Sad & frustrating day for SPANISH SPORTS , Spanish Cycling & for World Nº1 cycle-rider ALBERTO CONTADOR after the "Court of Arbritration for Sport" (TAS) gave in their sentence of a 2 year penalty today. But if that was harsh they also retired his 2010 Tour de France & 2011 Giro de Italia title.
But there is more, Alberto Contador can begin riding again the 6th of August 2012, that means he will miss out on this years Olympic Games & Tour de France. A devasting blow.
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| Alberto Contador |
I do not wish to get into the details of his "supposed" doping or the moral & ethical issues (read the 1000s of documents), except say that the Judge who handed in the final sentence - after an unprecedented & very strange 565 day wait - Efraim Barak, said that the Tribunal could not prove beyond doubt that Contador did dope himself. Here is a new one that will give a "legal precedent", you can be sentenced without being proved guilty.
Bullshit aside - & there has been plenty from the Tour de France organizers & the International Cycling Association (UCI) - what is clear as water is that this sentence has got nothing to do with finding "justice" per say. It´s got to do with finding a powerful "scape-goat" that will serve as an example, its got to do with power - politics & some very jealous-envious European neighbours which cannot stand to see Spaniards take their National Cycling Title every year.
This would not have occurred if the cyclist in question (instead of being Spanish & who has the potential to win the Tour de France the next four years, Contador) was a Frenchmen ( Sarkozy would have fixed things ) , German ( Merkel would have cleared things) English ( Cameron would have spoken out) , Russian ( Putin would have cut off the gas to Europe) or American ( Armstrong has been under a cloud for years .... ). It is just a Spaniard that has a country in a debt crisis calling for favours of all sorts everyday. Nice moment to stick the boot in ... I am sure some of our European brothers will be laughing their "wheels" off.
I will like to send my support to Contador & hope he keeps his spirits ups & hope most Spaniards pass on the Tour de France this year as it has already lost its glitz & credibilty. Lastly, if your a cyclist , beware, a multi-vitamin complex may get you banned depending which country your from...
Spanish Sport continues with its string of success stories, this time in Cycling & in Formula 1 racing.
Spanish cyclist ALBERTO CONTADOR won his 3rd TOUR DE FRANCE (2010) today ahead of Andy Schleck & Denis Melchov. The Spaniard was emotional as this edition was the most fought especially after nearly “losing” the leaders grip yesterday in the 52 km time-trial that although he won Contador later let known that he experienced dedicated moments during the leg.
The other great Spanish Sports story today was that Spanish Formula One driver FERNANDO ALONSO won the GERMAN F1 GP ahead of Ferrari team-mate Massi with third place to Vettal. However, there was controversy as Felipe Massa allowed Fernando Alonso to pass him when he was leading to give Alonso the race. This off course led to a 100.000 US$ fine & Ferrari will have to wait to see want the World F1 Council has to say & what extra penalty they may place on the “Italian Stallion”.
Blemish aside, grand day for Spanish Sports
PD. JORGE LORENZO wins the USA Moto GP at "Laguna Seca". Grand!
It´s the 4th year in a row that a Spanish rider wins the TOUR DE
FRANCE.This year ALBERTO CONTADOR won his second title ( last
time 2007) ahead of Andy Schleck & 7 time winner Lance Armstrong.
The curious episode was that the organization played the Danish
national anthem instead of the Spanish when Contador stood
bewildered as he watch the Spanish flag climb the mast to a
"different beat". No doubt this will create some interesting questions.
Other winners:
Today stage winner: Mark Cavendish
General - Regularity: Thor Hushovd
General- Mountain: Franco Pellizotti
General- Team: Astana
Spanish rider CARLOS SASTRE made his dream come true at theage of 33, to win the Worlds most prized cycling race, the TOUR DE
FRANCE 2008. Sastre become the 7th Spaniard to win the race &
gives the Tour a "Spanish Flavour" for the 3ºrd consecutive year.
Behind him finished Australian Evans in 2º place & Kohlin the the
3ºposition.
But the "party" continues, with another Spaniard winning the Green
jersey - Regularity - with OSCAR FREIRE, 3 time World Championtaking it home.
Great stuff from all the Spaniards, congratulations guys!
