Although several days have passed since the doping ban verdict for Tour de France champion Alberto Contador, reports on the issue have not subsided. Spanish media revealed that recently, thousands of people gathered in front of the government square, all wearing Contador’s mask, holding a large-scale cycling event to support the cycling star.
Due to testing positive for the banned substance clenbuterol in a urine test, the renowned Spanish cyclist Contador was not only stripped of his 2010 Tour de France title but also given a two-year ban. Contador appealed the decision and even participated in a lie detector test with the investigation team, but ultimately failed to overturn the outcome. Especially after the announcement of his punishment, a French TV station produced a video using a cartoon image of Rafael Nadal to mock that Spaniards’ athletic achievements are “tainted.” The Spanish national football and basketball teams were also implicated.
Clearly, this unjust accusation has stirred dissatisfaction among the Spanish public. On the 12th, local time, nearly 2,000 people gathered in front of the government square to hold a cycling event in support of their hero. Supporters from dozens of cities wore masks printed with Contador’s face—some were uniformly produced and printed, while others were handmade simpler versions at home. Regardless, the message these citizens wanted to convey was the same: standing firmly behind Alberto Contador. The organizer of the event specially showed the media his elaborate mask and the sign he held, which read: “Alberto, we’re with you.” The cycling event drew tens of thousands of onlookers.
On the day, the central figure in the doping case, Contador, also arrived at the scene in training gear. The overwhelming crowd moved the seasoned cyclist, who repeatedly expressed gratitude for the tremendous support from his fellow countrymen. Marca reported that since last Wednesday, similar cycling events have been taking place across Spain, with participants portraying Contador as a wronged child in urgent need of support. The event organizer revealed that their protest rides will continue, with another event expected to draw around 700 participants in March. In recent years, Spain has achieved remarkable success in the sports arena, excelling in football, tennis, cycling, and basketball. Evidently, the Spanish public is using this way to protest the unfair treatment their athletes have received.
