Contador fails drug test

[HLaB]

Breaking News on this on the BBC Website. When I say news, it's news that there may be news tomorrow.

The BBC are usually 24hours behind everyone else in their news, does that mean today is Thursday

 

[rich p]

The word on the street, well cyclingnews anyway, is that he will get a year's ban.

Seems odd to me - if he's deemed to be guilty then it should be 2 years and if innocent, then nothing.

Do you think they'll offer him a reduced sentence if he doesn't take them to appeal or court?

 

[Ghost Donkey]

The word on the street, well cyclingnews anyway, is that he will get a year's ban.

Seems odd to me - if he's deemed to be guilty then it should be 2 years and if innocent, then nothing.

Do you think they'll offer him a reduced sentence if he doesn't take them to appeal or court?

Would a ban be deferred if the case is referred for arbitration? It makes sense to make a decision before the season kicks off. The last thing we need is for him to be potentially winning races with a ban looming over him.

 

[Paulus]

Just heard it on Sky/murdoch news, The Spanish cycling federation have banned him for one year.

 

[gavintc]

The word on the street, well cyclingnews anyway, is that he will get a year's ban.

Seems odd to me - if he's deemed to be guilty then it should be 2 years and if innocent, then nothing.

Do you think they'll offer him a reduced sentence if he doesn't take them to appeal or court?

Yes, this was my take on hearing he might get only a 1 year ban. Does that make him only slightly a cheat and if so, I think the door is open for an appeal.

 

[gb155]

1 year ban, stripped of last years TdF

 

[gavintc]

So, does Contador retain his TdF win with this verdict or will we see Schlek moved into the no1 slot?

Just spotted gb155's post - interesting as Schlek as a statement / interview on Cyclingnews

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/schleck-gutted-and-disappointed-after-losing-tour-de-france

Too much of a co-incidence to be posted on 26 Jan.

 

[yello]

I've just heard on French TV that the ban will be a year, but it is not yet official. The Spanish federation have said it'll be announced tomorrow

http://www.cyclingne...on-due-thursday

and a later report seems to be confirm the ban

http://www.cyclingne...uterol-positive

I think we can say it's a year... but will UCI be happy with that?

Edit: reword to say that the ban is not yet official

 

[yello]

I have to say (after reading around) I hope it's not a 1 year ban - that's a can of worms decision, neither fish nor fowl. Both Contador AND UCI/WADA would appeal that one! So either the full 2 years or let him off completely. I just don't see how the compromise decision can be justified.

I'm going to be very interested in what the Spanish Federation say tomorrow.

 

[rich p]

Would a ban be deferred if the case is referred for arbitration? It makes sense to make a decision before the season kicks off. The last thing we need is for him to be potentially winning races with a ban looming over him.

If he's banned for a year, as seems likely now, he will be allowed back in September this year having been suspended in September 2010.

 

[iAmiAdam]

So, tomorrow we find out whether Contador is riding the tour this year. Taking bets...

 

[Stange]

So, tomorrow we find out whether Contador is riding the tour this year. Taking bets...

I can't see it myself.

 

[iAmiAdam]

The one year ban seems to be official.

http://www.saxobanksungard.com/ny_news.asp?lang=uk&n_id=3036

 

[raindog]

Yep, that's it - and strippeed of last year's win.
Worra farce,really.

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news...-banned-for-a-year-has-10-days-to-appeal.html

 

[rich p]

It's not over yet I suspect.

WADA or the UCI will have to appeal to CAS or else lose all credibility. not that the UCI have far to go in that respect.

Contador had threatened to retire if he was banned - well Bertie?