The route for La Vuelta a España has now been announced, including the first ever night- time team time trial, taking the idea directly from Formula 1. This does not seem like a particularly brilliant idea to me, 9 cyclists at top speed, shadows from the lighting or possible lack of it, roads which may or may not be in good condition, possibly even dirty or wet. This has all the qualities needed to create some huge accidents and injuries, leaving teams short of riders immediately. This idea is almost as brilliant as the one to start the Giro 2011 in Washington D.C., then have the riders fly back to Italy and start racing on one days rest. Sometimes I think the sport’s organizers are the ones taking the drugs!
With the announcement of the route, the speculation about Alejandro Valverde has begun. At this moment he will only be able to participate in the Vuelta, as the Tour de France will enter Italy next year. This, however, may change as now the UCI and WADA have involved themselves in the case against Valverde, which will be heard in January. That makes it seem like there must be some pretty compelling evidence against him.
From what I have seen and heard about this case, I have to say that the longer it goes on, the worse it looks for Valverde. We have seen numerous times in the past, cyclists denying any connection with drugs until the final moment when they have no choice but to accept their punishment and apologize to all their disillusioned fans. I have seen denials from Valverde as to any involvement with Dr. Fuentes, denials of ever having failed a drug test, denials of the right of Italian courts to use evidence gained in Operation Puerto because of the ruling of Spanish judges, but I have never seen a statement from him denying ever having used drugs. I hope that all his denials are not just another disappointment for his fans and not just another black mark against the sport.
With the announcement of the route, the speculation about Alejandro Valverde has begun. At this moment he will only be able to participate in the Vuelta, as the Tour de France will enter Italy next year. This, however, may change as now the UCI and WADA have involved themselves in the case against Valverde, which will be heard in January. That makes it seem like there must be some pretty compelling evidence against him.
From what I have seen and heard about this case, I have to say that the longer it goes on, the worse it looks for Valverde. We have seen numerous times in the past, cyclists denying any connection with drugs until the final moment when they have no choice but to accept their punishment and apologize to all their disillusioned fans. I have seen denials from Valverde as to any involvement with Dr. Fuentes, denials of ever having failed a drug test, denials of the right of Italian courts to use evidence gained in Operation Puerto because of the ruling of Spanish judges, but I have never seen a statement from him denying ever having used drugs. I hope that all his denials are not just another disappointment for his fans and not just another black mark against the sport.
La ruta de la Vuelta a España ya se ha anunciado, incluyendo por primera vez una cotrareloj por equipos nocturna cuya idea se ha tomado directamente de Formula 1. Esto no me parece una idea particularmente brillante, nueve ciclistas al máximo de velocidad, sombras por la iluminación o posiblemente falta de ella, carreteras que podrían o no estar en buen estado, posiblemente incluso sucias o mojadas. Esto tiene todas las caracteristicas necesarias para que se producuzcan grandes accidentes y heridas, dejando a los equipos con pocos ciclistas de inmediato. Esta idea es casi tan buena como la de empezar el Giro 2011 en Washington D.C., y despues hacer a los ciclistas volar de vuelta a Italia para comenzar la carrera allí después de un día de descanso. ¡Algunas veces pienso que los organizadores de eventos deportivos son los que toman drogas!
Con el anuncio de la ruta, la especulación acerca de Alejandro Valverde ha comenzado. En este momento él solo puede participar en la Vuelta porque el Tour este año entra en Italia. Esto, sin embargo, puede cambiar porque ahora la UCI y la WADA se han involucrado en el caso contra Valverde. Esto hace que parezca que hay alguna evidencia convincente contra él. Por lo que he visto e oido acerca del caso, he de decir, que cuanto mas tiempo pasa, peor esta la situación para Valverde. Hemos visto numerosas veces en el pasado ciclistas negando cualquier conexión con las drogas hasta el momento final cuando no tenían otra opción más que aceptar su sanción y disculparse a todos sus desilusionados seguidores. He oido a Valverde negando tener relación con el Dr. Fuentes, negando que haya dado positivo en algún análisis, negando el derecho de los juzgados italianos a usar las evidencias obtenidas en la Operación Puerto por la decision de un juez español, pero nunca le he oido decir ninguna frase negando que haya tomado drogas. Espero que todas sus negaciones no sean otra desilusión para sus seguidores y no solo otra mancha negra en el deporte.
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