Monday, July 30, 2007 Contador: grit, speed, and luck
ANGOULEME—With Lance Armstrong chattering in his ear, Alberto Contador churned out the miles, his lead dwindling along with the chance to wear the winner’s yellow jersey at a Tour de France that will be remembered for its scandals.
The 24-year-old Discovery Channel cyclist beat the clock in Saturday’s time trial to seal the victory at cycling’s biggest event, where the pre-race favorite was accused of cheating, and the longtime leader was sent home for lying.
Contador entered Saturday’s 19th stage with a 1 minute, 50 second lead over Cadel Evans. When it was over, teammate American Levi Leipheimer had won the stage, and Contador was clinging to a 23-second advantage over Evans, paving the way for a ceremonial ride along the Champs-Elysees in the heart of Paris on Sunday and the first Tour win for Discovery since Armstrong retired.
But perhaps even that celebration will be tainted, as Contador has not been spared the doping suspicions that seem attached to the yellow jersey.
He missed last year’s Tour when his former team, Astana, was disqualified because he and four other riders were implicated in the Spanish blood-doping investigation known as Operation Puerto.
French daily Le Monde, citing what it said was an investigation file to which it had access, said Saturday that Contador’s name, or initials, appeared in documents found at the apartment of the Spanish doctor at the center of the Spanish probe. (AP)
