Spanish Federation expects UCI to appeal Contador verdict.
Appeal? Si.
The Spanish Cycling Protection Federation believes the UCI is not only in vehement disagreement with their decision to absolve Alberto Contador but ready to battle them in a Swiss court.
The federation’s legal adviser, Luis Sanz, told AS: “We are sure that the UCI is going to challenge Contador’s absolution.”
The most revealing quote from the folks who cleared Contador after his positive for clenbuterol was the following gem: “We will have to study the weak parts of the decision and Contador’s team will also have to revise their arguments. The whole dossier will have to be strengthened before it is presented."
Twisted Spoke reads that statement as "Alberto's case was weak but good enough for us here in Spain to let him off. We know we'll have to make it stronger to win in the Court for Arbitration in Sport."
What does that tell you about nationalism, favoritism, cronyism, bullshitism? The Spanish Federation and Contador's lawyers are now working together. God knows, they've made several bizarre rulings lately. No doubt Spanish prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero will be tweeting his support again when it's time for CAS to deliver a verdict.
The fact is, the UCI is on a roll now, they've got their confidence and legal momentum back after CAS ruled against Franco Pellizotti. The biological passport withstood the big hit, no fuel rods were exposed and the containment vessel is intact.
Pat McQuaid's boys are gearing up for the showdown with El Pistolero feeling pretty good about their dice roll. Yes, they'll have to compromise on the radio ban but they think they can get the full Contador ban.
According to those familiar with CAS-Speed, a verdict is unlikely to come before September. Plenty of time to strengthen that case and for Alberto Contador to ride -- and win -- another Tour de France.
As the old cycling expression goes, "non-chapeau."