Try again. Busted links. When the URL gets too long, it is truncated and results in 404. Put [url] before the URL and [/url] after and the entire string will link. I couldn't easily backtrack the CyclingNews article about Contador, so you try the [URL] trick.

http://www.sportsscientists.com/2009/07/tour-de-france-2009-contador-vo2max.html

Unfortunately this is what cycling has come to. If you are on top of the sport the question has to come up about whether or not you are clean. I find it a little funny that cyclists think they can still take the "How dare you ask me about doping?!" approach to the subject. Teams like Garmin that go out of their way to build in transparency in test results and push for clean riders in the peleton have at least made an effort to clean up the sport (or at least give the image of cleaning it up), and I have a little more respect for them.

To be honest my gut tells me, "yeah...that little Spaniard is probably on something." Its the same view I have with baseball, if it looks too good to be true then it probably is. But, that doesn't mean I'm going to stop being a fan, its just sad that doping has to always be at the forefront of conversation during the Tour.

But, I also think that the majority of Americans take a somewhat hypocritical view of our athletes. We are quick to blast someone who is taking a PED (whether cycling, baseball, you name the sport). But if you walk into any gym you will see the full spectrum of "quick fix" dietary supplements that many people use. Whether its to bulk up, lose weight, or have more energy, most people will try anything to get that edge in their life. Now, I understand that most of these products are legal, but does that change the end result. Many products sold over the couner today may be banned in the future, we see it all the time. So if a large portion of society is willing to go to the local GNC and buy whatever the new "Wonder Supplement" is, why would we expect athletes to act any differently? Their careers ultimately depend on it, so for some of these guys its ride in obscurity within the peleton or take a little something and be a GC contender. If you're financial security depends on your riding ability that's one heck of a decision that has to be made. Just saying.

My 2 cents are I think he's on something, but I also think many others are as well.

i saw an article on cyclingnews about how many times they've tested each rider from astana, but i cant find the article again. Contador is being tested alot, however, many of the people behind these PEDs purposely make them undetectable, at least, until the UCI and other Anti-Doping Agencies catch up with them. Still, it always seems that cyclists find some sort of drug that is undetectable at the time, but then later on they get caught.

Professional cyclists have been doping themselves since the sport began. There's really no way of knowing who is or isn't and it's kind of frustrating because you think to yourself, "There's no way somebody can perform at that level or do what they do without some assistance." But as we know (or like to think), there's no limit/ noone can predict the limits of the hman body or what we can overcome and do. It's really easy to say that a pro cyclist is doping because we're so familiar with it and it's been happening for so long, but to have a little faith in human strength and endurance is also tempting. Also, you can't trust anybody's word anymore; there have been dozens of instances where people have sworn up and down only to be proven a liar later on or break down and confess. So I guess it's just wholly ambiguous and maybe should be. I think testing is good to keep them honest but there will always be those that don't play fair. So, what you don't know can't hurt you and when we can accept that it's going to happen but try to see the honesty and good in everyone, we'll be better off. So we can go through it as cynics or as innocents but I'll be somewhere in between watching these athletes and working hard to catch up. All natural of course.

the IOC has introduced a retroactive doping program for the Olympics. if they develop a test for something after your race, they will redistribute the medals and records

it's a hedgy place to be ethics wise (because if something is culturally acceptable at one time and then moves to banned side of things, the athlete is screwed for trying to play within the rules), but i applaud the good intentions