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Mark Cavendish wins fifth stage of the Tour of Qatar. (The Team)

After the second stage victory of Tom Boonen Wednesday, here is the second of Mark Cavendish. But it is the Belgian who remains in the lead before the last day.

Already a winner Sunday in the first stage of the Tour of Qatar, Mark Cavendish (Sky) has done it again Thursday at the fifth and penultimate. At Al Khor Corniche, Britain has emerged quite clearly taking the lead 200 meters from the line after floating in the vanguard of a squad stretched by an attack of his teammate Juan Antonio Flecha, well placed to General , flame red.

The Briton finished ahead of two team Liquigas, the Italian Daniel Oss and Peter Sagan of Slovakia, and the promising John Degenkolb (1t4i Project). French side, Arnaud Demare (FDJ-Big Mat), 20, signed his first pro in Top 10 by finishing seventh and Tony Gallopin (RadioShack-Nissan), 23, finished 22nd.

Also winner of two stages, Tom Boonen (Quick Step-Omega Pharma, Photo Team), thirteenth on Thursday, retains its leader’s golden jersey with 31 seconds ahead of the second, Tyler Farrar (Garmin), which team conducted the hunt to return two fumbles on the day, the Polish Maciej Bodnar (Liquigas) and Belarus Aliaksandr Kuchynski (Katusha). Friday, the last step should crown a sprinter and still allow the Belgian to win his fourth Tour of Qatar after 2006, 2008 and 2009.

Alberto Contador suspended two years for doping. (The Team)

Positive for clenbuterol in July 2010, Alberto Contador was suspended two years retroactively. He loses his victory on the Tour and the Giro in 2010 and 2011 may have recourse in August.

This is the strongest punishment he risked and the three judges of the Court of Arbitration for Sport announced Monday 565 days after a doping control which disrupts the global hierarchy of cycling: positive for clenbuterol (anabolic) during the Tour de France in 2010 he had won, Alberto Contador is banned for two years. The Spanish climber loses his victory in the Tour in 2010 and twelve others which successfully collected from the Giro 2011. The CAS has dated the beginning of his suspension to 25 January 2011, taking into account the 6 months served as a precaution before: he can resume competition Aug. 5, 2012 and will miss the next edition of the Tour and the Olympics .

Andy Schleck won the Tour in 2010

After a procedure nearly 18 months, the three judges of the CAS have not retained the defense of the Spanish rider who spoke of food poisoning in meat contaminated with clenbuterol. Since July 2010, Alberto Contador has never stopped running and earn and still maintained his innocence. The Spanish Federation had also heard the arguments of the Saxo Bank rider’s innocence last year. But the International Federation and the World Anti-Doping Agency had appealed against the lenient decision. This sanction will upset the charts the past two seasons: Andy Schleck gets the victory on the Tour de France 2010, Michele Scarponi won the Giro in 2011, an event where John Gadret gets 3rd place.

A fine of 2.5 million?

“The arbitral panel will decide later and in a separate decision on the application filed by the UCI to impose a fine of at least 2.485 million euros to Alberto Contador,” said CAS. The Spanish rider can appeal that decision to the Swiss Federal Court. His lawyers had raised the possibility of an appeal before the European Court of Human Rights.

Alberto Contador’s victories since July 2010

Since the arrival of the Tour de France 2010, during which he had tested positive for clenbuterol, Alberto Contador won twelve victories that will disappear from his record after two-year suspension by the CAS announced Monday. 2011 Tour of Murcia: 2nd stage, 3rd stage and overall Tour of Catalonia: the third stage and overall. Tour of Castilla – Leon: Stage 4 Giro d’Italia: Stage 9, Stage 16, the general classification, points classification Tour de France: 5th overall 2012 Tour de San Luis: Step 3, Step 5

Contador during a doping test at the Tour de France 2011. (Reuters)

In deciding to suspend Alberto Contador for two years, the CAS has favored the hypothesis of contaminated food supplements. The retroactive punishment might deprive Saxo Bank’s World Tour.

How to explain the presence of clenbuterol?

The verdict of the Court of Arbitration for Sport says it clearly. Neither party has challenged the positive test for clenbuterol Alberto Contador, even in minute quantities (50 picograms). The heart of the debate and hearings held responsible for this anabolic substance. The line of defense of Spanish rider (contamination of meat imported from Spain January 20) was quickly dismissed: “Unlike some other countries, especially outside of Europe, Spain is not known to have a problem of contamination of the meat for clenbuterol, consider the three judges in the decision. Moreover, there is no other case of athlete who underwent a doping test for clenbuterol, which was caused by eating meat in Spain. ”

What happened to the hypothesis of a blood transfusion?

According to the arguments of the UCI and WADA, the positive control for clenbuterol and especially the discovery of traces of phthalates (plastic residues) with Alberto Contador could be explained by a blood transfusion. “The blood parameters of the athlete can establish a blood transfusion,” the judges concluded that the CAS has also retained the answers lie detector under the rider. The jury found another hypothesis put forward by the authorities who had used the money: “The presence of clenbuterol was most likely caused by eating contaminated nutritional supplements,” said CAS. At his hearing, Alberto Contador assured that he took food supplements authorized by the physician in Astana, the same as all his teammates.

Why a two-year suspension?

For a first breach of the code violation, the suspension of two years is the maximum sentence qu’encourait Alberto Contador. Certain assumptions and rumors were advancing the idea of ​​a penalty of one year by accepting the idea that the rider had not committed any fault or negligence. For the CAS, there was no reason to shorten the suspension on grounds of “proportionality”. The judges found “no conditions to eliminate or reduce the length of suspension” In particular, they note, “because the contaminated supplement is unknown as are the circumstances surrounding its ingestion.”

Why a suspension retroactive?

The start date of suspension was debate: in theory, the penalty begins with the announcement of the decision except in cases of long delays in the procedure independent of the athlete. This is the argument adopted by the CAS: if the procedure lasted so long, especially before the CAS, it is because of the complexity of legal and scientific record. The judges held January 25, 2011, when the Spanish Federation had proposed a penalty of one year, taking into account the suspension as an interim measure that preceded (5 months and 19 days).

Consequences for Saxo Bank?

The nine victories of Alberto Contador, including the overall Giro d’Italia, the Tour of Murcia and the Tour of Catalonia have weighed heavily in the balance of the team. Third World Tour, the Spanish climber was instrumental in 9th place at Saxo Bank team ranking (determined according to the performance of the top five runners). By removing its 471 points, Saxo Bank has finished 18th and last of the first division. Training has seen his case studied in depth by the UCI, even being relegated in favor of Continental Pro team as Europcar. “The licensing commission will hold a meeting with Saxo Bank at the request of the UCI, assured the spokesman Enrico Carpani UCI. In principle, Saxo Bank could lose its license, but not to the UCI to decide. “Bjarne Riis and his team wait for Tuesday to speak out and save the day. In sporting terms, the Danes will have trouble finding a replacement for Pistolero. If he becomes licensed, it is even safer to be in the Tour.

Contador supported by the Spanish sports (AFP)

In Spain, sports fans and have continued since Monday lunchtime to denounce the injustice of the suspension of Alberto Contador.

It is in his apartment in a residential area of ​​Pinto – a suburb of Madrid – surrounded by loved Alberto Contador learned Monday that he was stripped of his Tour de France victory in 2010 and banned for two years. While waiting to speak to reporters Tuesday night, the Spaniard was able to count on support from his fans and sports stars Spanish. Since Monday afternoon, fans and people of Pinto demonstrate their loyalty to the rider, in a fervor that extends nationally. Thus, the great sports daily Marca asked its users: “The penalty of SAD seems to you correct? “Tuesday morning, 84% of 47,000 voters were inclined to injustice. “They go to death without evidence Spanish cyclists,” growls a surfer. Twit, the watchword # ApoyoAlbertoContador (support Alberto Contador) has a great success: “All they do is to Contador because the French do not support the success of Spanish sports” gets carried away AntellSE, like many Spaniards.

Nadal: “Pitiful”

Athletes also went out of their reserves to denounce the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Rafael Nadal has described his disbelief on Twitter: “There is no absolute proof, and they inflict the worst punishment … Pathetic … I’m behind you, champ. You have my support! “In cycling, the outrage is appropriate:” The decision has no logic, “said Carlos Sastre, winner of the Tour de France 2008. “They are losing the north in the fight against doping,” said Pedro Delgado, 1988 yellow jersey. “If the case had involved a cyclist less known, the penalty would have more light. The authorities remain on the same line: “We must respect that decision but we do not share,” said the president of the Spanish cycling federation Juan Carlos Castano.

In an environment where emotional has expressed much the mainstream daily El Pais brings a more nuanced analysis. “The case was handled politically Contador with a lot of awkwardness. It must be remembered that the Spanish Federation sought to impose a year’s suspension. The UCI and WADA would have accepted: Contador but wanted to be cleared. Prime Minister Zapatero said that there was “no reason to sanction Contador” (…) On the same facts, an organization innoncenté, another inflicts the maximum sentence. Despite the legal labyrinth, assent to Contador and reactions show that in Spain there is a more tolerant view and abroad on doping. “

Louis Saha joined the Spurs the last day of the winter transfer window. (AFP)

Transferred in the last day of the transfer window in Tottenham, Louis Saha seems condemned to a role of “super sub” in the Spurs. However, he did not hesitate to join them. His explanations.

There had already had contacts in the past, but they had nothing concrete resulted. So when Tottenham came back to the load at the end of the transfer window, Louis Saha “has struggled to hesitate.” At six months of the end of his contract with the Toffees striker aged 33 decided to swap his costume holder at Everton for that of the “super sub” (“super substitute”) in the Spurs. “But I was not thinking in those terms. What I watched, this is the challenge, he says. I would not have gone if it was not Tottenham. The team is third, it develops an offensive game, attractive, which is fast. There are sensational players, the coach is ambitious … I could not refuse. ”

Monday night, the former Manchester United has made his debut on the lawn … Liverpool, Everton’s hereditary enemy. “It was special, obviously, he smiles. Anyway, I felt good and I received a warm welcome Tottenham supporters. I hope to restore their confidence with goals. ” Third choice behind Emmanuel Adebayor in attack and Jermain Defoe, Saha knows that it will be difficult to shake up the hierarchy – “it would have been easier if I was five years younger” – but it still says “confident that it can bring something “to the Spurs. “In England, the matches are intense, he recalls. At one point, there will be room and it will take his chance. I’m not just there to play bits of matches. I intend to help the team to snatch the points. The objective is the C1. ”

After three and a half seasons at Everton, Saha himself to offer what looks like a last challenge. The last, really? “I signed for a short time (six months plus one year option), nuance there. I hope to continue the adventure, but I know very well that my days are numbered and that I will not play another ten years. We will take stock at the end of the season. ” In the meantime, the French international does not exclude a surprise, he who had been called by Laurent Blanc for the first two qualifying matches at the Euro against Belarus (against which he was injured when his comes into play) and Bosnia. “I think because I’m always selectable. I have not taken my retirement and I am someone who has always had great ambitions. ” Lucid, he concedes that the Blues are not (yet) its “primary objective”. “The goal is first to play at Tottenham.”

Fabio Capello has resigned, following the John Terry. (Reuters)

Fabio Capello is no longer the England coach for several hours, but already the question arises: Has the Italian done right to resign? Elements of response.

It was right

To stay true to its principles if Fabio Capello is here today is because man has principles. Cheers 66 years, we never change! He who had all previously won wherever he had gone, before making that final decision, do not like being told what to. This was the case in Italy, Milan, Rome and Juventus. But more to Madrid, where despite gleaned titles with Real, the two passages (1996-1997 and 2006-2007) have not left a lasting impression. The technician, who in Spain for example, had set his conditions for accepting back the second time, always wants to control everything (club management, recruitment, training …). The argument raised on Wednesday night, to justify his decision to leave his post proves: Capello has remained true to its guideline. “They (members of the FA) insulted me and undermined my authority, he said. I have never tolerated that certain lines are crossed. ”

It was no longer unanimous in the locker room Upon the announcement of his departure, the expressions of support have poured in public. Some players like Jack Wilshere have even thanked for his work. But privately, he whispers that other international would be relieved of this epilogue. Lampard, who lost his starting spot? Rooney, who did not know very well what to expect from his suspension? And others? Doubt in the locker room had interfered. Capello there were many more allies.

The whole country wants the return of an Englishman immediately accepted his resignation by the FA and Fabio Capello was quick to see the flower names in the media about his successor. The most often cited? Harry Redknapp, current Tottenham coach, who might be tempted by the adventure. Stuart Pearce, in charge of Hopes, could also do the trick, because he is English. After the episodes Capello and Eriksson, the country wants to return to traditions. Not sure in these conditions as Guus Hiddink and Jose Mourinho match the profile.

It was wrong

He sports the best record in 15 years if Capello will be very sorry for a thing in England, it’s excellent record sports. Certainly it will not win anything at the head of the Three Lions and its elimination in the round of the 2010 World Cup does not argue in its favor. However his games-victories ratio remains the highest (66.7%) over the last fifteen years. With 28 achievements since 2007, 8 draws and 6 losses in 42 games, the Italian is better than Glen Hoddle (60.7%), Sven-Goran Eriksson (59.7%), Steve McLaren (50%), Terry Venables (47.8%) or Kevin Keegan (38.9%), its predecessors.

It will end on a negative note two days after accepting the leadership of the England in 2007, Fabio Capello had said in the wake that it would probably his last challenge. “After a long career as football, it would be nice to finish on a great note,” he said. Only then, he never imagined such an outcome certainly not. Regrets, in retrospect, it would not be surprising that he has. But the point to change your mind plunge? Only an ultimate challenge, new, exciting or emotional, is a priori able to convince him.

His image could suffer in this way taking the defense of John Terry, Capello is a risk of retaliation. Because the case is beyond the scope of football. It is about justice. Its strong support towards the now former England international captain, accused of racist insults in full match against Anton Ferdinand could be misunderstood by the public. At the worst time, one to say goodbye and leave a trace. – HS