News in Marca and La Vanguardia that Contador has tested positive four times for Clenbuterol seems to make his case worse. But that’s not the case. The reducing quantity of the banned substance discovered each day, except for a pick up on the final Sunday, suggests this was simply the Clenbuterol leaving his body. As … Read more
Today is Groundhog Day. In the town of Punxsutawney in Pennsylvania a small rodent is used as a portent for the fate of the upcoming spring . The groundhog has just announced an early spring. Phil casts a shadow over pro cycling The term took on a new meaning following the 1993 film “Groundhog Day” … Read more
Lance Armstrong has long been a figure of suspicion but today’s revelations in Sports Illustrated include new allegations and more detail on stories that you might have seen before. Down and out? Rather than comments on the specifics, although I’d urge to read the article, I wanted to take a longer look at things. Federal … Read more
The good news is that WADA have a test for plasticisers, the traces of molecules that contaminate blood when it is stored in plastic pouches. According to reports in Spanish newspaper El Pais, the test is close to being validated for anti-doping uses. A refreshing ice cold pint Only don’t get too excited. The test … Read more
“Can you explain the rules to me?”; “Si, Senor” As a follow-up to the news on Contador and the rules relating to the case, some are wondering if he will be able to defend his title next July. For example Cycling Weekly have said that the Spaniard is going to be listed as a Saxo-Sungard … Read more
I get a bit tired when cycling fans try to point out other sports have doping problems. It’s understandable that cycling fans think the sport can victimised. For example the recent arrests in Spain haven’t generated as many headlines as the original Puerto busts. But it’s not an great comparison, Puerto happened on the eve … Read more
You might be thinking “who?” but Igor Astarloa is a Spaniard who had a very strong season in 2003, including the World Championship win. He since faded but the UCI picked up on suspicious bio passport data and has this morning announced he’s been banned for two years. Only he is retired, having stopped riding … Read more
Cycling imposes enormous demands from a physical point of view. It’s necessary to have a serious review in to the length of the grand tours. So says Spanish sports minister Jaime Lissavetzky, who also sits on the executive committee of WADA, in an interview with Marca. The underlying idea here is that the duration and … Read more
In an article on Spanish sports website AS.com, spotted by cyclismactu.net, the agricultural authorities in the Basque Country are annoyed with Contador’s claims of contaminated meat. Foodchain-gate The hypothesis of some beef purchased in Irun is Contador’s escape clause but it comes at the expense of Spanish beef farmers, suggestions of contaminated meat are strong … Read more
As I predicted, the WADA observer report on the UCI’s doping controls in last summer’s Tour de France has turned into a story about night time tests. Mark Cavendish says yes, the association of French pros, the UNCP lead by ex-pro Pascal Chanteur, says non. Most riders haven’t gone public but the vibe is that … Read more