Stick a fork in Alberto Contador

[warmfuzzies]

In case you missed it he was found Innocent. Until that verdict is overturned he is innocent. Take it to the clinic!

To me, a positive A and B test = cheating. The aftermath is politics, which is what continues in this example over at CAS. The facts remain. Deal with them.

 

[Grayguard]

To me, a positive A and B test = cheating. The aftermath is politics, which is what continues in this example over at CAS. The facts remain. Deal with them.

Meaning the limits/rules cannot be wrong... Take it to the Clinic. I'm sure you'll find some post there, that will illuminate you somewhat.

 

[warmfuzzies]

Contador realized today what Armstrong discovered last year at the Tour - sometimes you're the hammer, and sometimes you get nailed. Contador got nailed today. Isn't it wonderful that Andy didn't fingerbang his way across the finish line?

 

[Captain_Cavman]

Glad he won't win. Sorry he's racing at all. Sorry he ruined the Giro. Hope the authorities get properly stuck into both him and the RFEC. Doubt they will.

 

[El Pistolero]

Glad he won't win. Sorry he's racing at all. Sorry he ruined the Giro. Hope the authorities get properly stuck into both him and the RFEC. Doubt they will.

Doubt they will throw Cav out the race even though I'm sorry he's racing at all.

 

[Donkey]

Alberto Contador is the biggest champion of all. This year's Giro was at least two times more interesting race than Tour. I hope he'll win the Tour next year and then he'll give his farewell to Tour and only focus on Giro and Vuelta

 

[Grayguard]

I think some if this talk, is in the wrong forum. If we're going to discuss doping all the time, it's just not worth our time.

 

[Ramira]

Alberto Contador is the biggest champion of all. This year's Giro was at least two times more interesting race than Tour. I hope he'll win the Tour next year and then he'll give his farewell to Tour and only focus on Giro and Vuelta

I'm sorry to burst your bubble here but while his showing in the Giro was impressive it was not interesting at all, the gap between Contador and the rest was far to big to make the race exciting. This tour has been far more interesting then the Giro was at any time, from day 1 till day 21 everyone knew Contador would win it without even trying his hardest.

 

[BYOP88]

Glad he won't win. Sorry he's racing at all. Sorry he ruined the Giro. Hope the authorities get properly stuck into both him and the RFEC. Doubt they will.

So is it just him, you have a problem with or are there others? I mean lets not forget Frank's national Fed whitewashed his "issue" and I'm sure other feds have done the same for their top riders.

 

[Angliru]

Dont forfer people, this year was one of the hardest Giro's ever! I think he could do the Giro/Tour double, he is one hell of an athelete, he was close this year. Its still not over yet.

I'm going in what if territory here but what if he hadn't been delayed by that crash and lost the minute and a half, he wouldn't have had to expend energy on the Pinerolo and Gap stages trying to bring that deficit down. He and Samu both were in the same boat and had to attack in an effort to move back up the gc. Both faltered this stage. Add to that the crashes that actually resulted in the damage to his knee. I think he could've still been in contention if not for these circumstances even with the Giro in his legs but it is what it is. He's still a great champion in my eyes.

 

[Grayguard]

Please, lets have a moderator move all these comments to where they belong... It's getting old, fast.

 

[Captain_Cavman]

So is it just him, you have a problem with or are there others? I mean lets not forget Frank's national Fed also whitewashed his "issue".

There are others, Valverde last year, for instance. But their ability to influence a GT isn't in the same league. Contador like Armstrong before him is totally dominant. Therefore I have a bigger problem with him than with someone else with a similar crime and lack of punishment but less talent.

 

[BYOP88]

There are others, Valverde last year, for instance. But their ability to influence a GT isn't in the same league. Contador like Armstrong before him is totally dominant. Therefore I have a bigger problem with him than with someone else with a similar crime and lack of punishment but less talent.

So you have a problem with Frank?

 

[Captain_Cavman]

So you have a problem with Frank?

Clearly, and everyone else who slid out from under that rock.

 

[Carols]

Moderator please

Can we get the clinic talk to the clinic please?

 

[BYOP88]

Ok phew! I apologize, I thought for a moment you were one of those people who only thought Contador did it.

 

[Captain_Cavman]

Ok phew! I apologize, I thought for a moment you were one of those people who only thought Contador did it.

Apology accepted. [Clinicky stuff]

 

[Boeing]

I have more respect for him after this Tour than ever before.

With Giro Legs, Boos and suspicion and the Villain script played out in the media over chain gate, he still rides on despite poor form. Like a Champ

Im a fan

 

[richwagmn]

I have more respect for him after this Tour than ever before.

With Giro Legs, Boos and suspicion and the Villain script played out in the media over chain gate, he still rides on despite poor form. Like a Champ

Im a fan

I agree with this. He showed a lot of character this year. He's one tough dude.

 

[Desperate Moments]

I have more respect for him after this Tour than ever before.

With Giro Legs, Boos and suspicion and the Villain script played out in the media over chain gate, he still rides on despite poor form. Like a Champ

Im a fan

Same here. Not that it matters, but I still say he was sick today. He kept wiping his nose early in the race.

Still, we've seen a heroic effort from a great champion. I hope Alberto has something left for tomorrow and Saturday. Regardless, I'm already looking forward to next year.

 

[The Hitch]

Giro final GC:

1 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Saxo Bank Sungard 84:05:14
[...]
12 Hubert Dupont (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale 0:18:06

Tour current GC:

7 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Saxo Bank Sungard 0:04:44
[...]
26 Hubert Dupont (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale 0:31:52

I think the greater perspective tells a slightly different story.

Well to be fair nasty was just proving Pisti wrong after Pisti said that every rider that did the Giro had already dropped out.

And Dupont is still a hero. He dropped the likes of Scarponi, Nibali, Joaquim Rodriguez on Grossglockner, was up there on a lot of stages.

I was surprised to see him do so well here. Contador is special, yes so obviously hes done better at both the Tour and the Giro, but from the other people that did the Giro only Szmyd and Hoogerland have shown their faces at the Tour, and neither did as well at the Giro as Dupont.

 

[red_flanders]

Here at the TDF he's done.

But remember back 2 months ago he won the most difficult GT profile of all time in a commanding manner. He is still the boss of GT's. He is still the definition of good racing: attacking to win, riding aggressively, exciting the fans. He is still one of the greatest of all time.

This.

And it would be super-cool if he rode Lombardy.

 

[CatsNK]

Is AC still planning to ride the Vuelta?

 

[Ramira]

Is AC still planning to ride the Vuelta?

I don't think he ever truly was, this was the year to see if the double was possible and if it was he might go for the triple. Considering how much he's suffering now he's very unlikely to be on top form in just 4 weeks.

 

[BYOP88]

I think on Sunday Contador's season ends, but hopefully(I know some will want CAS to give him a 12-24 month vacation) he'll be back next year and at 100% for the Tour.