Will Contador Be Juiced Up Again Upon His Return

[Poursuivant]

If you look at the time Contador got caught for clenbuterol it was basically through his own fault. I have no doubt he is doped up again only this time he is being more careful. The tests are easy to beat, they were in Lance's era and they are now. There isnt a will to clamp down. Depressing really.

 

[mastersracer]

who knows what Contador might be up to, but the question for today is what happened to Purito? He had a bad day, was isolated by his team, and could only muster a 10th place for the stage.

 

[killswitch]

who knows what Contador might be up to, but the question for today is what happened to Purito? He had a bad day, was isolated by his team, and could only muster a 10th place for the stage.

Apart from the Movistar/Saxo riders, Jrod was the best of the rest of the GC men. Forced to ride alone for 20 kms and still finished almost two minutes ahead of the peloton containing the other GC favourites. I wouldn't say that was a case of a "bad" day.

 

[Bala Verde]

Interesting observations during today's commentary on Sporza.

They talked about Contador's (so far) successful comeback, but also briefly mentioned Riis' past and the Hamilton "Fuentes revelations". In addition, they were surprised how good Valverde was after the Tdf, when he was 'incapable of climbing just about any mountain' with the best, and, as far as I read their comments, noting that Valverde had expressed his doubts prior to the Vuelta about being able to participate competitively, they seemed to cynically attribute it to 'increased motivation.'

 

[Bumeington]

Apart from the Movistar/Saxo riders, Jrod was the best of the rest of the GC men. Forced to ride alone for 20 kms and still finished almost two minutes ahead of the peloton containing the other GC favourites. I wouldn't say that was a case of a "bad" day.

The fact that Froome/Gesink and the rest of the peloton were 1+ minutes behind at the top of the short cat 2 climb says to me they weren't chasing that hard. They've surely all given up on the podium, save the legs for a possible stage win

 

[jilbiker]

who knows what Contador might be up to, but the question for today is what happened to Purito? He had a bad day, was isolated by his team, and could only muster a 10th place for the stage.

Seriously, we talking about dope after what we have seen from Purito?? I think one of the things that ticks people off about LA and say Purito and say Wiggins is that these riders were not great riders, they are good, very good but not great. And then we see them suddenly and quickly move from very good to performing great feats.

We cannot deny the great talent of EddieM or Pantani even though they were doped as well and we cannot deny the great talent of AC as well. Doped or not, I am not pleased when a sudden "great" wins or is about to win a significant race. Just like I was ticked off about Wiggins and now Purito.

To me Valvade is highly suspicious and we know he was grossly unrepentant when banned, much like Vino. He caught up to AC today and looked strong, discounting the 1 minute from the crash, he may be closer to AC on the overall.

 

[Paco_P]

exactly, today was mostly a great tactical success and a massive fail from rodriguez who was on tremendously bad day.

Seeing as Rodriguez finished only 2 min back, and stands 7 minutes clear of the bloke (Froome) in 4th overall, "tremendously bad day" seems an overstatement.

 

[Sylvester]

Interesting observations during today's commentary on Sporza.

They talked about Contador's (so far) successful comeback, but also briefly mentioned Riis' past and the Hamilton "Fuentes revelations". In addition, they were surprised how good Valverde was after the Tdf, when he was 'incapable of climbing just about any mountain' with the best, and, as far as I read their comments, noting that Valverde had expressed his doubts prior to the Vuelta about being able to participate competitively, they seemed to cynically attribute it to 'increased motivation.'

Hispanophobic observations, actually. As ever. Wuyts is a joke.

 

[silverrocket]

Contador up to his old tricks on the rest day. Nothing has changed

Based on what? AC having a good day and finally winning a stage...by 6 seconds?

You believe that AC doping to finally defeat his squeeky clean non-doping competitors is more likely than AC simply recovering better than JRod and his explosive riding style (that in other riders commonly does not respond well the day after a rest-day)?

 

[Parrot23]

it will be interesting to see how alberto goes after the rest day

a possible indicator of the type of 'recovery drinks' employed

ROFLMAO, undoubtedly the post of the day.

Thought Barry Ryan's comments on the CN live report were good too, not getting too caught up by a great day of racing, whatever the genesis:

"17:30:35 CEST
A bizarre day as Alberto Contador manages a remarkable transformation of his fortunes at the Vuelta a España to move into red, one month after completing his doping suspension. At 32 years of age and in his first season back after a two year ban, Alejandro Valverde rolls back the years with a startling showing on the shallow final climb to the line to move up to second place overall."

Bertie's still a "rock" star it seems when it comes to heart, head...and plasticizers. Maybe at it again, just more discreetly. Who knows?

Purito's given notice a couple of times about the high speeds of the starts of stages, saying, I think, if those continued someone would walk out on crutches near the end of the Vuelta. Pity it was him today, relatively speaking. He's played second fiddle for a long time.

Just wish these guys, beyond Bertie alone, could do this at the Tour.

 

[Havetts]

Based on what? AC having a good day and finally winning a stage...by 6 seconds?

You believe that AC doping to finally defeat his squeeky clean non-doping competitors is more likely than AC simply recovering better than JRod and his explosive riding style (that in other riders commonly does not respond well the day after a rest-day)?

Based on the history of Contador being suddenly so much better than before the rest day. I mean on the Cuitu Negru he didnt even gap JRod and now two days later he "recovered" so much more than Purito did. Thats bull****, just as in the Tour of 2011, he got dropped on pretty much all the final climbs. Come second rest day, also known as refill day. The day after he drops everyone bar Sanchez and Evans, its hilariously obvious.

 

[sniper]

Based on the history of Contador being suddenly so much better than before the rest day. I mean on the Cuitu Negru he didnt even gap JRod and now two days later he "recovered" so much more than Purito did. Thats bull****, just as in the Tour of 2011, he got dropped on pretty much all the final climbs. Come second rest day, also known as refill day. The day after he drops everyone bar Sanchez and Evans, its hilariously obvious.

in the contador tradition it's known as blood plasma transfusion day.

Interesting to see how the experienced dopers (Contador/Valverde) know how to fully exploit the second restday. But I don't know what to make of Purito. He's experienced as well.

Could Purito have gotten a warning? It doesn't seem far-fetched that the Vuelta organizers would prefer Contador as a winner. Who's in charge of the Vuelta testing? UCI?

 

[Parrot23]

But wait, there's more:

http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/photos/2004/worlds04/index.php?id=mtt/cycling-ita-world-57

Here we go, just to complete the "definitive" prima facie series for those whose silence is very conveniently deafening. They should enjoy this, LOL:

 

[sartoris]

After reading some of the Vuelta thread it strikes me how much Contador fans continue to live in denial about his performance. Sure, it is possible Contador is not back to top form due to a lack of race fitness after his six month ban. That being said you have to believe Contador has been training with a vengeance for the Vuelta. Winning this race would be Contador's chance to vindicate himself and continue to argue he has been clean all along and was unjustly suspended.

What seems more likely is we are seeing what a clean Contador looks like. Contador has been very good and still animating the race with aggressive attacks, but has not been able to ride away with the kinds of explosive attacks we have seen from him in past grand tours. I don't think we'll be seeing these kinds of attacks from Contador or anyone else if they are truly riding clean.

It's only been one race so far so time will tell. So far Contador has looked much like other star riders we have seen coming back from suspension (Basso, Vino, Millar etc), still competitive but certainly not at pre-suspension level.

Now what?

 

[glassmoon]

hmm... some tasty steaks during the rest day

 

[sniper]

Here we go, just to complete the "definitive" prima facie series for those whose silence is very conveniently deafening. They should enjoy this, LOL:
....

funny stuff

 

[sniper]

hmm... some tasty steaks during the rest day

I bet he had some steaks flown in from france.
he doesn't trust spanish steak no more.

 

[sartoris]

Based on the history of Contador being suddenly so much better than before the rest day. I mean on the Cuitu Negru he didnt even gap JRod and now two days later he "recovered" so much more than Purito did. Thats bull****, just as in the Tour of 2011, he got dropped on pretty much all the final climbs. Come second rest day, also known as refill day. The day after he drops everyone bar Sanchez and Evans, its hilariously obvious.

Some people would say the first thing that comes to their feeble minds to discredit the best rider alive.

 

[sartoris]

I bet he had some steaks flown in from france.
he doesn't trust spanish steak no more.

Are you a profesional comedian? You seem pretty funny. I'd like to book you for a private party.

 

[sniper]

Are you a profesional comedian? You seem pretty funny. I'd like to book you for a private party.

you don't. (come on, cheer up)

 

[sniper]

Are you a profesional comedian? You seem pretty funny. I'd like to book you for a private party.

you don't

 

[Dr.Sahl]

I didnt joke, during the tdf! when I said that all other teams would come back with a weird boost and crazy riders ^^

The Dark Age is upon us... but atleast contador is more likeable than Wiggins or Froome

 

[Walkman]

you don't

You sir, own me a new keyboard!! That was hilarious!

 

[Chemainiac]

Here we go again.....

If anyone believes a certain rider has not found a way to beat the system, they need only watch the Vuelta. Going straight uphill at impossible rates of speed. Clean riders cannot match the pace. And who in the world can summon so many surges on one climb. Clean humans cannot do this....no way....impossible. Why do they not publish the watt output of the leaders....it would be the nail in the coffin. Hopefully this guy gets found out along with the other few that seem to have found a way to escape detection. A travesty made of a great sport. And of course, it is only Spaniards in Spain who seem to be able to deliver the impossible. Seems to be an institutionalized thing if you ask this observer. It is staring us in the face and yet we have announcers going gaga over what we know as impossible. They refer to form.....I call it something else...and quite clearly it is. No wonder so many have no clue this race is even on!!

 

[Fearless Greg Lemond]

Did I miss some news today? I haven't read Jose Ibarguren was transferred to SAXO but yet Alberto did a Tom Boonen.

Plain old laughable.

Not even Alberto's run, how about al those SAXO's after the restday, again piling on the climbs.

The most laughable of course is Valverde.

Rodriguez must be ****ed off, or did he get the wrong equipment for today?

Only in Spain, again.