Banned for 1 year

Not all that surprising.

and stripped of the 2010 Tour title

http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/01/news/contador-decision-could-be-tomorrow-could-be-in-the-coming-hours-official-says_157185 

Bjarne Riis will be at his side for press conference. Didn't Riis admit to using EPO when racing? Hardly a strong endorsement.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rossi Smash 

and stripped of the 2010 Tour title

 

 

http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/01/news/contador-decision-could-be-tomorrow-could-be-in-the-coming-hours-official-says_157185 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roadrash 

I didn't think the Spanish Federation would even do that.  I'm sure the UCI is pissed that it wasn't the full two years.

Bet they appeal to the CAS for the full two.  Gad, these things can drag out.  At least he won't be racing like the last time the Spanish Federation ruled on (or didn't rule on) ValVerrde.

Edit: The plot thickens:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roadrash 

I didn't think the Spanish Federation would even do that.  I'm sure the UCI is pissed that it wasn't the full two years.

You were also prophetic.  For those who have the good sense not to follow these things too closely, first the Spanish Fed gave him a one year suspension.  Contador appealled, and sure enough, as Roadrash predicted they dropped all charges on their homeboy.  The UCI (world cycling fed) appealled the Spanish Fed's dismissal to the International Court of Sport Arbitration, and they finally ruled today.

Meanwhile, Lance walks.  I'm quite pleased with both, simply because while Lance most certainly doped, he is retired and gone, along with all the dopers he raced against in that sad era.  Contador, is still racing in an era which is making some real efforts to clean the sport up.  (Also, it wasn't my tax dollars in the Contador case )

Quote:

Originally Posted by newfydog 

(Also, it wasn't my tax dollars in the Contador case )

 

You mean "that paid for the prosecution", I take it.   

Yeah, the big prosecution staff, travelling back and forth to Europe, all to nail Armstong, the big fish, the career making catch.  If the public good is really served by seeing him prosecuted for blood transfusions during races in 2004, they should go after all his teammates as well.  Somehow common sense prevailed, and the justice department can now go back to getting all those bankers they have been nailing since the 2008 economic meltdown.

It seems a little bit peculiar to me that Contador's story would have been remotely expected to be believed- and yet we do not hear of teams contracting with labs to test athletes' nutritional and other intake -- on their own dime and independently of WADA, independently of race officials.