sniper said:
The problem is, Spanish nationalist pride is currently sickly dependent on the nation's success in sports. And for Spanish politicians, focusing on sports is a way of distracting attention away from the rampant economy.
This illustrates:
http://de.eurosport.yahoo.com/radsport/blog/article/2620/
Unfortunately, it's in German. It's about the Zapatero and Juan Carlos backing up Contador in the media, immediately after the UCI's announcement yesterday
Here is that particular article translated into English.
The pigeons?
These can "judge" you just do: As soon as the UCI makes the case Contador Ernst - and will no doubt surprise some of their critics - the procedure comes from bad to worse.
And it all goes good for Regulations: The Spanish federation is now so bound to give a positive test when the top riders in the country. And what is the president of the Royal Federation "as a first response on the same night?
"I hope that the outcome should be favorable for the athlete."
Great. And Juan Carlos Castano has of course a good reason why he considers Contador innocent. Because: "I've known him since he drove in the youth team and can not help but to put myself in his shoes."
Since it could not very long week studies and expert opinions needed to explain the finding of minimal traces of Clenbuterol and evaluate.
While reloading Castano has been more neutral comments - but the pieces for his first meaningful statements on the radio are so difficult to mend.
Experts dispute nano-scale
After all, should now be started at high speed the proceedings, but it is probably expect too much with a new Justice Marathon. One month, the Spanish association now time, after which any further delay penalties to be attracted by the UCI. If it takes more than three months, can bring the UCI, the method directly in front of a judge of the CAS. Added to that, as almost standard, appeals to the highest level, which should delay the final verdict on.
Between acquittal and two-year ban is still a possibility, quite unharmed but Contador is no escape. That's already the stage of the UCI clear that after long studies of highly qualified experts, the case did not want to shelve it.
This is the first good news. For at least it is clear that there will be no deal now more likely, as it had with the UCI Contador probably be sought first.
Now we will all hopefully get an insight into the scientific advice of the last weeks and months because the procedure will be a duel of the analysis and explanations. Where did that come from Clenbuterol? Is a flesh-contamination probably even provable? What about the traces of plasticizer in the blood - this is weighted as evidence. Is there perhaps even witnesses who not only can anonymously report on possible doping practices?
Worse than the worst case scenario
Even before the start of the hearings is clear: there is a change in the procedures necessary path. should place the UCI or even the national associations, WADA or the national anti-doping agencies carry the process to ensure a much-needed greater independence.
I only hope that is not the case, Contador one is similar to endless impertinent matter how the affair Valverde. Until today, "Piti" his people as the innocent victims of the justice.
This does not mean that Contador will be guilty for me at all costs. If there is convincing scientific explanations for its findings, an acquittal or a warning, similar to table tennis star Dimitrij Ovtcharov is definitely there.
A convicted Tour winner is the worst case scenario for the sport of cycling, no question. But even worse would be if the verdict, whether acquittal or long lock, a "Gschmäckle" would stick.