David Millar: Alberto Contador not treated fairly

6 comments
By AFP | Thursday, Sep 30, 2010 2.13pm

Britain's David Millar has leapt to the defence of Tour de France champion Alberto Contador after the Spaniard was suspended for a positive test for banned substance clenbuterol.

Three-time yellow jersey winner Contador was provisionally suspended by the International Cycling Union (UCI) Thursday after a sample taken on the second rest day at the Tour de France on July 21 tested positive.

Contador has blamed the test on food contamination, while the UCI said the minute traces of the drug found in the sample warranted "further scientific investigation".

Contador was one of the most tested riders in the Tour de France this year and Millar, who served a two-year ban for doping after admitting to using the banned blood booster EPO (erythropoietin), leapt to his defence.

Moments after earning a silver medal behind Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland in the time trial at the world road race cycling championships, the Scot said Contador was a "fantastic athlete and a great human being" and said the case should never have been revealed while further investigation was needed.

"I think there's a very strong chance that this is being blown way out of proportion...because it's a microdose and it was on a rest day and it makes no sense," said Millar. "It makes no sense because it would have come up in other controls.

"It's a shame that it's been released when it hasn't been resolved. I think it's something that should be resolved behind closed doors and done the way it should be done properly."

"There are strict rules and I think unfortunately in cycling for the right reasons we always jump to the worst-case scenario and because of the history we have in the sport unfortunately maybe Alberto's just maybe been kind of thrown to the sharks.

"I think it will get resolved and I hope so for Alberto's benefit and I hope so for the sport's benefit."

Contador has signed a contract with the Saxo Bank team for 2011, and the Danish outfit run by former yellow jersey champion Bjarne Riis, said it would not comment until the UCI has finished its investigation.

A statement said: "Riis Cycling's management team is reviewing this situation as information becomes available. The UCI has communicated, 'This case required further scientific investigation before any conclusion could be drawn.'

"As the UCI works with WADA to analyze the relevant elements of this case, Riis Cycling will refrain from drawing conclusions or discussing possible consequences.

"It is Riis Cycling's hope that this case can be resolved in an orderly and timely fashion as it is in the best interests of all parties involved that the proper conclusions are drawn within a reasonable period of time.

"Riis Cycling has always held a very strong stance against doping in our sport. The team has had and will continue to have the position that cheating of any form will not be tolerated as it goes against our core values and the desire for a clean sport."

© AFP 2010

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User Comments

There are 6 comments on this post

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  • Microdose that it is could serve to warn ALL that there are no exceptions to the rules !

    UCI annual meeting on Friday now has another item on their agenda and need to get the BIG STICK out, too long they have been lient towards the "SPORTING FRAUDSTERS in the sport !

    4year suspension terms with legtags and TOTAL exclusion from the Sport and ANY Cycling Related Activity will demonstate to the "Weak minded" that there is NO FUTURE in Drugs !

    When an Athlete gives up their source of supply and Team mates involved then a reduction of a year will be merited but "YOU DO THE CRIME , YOU SERVE THE TIME !"

  • That is, of course if he is guilty. They are still investigating, if you read the article. Contador, like everyone else, should be inncocent until proven guilty. Leave the poor guy alone until this is resolved.

  • "Riis Cycling has always held a very strong stance against doping in our sport" But not when you were taking them yourself eh, Bjarne?

  • Lest we forget

    "I put my life and my career in his hands and I gave him €12,000 a year. At the time, I was earning €250,000 in salary. That year, I won €800,000. The targets we had at the end of the EPO treatment were the Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré and the world time-trial championship in Canada. I had taken EPO when I was in Manchester. The two syringes found at my house were the ones with which I injected myself while I was there. I kept them to remind me that I had become world champion at Hamilton while I was doped. I had dreamed of being a world champion but I had done it through trickery. ”

    — David Millar, July 2004.[12] Reference via Wikipedia

    "I think it will get resolved and I hope so for Alberto's benefit and I hope so for the sport's benefit."

    Amazing comment to make when it hasn't been investigated completely.......

  • In the week four Spaniards were pulled up over irregular tests, the issue looks a bit bigger than whether Contador is being treated fairly. This is typical Peloton-speak. 'Such and such isn't being given a chance," etc.

    What about the others? What about the sport? What about the fans who have to believe in the results?

  • Surely the point is that loads of other random drug tests prove -ve (as a final conclusion), despite minor traces (within the limit) being detected beforehand, and nothing is announced, rightly so.

    Why don't the UCI just wait until the results are confirmed. Then, if he's found guilty, arrest him live on TV. But until then, shut up.

    Good on Millar for saying something.

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