Ortega positive to EPO, Contador denies again

Just documenting it as it falls... not that I can really tell you much about Ortega anyway. As for Contador, well he seems to get pinned with everything that moves in Spain now, no matter how slim the evidence.

Portugal Stage Winner Ortega Tests Positive For EPO | Cyclingnews.com

Carlos Pereira, sports director for the Portuguese Continental team Barbot-Siper, has admitted to A Bola that one of his riders, Joaquín Ortega, tested positive for EPO prior to the Tour of Portugal. Ortega won the sixth stage of the national event, but returned a positive sample before the stage race and will now face a two-year ban, on top of losing his victory.

Contador Denies Link To Madrid Doping Suspect | Cyclingnews.com

Interviú describes Fernández Alba, who works at the SPE “clinical gym” in Majadahonda, north of Madrid, as Contador’s “manager, discoverer and coach”. However, it appears that the pair’s only connection is via the Madrid regional cycling team that Contador rode for before turning pro.

In a statement, Contador’s press officer, Jacinto Vidarte, has said: “Alberto Contador categorically denies the information published in Interviú magazine in which it is stated that the current president of the Madrid’s Cycling Federation was his discoverer and manager, as well as being a client of his at the centre where he is a technical director in the town of Majadahonda.”

If in Mexico don't eat the Clenbuterol...err, meat

It seems Spanish meat is clean, although Contador may argue otherwise - but a reported 18% of Mexican meat is contaminated with Clenbuterol. So don't eat the meat. Seems simple enough.

OTOH Clenbuterol seems to be all the rage this year. Perhaps it should be added to drinking water as well, just so everyone is covered (and contaminated) to the same degree. Think of it like fluoridation.

Rudy Van Houts Tests Positive For Clenbuterol | Cyclingnews.com

Dutch MTBer of the year claims results came from contaminated Mexican meat

Dutch mountain biker of the year Rudy van Houts has tested positive for Clenbuterol. He returned the positive doping control immediately after returning from a trip to Mexico in late October.

“I know I am innocent,” he said in a press release issued Thursday. “In Mexico we ate a lot of meat, it is possible the Clenbuterol was in this food. Otherwise I wouldn't know how the Clenbuterol came into my body.

Retired Astarloa gets 2 years anyway. Any pro riders left in Spain?

I'm wondering if there are any Spanish professionals left... OK, cheap shot - there are plenty. Astarloa was a star, though, if not as big a catch as Valverde was - or perhaps Contador will be (maybe). We'll have to wait for Contador's outcome and possible appeal.. perhaps in time for Le Tour 2011? 

SBS: Cycling Central : Astarloa banned two years, fined

Spain's 2003 world road race champion Igor Astarloa has been banned from cycling for two years and fined 35,000 euros for doping, the International Cycling Union announced.

"The International Cycling Union (UCI) announces that following its request for proceedings against the Spanish rider Igor Astarloa Askasibar for a breach of the Anti-Doping Rules on the basis of his biological passport," the UCI said in a prepared statement. "The Disciplinary Commission of the Spanish Cycling Federation (RFEC) has decided to sanction the rider by a two-year suspension from 26 November 2010 and €35.000 fine.