of a public stance on doping.

The other interesting thing was Riis opened by saying if you're unhappy Alberto is here don't blame them, blame the system.

Do you have link for that?

 

[Angliru]

havn't seen this mentioned anywhere else sorry if it has been...

Alberto Contador booed at Tour launch

Albuterol Clentador might need to watch himself at the top of the mountains

Is that wishful thinking on your part? Will you one of those at top of the mountains that he needs to be wary of?

 

[Dr. Maserati]

Classless cycling fans.

I predicted this would happen almost a month ago:

The flaw in your logic is that if RFEC had adhered to these "international rules" Contador would be currently suspended.

I think Bert will be in for a tough time at the Tour - it is not like the Giro, if he takes the lead expect the crowd to turn on him like the did with Rasmussen in 2007.

They are not "classless cycling fans" (although I do not agree with booing a rider).
There are different types of fan at the Tour - there are ordinary French people who are not "cycling fans", they look at the Tour as their race and that Contador is bringing it in to disrepute.
Then there's a lot of visitors, many of those are there to support a particular team or rider so AC will not have many supporters there.
Then there are the cycling fans who will greet him with apathy.

Its going to be a long Tour for AC.

 

[JRTinMA]

I predicted this would happen almost a month ago:


They are not "classless cycling fans" (although I do not agree with booing a rider).
There are different types of fan at the Tour - there are ordinary French people who are not "cycling fans", they look at the Tour as their race and that Contador is bringing it in to disrepute.
Then there's a lot of visitors, many of those are there to support a particular team or rider so AC will not have many supporters there.
Then there are the cycling fans who will greet him with apathy.

Its going to be a long Tour for AC.

I agree with you completely. However they supported some suspected dopers and outright cheered A Schleck. Why is that? He's not French and he may win their race. It's all pretty classless to me. I hate HATE Contador and I stand by my assertion, classless.

 

[Dr. Maserati]

I agree with you completely. However they supported some suspected dopers and outright cheered A Schleck. Why is that? He's not French and he may win their race. It's all pretty classless to me. I hate HATE Contador and I stand by my assertion, classless.

Here is a rhetorical question:
Do you "hate HATE" all dopers (ie with that capslock intensity) or just Contador?

Because if there is a difference between your view on AC and say Schleck then it is no more hypocritical than the 'French' attitude to the different riders.

 

[L'arriviste]

They are not "classless cycling fans" (although I do not agree with booing a rider).
There are different types of fan at the Tour - there are ordinary French people who are not "cycling fans", they look at the Tour as their race and that Contador is bringing it in to disrepute.
Then there's a lot of visitors, many of those are there to support a particular team or rider so AC will not have many supporters there.
Then there are the cycling fans who will greet him with apathy.

Its going to be a long Tour for AC.

This and nicely put. Though I do agree with booing - and any other legal, safe Tour de Dope activities - precisely because of your assertion that the Tour is their race. Are we not hypocrites if we approve of "alternative" Livestrong road messages and guys dressing up as syringes but then showing disapproval of booing? Well, so long as it doesn't endanger anybody, I think it's healthy.

The riders, management, soigneurs, doctors, all live and work in a bubble. I think it's only fair that they be occasionally reminded who are the sponsors behind the sponsors. Better than mankinis anyway.

 

[andy1234]

I predicted this would happen almost a month ago:


They are not "classless cycling fans" (although I do not agree with booing a rider).
There are different types of fan at the Tour - there are ordinary French people who are not "cycling fans", they look at the Tour as their race and that Contador is bringing it in to disrepute.
Then there's a lot of visitors, many of those are there to support a particular team or rider so AC will not have many supporters there.
Then there are the cycling fans who will greet him with apathy.

Its going to be a long Tour for AC.

It would take a brave man to be too disparaging of Contador when the race hits the Pyrenees. The basques can a formidable bunch when it comes to supporting the Spanish riders.

 

[Dr. Maserati]

This and nicely put. Though I do agree with booing - and any other legal, safe Tour de Dope activities - precisely because of your assertion that the Tour is their race. Are we not hypocrites if we approve of "alternative" Livestrong road messages and guys dressing up as syringes but then showing disapproval of booing? Well, so long as it doesn't endanger anybody, I think it's healthy.

The riders, management, soigneurs, doctors, all live and work in a bubble. I think it's only fair that they be occasionally reminded who are the sponsors behind the sponsors. Better than mankinis anyway.

Hmm, you have certainly given me pause on my thoughts with some excellent points.

However, I do think it is disrespectful to boo any rider (even a known doper) - irrespective of my feelings they are putting their ass on the saddle and faces in the wind.
My preferred reaction is to ignore them or treat them indifferently but I certainly wouldn't object/interfere if someone was booing.

It would take a brave man to be too disparaging of Contador when the race hits the Pyrenees. The basques can a formidable bunch when it comes to supporting the Spanish riders.

To be fair - the Basques are passionate, not clueless - so they may not like a rider being singled out but they would just cheer more.
I actually think booing etc an American rider in front of an American fan would be far more dangerous.

 

[JRTinMA]

Here is a rhetorical question:
Do you "hate HATE" all dopers (ie with that capslock intensity) or just Contador?

Because if there is a difference between your view on AC and say Schleck then it is no more hypocritical than the 'French' attitude to the different riders.

I don't dislike Contador because he may be a doper. Not sure where I implied that or your point for that matter. I would cheer for schleck over Alberto but I have no good reason. You like who you like. I like when Vino mixes it up and he's a doper.

 

[JRTinMA]

Hmm, you have certainly given me pause on my thoughts with some excellent points.

However, I do think it is disrespectful to boo any rider (even a known doper) - irrespective of my feelings they are putting their ass on the saddle and faces in the wind.
My preferred reaction is to ignore them or treat them indifferently but I certainly wouldn't object/interfere if someone was booing.


To be fair - the Basques are passionate, not clueless - so they may not like a rider being singled out but they would just cheer more.
I actually think booing etc an American rider in front of an American fan would be far more dangerous.

We are a dangerous lot lol. You are free to have your biased thoughts even if they are ridiculous. Gross nationalism and drunk *******s come from all countries. You need to get out a bit.

 

[andy1234]

To be fair - the Basques are passionate, not clueless - so they may not like a rider being singled out but they would just cheer more.
I actually think booing etc an American rider in front of an American fan would be far more dangerous.

I would much rather boo an American rider (though I would never boo any rider) in front of American fans.

A few nights in the Pyrenees might just change your opinion on the more dangerous option Doc.

 

[Dr. Maserati]

I don't dislike Contador because he may be a doper. Not sure where I implied that or your point for that matter. I would cheer for schleck over Alberto but I have no good reason. You like who you like. I like when Vino mixes it up and he's a doper.

Yet you are assuming the motivation of the 'French' is?
You asked "why is that", it is the same motivation and apparent contradiction that you yourself possess between AC and/or AS.

[/B]

We are a dangerous lot lol. You are free to have your biased thoughts even if they are ridiculous. Gross nationalism and drunk *******s come from all countries. You need to get out a bit.

Sure, it is a generalization- but gross nationalism and being drunk come from all countries, but the difference is that the Basques do not put an (unfair) expectation on the cleanliness of their riders.

 

[JRTinMA]

Yet you are assuming the motivation of the 'French' is?
You asked "why is that", it is the same motivation and apparent contradiction that you yourself possess between AC and/or AS.


Sure, it is a generalization- but gross nationalism and being drunk come from all countries, but the difference is that the Basques do not put an (unfair) expectation on the cleanliness of their riders.

Motivation, not sure I really pondered their motivation when I asked, why is that. All I said is they were classless and the lack of class can override motivation in a moment. FWIW, booing and jeering on a mountain peak is different in my mind than booing at the team presentation.

 

[Dr. Maserati]

Motivation, not sure I really pondered their motivation when I asked, why is that. All I said is they were classless and the lack of class can override motivation in a moment. FWIW, booing and jeering on a mountain peak is different in my mind than booing at the team presentation.

No, you said they were "classless cycling fans".
Chances are they are not "cycling fans" - and even if they were their actions are not classless.

Also, there is no difference between booing a rider on a mountain or on stage (podium or presentation) to me, in either scenario people are showing their displeasure at his participation in the event.

 

[JRTinMA]

No, you said they were "classless cycling fans".
Chances are they are not "cycling fans" - and even if they were their actions are not classless.

Also, there is no difference between booing a rider on a mountain or on stage (podium or presentation) to me, in either scenario people are showing their displeasure at his participation in the event.

I think it was classless, I think they were fans, I think they were classless cycling fans. My experience has always been that fans come to sporting events they are fans of, ie cycling fans to cycling. I was invited to a cricket game/match on this trip, I passed as I'm not a fan. You think booing is cool that's your decision. I would not want to boo your favorite rider in front of you. I've learned this could be dangerous.