Contador / Armstrong

Well Loyal - whats the read on the two boys?

Only Contador knows why he tested positive. The people can only speculate.

However it's worth noting that 0.00000000005 grams per millilitre of Clenbuterol was found in his urine, a ridiculously small amount according to science, and not near enough to improve performance.

Which begs Thomas Clarke's question. Is cycling cleaner or medicine wiser?

Is this guided by Schleck admiration ? Sitting on fence methinks! Lance may be about to be .... lanced. Cycling just can't shake this type of stuff ... which makes it hard to admire and follow.

Cycling is an endurance sport. Hence, cyclists take advantage of drugs that improve stamina, fitness, endurance and performance because they can. The drugs exist.

If a medicine was to come on the market that would make an athlete a better footballer or better golfer, I'm sure those sports would be plagued by cases of doping too. Fortunetely, science has yet to come up with a drug that can make us all Maradonas or Tigers.

The cycling media are sure to be gunning for the Schlecks this season too, what with Andy's uncanny ability to match a supposed drugged up Contador in the mountains and Frank's dealings with dodgy doctors in 2006. They've been after Lance too for what, ten years now? And nothing concrete has ever turned up.

Maybe nothing concrete but more than enough smoke. This will be the biggie though. Have to say I am not a fan and would share Paul Kimmage's view. Not sure about Andy S in the mountains but would class our own hero's performances there in the same vein as LA ...

Loyal2TheRoyal wrote:
If a medicine was to come on the market that would make an athlete a better footballer or better golfer, I'm sure those sports would be plagued by cases of doping too. Fortunetely, science has yet to come up with a drug that came us all Maradonas or Tigers.

The difference though, Loyal, is that drug taking has always been huge in cycling, to the extent that it is largely condoned by the peleton. Remember when they went on strike during Le Tour, in protest at the drugs raids? Armstrong cavorting with the infamous Michele Ferrari? Guys banned for cheating one year, and then back as team leaders the next? It just gives the impression that the teams/riders don't care whether people are clean or not.

I always enjoyed watching cycling, and think that with the tactics, sacrifice, unpredictability and drama involved it should be a fabulous sport. My earliest (vague) memory of the Tour is Laurent Fignon's 2nd win in 1984, but i've seen virtually all the big names fall by the wayside since then, and just don't believe any of it.

I share TCs reticence. What could be the ultimate sport is dogged - and constantly dogged - by drug related scandals.

Solution? Allow drugs. they are all at it anyway, cycling, athletics, swimming, football, rugby.......

Sure in soccer didn't someone make a fortune out of those sticking plasters for your nose?

Sports people will try anything.

Contador cleared today.

[quote="Loyal2TheRoyal"]Contador cleared today.



This was a strange case.

One cow in 34,000 might have been infected but none of them were Spanish.

However for three days Contador's reading decreased, which is in keeping with his story that he must have eaten something.

Not guilty.