Why was contador booed

The Dane said: "If you don't agree that Alberto is riding, you should question the system and not so much us or him. Contador is unsure of his physical state after winning May's Tour of Italy in a race many described as the toughest Grand Tour ever.

As in , the race begins without a prologue, Saturday's kilometre road stage between Passage du Gois and Mont des Alouettes Les Herbiers opening the Tour. He added: "It's not the best race for me, it's not the best route.

I would like for there to be much more time-trialling. In each of the last two years Contador has won ahead of Andy Schleck and the Spaniard believes the Luxembourg rider will once again be his greatest challenger for the maillot jaune by the race's end in Paris. He said: "If I had to name one rival that would be Andy Schleck but there are lots of other riders who have a good chance of winning as well as young riders riding for victory too. Contador booed at presentation Defending Tour de France champion Alberto Contador says the possibility he could be stripped of the title is "ridiculous'.

Contador: Back to defend his title and very much in media spotlight. Hamilton: efforts 'underappreciated' amid Verstappen pace. If he had asked me, I would have given it to him out of respect. The Shark concludes: "If Alberto should ever have a bad day His life have been more complicated if Szmyd were in better condition.

So far, everything has been working in his favour. Giro d'Italia and Fondazione Umberto Veronesi together to spread a message of health and well-being. Il Giro d'Italia. Giro d'Italia the poster The toughest race in world's most beautiful place: download Giro poster! Stages of health Giro d'Italia and Fondazione Umberto Veronesi together to spread a message of health and well-being. The announcer revealed it was Chavanel's birthday - the Frenchman turned 32 - and so the crowd was only too pleased to sing him 'Happy Birthday'.

Lampre-ISD were brought in in a horse-drawn carriage, a Bradley Wiggins-led Sky team were accompanied into the arena by a gaggle of Spanish dancers, while BMC turned up in the back of a vintage van, and promptly sent an inattentive TV cameraman flying as he leaped backwards to avoid getting his feet run over. And the crowd loved it.

It got a good laugh, but whether the Norwegian sprinter knew how much he looked like world champion Laurent Brochard was never established. Saxo Bank-SunGard were saved until last as the team containing the defending Tour champion. But as he was presented to the crowds, Alberto Contador was greeted by boos, jeers and whistles, although they just about stopped short of giving him the thumbs down and sending in the lions.

The Spaniard had no choice but to put on a brave face, just as he had at the Saxo Bank press conference earlier in the day in response to the questions as to whether he should really be at the start of the race having tested positive here 12 months ago.

How spectators will react to him out on the roads remains to be seen, but he may need to be shielded as much as possible by his Saxo Bank team-mates.