MADRID, Feb 9, 2012 (AFP) - Spain launched a diplomatic protest Thursday over a satirical puppet show on French TV that implied cyclist Alberto Contador and tennis great Rafael Nadal are drugs cheats. "I spoke last night and this morning with our ambassador in Paris," Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo told a news conference in a growing crisis over the puppet show, which … [Read more...]
The Hills Await 2012 Vuelta Riders
January 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment
MADRID, Jan 11, 2012 (AFP) - This year's Tour of Spain will start in Pamplona on August 18 with a team time trial and the winner unveiled in Madrid on September 9 after a string of demanding stages including six that finish at altitude. One of those climbs is the dreaded Cuitu Negru in the northern Asturias province, graded in parts at 20 percent. The opening time trial in Pamplona … [Read more...]
Spanish Police Make Arrests In Doping Probe
February 18, 2011 By Leave a Comment
MADRID, Feb 18, 2011 - Police in Spain's Catalonia region have dismantled a network that trafficked in performance-enhancing drugs, arresting seven amateur sportsmen, they said Friday. Among the substances seized was clenbuterol, the drug for which three-time Tour de France champion Alberto Contador tested positive last year before being cleared of any wrongdoing by Spain's cycling … [Read more...]
UCI Urges Spain To Get Serious In Doping Fight
October 3, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Spain should be doing more to prevent doping in cycling, International Cycling Union (UCI) chief Pat McQuaid said on Saturday. McQuaid was speaking two days after Tour de France champion Alberto Contador was provisionally suspended after a positive test for clenbuterol, which the Spaniard has blamed on food contamination. While Contador's case gives the UCI a dilemma because of the … [Read more...]
Contador Hands Spain A 13th Tour Crown
July 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Alberto Contador took Spain's tally to 13 wins in 97 editions of the Tour de France when he wrapped up his third victory here on Sunday after wins in 2007 and 2009. Reputed climber Federico Bahamontes, nicknamed the 'Eagle of Toledo', broke new ground for his countrymen by winning the race in 1959 after years of domination by the French, the Italians and Belgians. Following in … [Read more...]
Valverde, Freire and Sanchez Lead Spanish Rainbow Jersey Bid
September 16, 2009 By Leave a Comment
MADRID, Sept 16, 2009 (AFP) - Alejandro Valverde, Oscar Freire and Samuel Sanchez will lead Spain's bid to win the men's road race title at the world cycling championships next week in Mendrisio, Switzerland. All-rounder Valverde is the current Tour of Spain leader and has in the past narrowly missed out on winning cycling's coveted rainbow jersey, a feat achieved by Freire a record-equaling … [Read more...]
Samuel Sanchez Hands Spain A Welcome Cycling Gold Medal In Beijing
August 9, 2008 By Leave a Comment
by Justin Davis JUYONGGUAN, China, Aug 9, 2008 (AFP) - Spanish climber Samuel Sanchez claimed his biggest ever career win when he claimed gold in the men's grueling Olympic road race, held over 245km here on Saturday. Italian Davide Rebellin finished a close second to take the silver medal with Switzerland's Fabian Cancellara placing third to take the bronze. "I can't quite … [Read more...]